Is it possible to paint bricks

How to design an entertainment room. How to upgrade your blinds for your new home. The modern dining room. How to design a great backyard. Informal holiday entertaining tips. Skip to Main Content. Saved Articles icon Saved Articles. What to consider before you paint brick Household 4 min read.

Should you paint your brick? Ken Gutmaker Architectural Photography. Greymark Construction Company. The best paint for brick Keep in mind that exterior and interior walls should be treated differently, because exterior brick comes into contact with ground elements. The Brick Industry Association also advises using a porous paint for exterior brick walls, so the brick can breathe. Was this article helpful? Careers at Performance Painting. Human Resources. Jacksonville Craig Industrial Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL Phone: Performance Painting is proud to sponsor events throughout Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Learn More. Search Our Site. Professional Painting Knowledge Base. Better Information, Better Decisions. First Clean the brick The first thing you need to do is to make sure the brick is clean. Painting the brick Apply a latex primer to the brick.

Written by Kevin Hughes. Leave a Comment. Recent Posts. About Us. Careers at Performance Painting Human Resources. Contact us. Latest Blog Posts. Although any DIYer can paint brick, there are certain precautions and procedures to follow to ensure color success.

Before painting brick , always clean it thoroughly so that your application of paint better adheres. Dirt and efflorescence should come off with soapy water and some diligent scrubbing with a stiff-bristled brush. Need something stronger? Try trisodium phosphate TSP. A half cup of TSP mixed into a gallon of water ought to do the trick.

If you happen to own, or are willing to rent, a pressure washer, consider using one, especially if you need to clean a relatively large expanse of brickwork. Where you encounter mildew, apply a solution of one part bleach to three parts water.

After letting it soak for half an hour, proceed to scrub the area with a wire brush. Never use acid cleaning solutions, any of which might compromise your paint job. Wait at least a year before painting it. If the installation has already been in place for decades, check the mortar for signs of damage and repair small cracks with acrylic caulk.

With more pronounced issues, repointing the brick may be necessary. Whether or not you make any repairs, remember that brick must be completely dry for the paint to adhere successfully. Depending on the area of the surface you wish to paint, use a brush or roller or paint sprayer to apply a coat of latex primer.