Painting brick isn't as simple as painting drywall or wood siding, but it can be done. The first question you should ask is whether it should be done, since undoing it later is difficult-to-impossible. If your brick is hopelessly stained, faded or just plain ugly, then the next step to painting brick is to make sure you get the paint to adhere properly.
Prepare the Surface
The brick has to be clean and free of any structural damage to hold the paint. If there are crumbling areas on or between the bricks, use a heavy metal scraper to pull off all loose material, then fill the cracks with acrylic caulk. Go over the whole surface with a heavy wire brush to scrape off dirt and grit. Vacuum the surface with a vacuum hose attachment to pull out any loose dust from the crevices.
Prime
Use a latex exterior primer-sealer to prime the brick in preparation for the paint. (Use an exterior product even if you're painting indoor brick, but in that case, make sure to ventilate the room.) Use a brush to cut in the corners, then apply the rest of it with a thick roller, starting in an upper corner and working your way down. The primer should be applied in a thin coat, but should cover all the brick. As you're painting, go back over the areas just covered to brush away any drips. Pay special attention to the mortar lines, as paint can gather there.
Paint
Use latex paint of whatever finish you want, keeping in mind that high-gloss is the easiest to clean. Cut in the edges and corners first with a brush. Use a thick roller to apply the paint on the middle of the wall. If the mortar lines are deep, you may have to go back over them with a brush, then re-roll the brick face with the roller. Again, watch for paint drips. Follow up with a second coat after it dries.
Related posts
Painting preparation can go a long way.Painting a room is one of the easiest ways to spruce up your home and add some character. Through various different painting techniques, you can make a room...
Uneven surfaces make stucco a hard surface to paint.Composed from sand, cement and lime, stucco can present a difficult surface for painters to tackle. Because of its rough, irregular surface, it...
Painting brick is not much different from painting drywall or any other surface in your home. The difference lies in the preparation techniques that will help your painted brick walls or fireplace...
Interior brick wall.Typically, when a person is painting interior brick wall, it is because it is already chipped, peeled or scratched. However, a "distressed look" is a very popular tec...
Acrylic urethane paints are a thicker paint that can be used for wood or metal applications. The paint can be applied with a color pigment to it or it can be applied as a clear gloss coat that dri...
