Best Overall: Wooster Brush Q3211-2. Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Home Depot. A good, multipurpose brush isn’t too big or small so it can remain versatile. For most projects, a two inch width is perfect for covering medium to large surfaces like walls in a short amount of time. The porous brick will absorb the whitewash as it dries, so the brick may appear whiter than you want at first. If necessary, use a narrower paint brush to whitewash the mortar, the edges of the brick and any other spots that might be hard to reach. Let the whitewash dry overnight. 11 brushes representing brick walls. The brushes can be used to add texture to your backgrounds for websites, twitter backgrounds, etc. They are compatible with Photoshop CS3 and up. You are free to use them any way you want.

Brick surfaces are capable of providing a beautiful, natural appearance all on their own. However, there are still many reasons that people decide to paint a brick surface. Brick can be a somewhat difficult material to paint, because they have a bumpy, uneven texture. This can make it difficult to provide an even layer of paint over the surface, as well as ensure that the paint will stick securely to the surface. Here are a few of the things that you need to know about how to paint brick surfaces.

Repair the Brick

Ensure that you carefully inspect your brick surface prior to painting. Make any repairs that are necessary before you begin the painting process. When you use caulk to fill in cracks, it is important to give the caulk enough time to set properly before you paint over it. These steps can go a long way toward protecting both the appearance and condition of your brick wall. While it may seem like paint is sufficient at covering the appearance of the cracks, a layer of paint will do nothing to prevent the damage from escalating.

Prepare the Brick Surface

You need to ensure that you carefully prepare the brick surface before you begin to paint. This helps to remove harmful particles from the brick in order to ensure a surface that is more capable of holding the paint. The first step is to carefully clean the surface of the brick. This helps to remove mildew, dirt, and cobwebs that can otherwise accumulate on the surface of the brick. Pressure washing can be a valuable method for preparing the brick surface before you paint it. This is particularly beneficial for exterior surfaces, as it will help to cut through the grime that will accumulate on the surface of your building.

Allow Brick to Age

New brick is not the beautiful blank canvas that it would appear to be. New brick is an extremely porous surface and it won’t hold paint very well, which will result in a less than ideal paint job. If possible, you should let the brick age for approximately a year to ensure that it has sufficient time to weather before painting. However, at a minimum you should wait at least a month before painting a new brick surface.

Use Primer

It can be tempting to skip the layer of primer before you paint your brick surface, especially because you will have to wait for the primer to dry. However, primer is incredibly important when you intend to paint your brick surface. The primer you use will help to ensure that the paint will be able to stick to the surface of the brick. Never skip the primer layer when you intend to paint a brick surface, because the primer helps to ensure that the paint adheres to the surface of the brick.

Check the Weather

It is crucial to ensure that you stay up-to-date regarding the weather before you begin the paint job. When the weather interrupts your paint job, it will cause a lower quality of paint job. When you are painting the exterior of your building, you need to ensure that the weather will remain good until the paint job will have dried completely. The last thing you want is for inclement weather to mitigate the effort that you put into your new paint job. The right season can also help to ensure the best possible paint job.

Choose the Right Paint

Whether you are painting the interior or exterior of your property, it is important to choose the right paint when you are painting brick. When you don’t do so, it is likely that you will implement low-quality paint that will result in a low-quality paint job. Choose a paint that is resistant to UV rays in order to prevent fading from exposure to the sun. You will also want a paint that is capable of handling exposure to the elements when it is outdoors. The right paint will ensure a much more beautiful paint job that will last for much longer.

Best Brick Paint Colors

Use the Appropriate Tools

Best Paint Brush For Exterior Brick

Brick can be difficult to paint because it has a rough, uneven surface. When you use the appropriate tools, you will simplify the process of painting a brick surface. In most situations, a paint sprayer will be the ideal option for painting brick, because it will help to provide an even layer of paint that is able to penetrate the nooks and crannies of a brick surface. If you are unable to use a paint sprayer for whatever reason, you should use a roller with a thick nap. This will help to provide a better paint job on a brick surface than those with a thinner nap. You will also need to use the right safety equipment to ensure a safe painting process, such as ladders to paint hard to reach locations.

Options for Changing Brick

Painting brick can certainly be a rather difficult process. However, it isn’t the only option for altering the appearance of a brick surface. Staining the brick is another potential option to change this appearance. Brick staining helps to emphasize the natural texture of the brick, rather than masking that texture.

Reasons to Paint Brick Surfaces

Though brick surfaces often look fine all on their own, there are still several reasons to paint brick surfaces. A new paint job can be used to help change the appearance or color of the brick surface in order to match an individual’s preferences. A paint job can also be used to help cover up water stains or graffiti.

When you paint a brick surface, it is important to ensure that you follow the appropriate steps to ensure a good paint job. This can go a long way toward preventing substantial issues from occurring and ensuring the best possible appearance for your brick surface. Hiring a professional painting service can go a long way toward providing the best possible outcome for the paint job. At Brush Brothers Painting, we are able to provide excellent painting services for your brick surfaces.

Painting tired or out-of-place brick, whether inside or outside your home, is an inexpensive, fairly quick route to an updated—or just cleaner—look. Before you get started, however, expect to do some prep work.

Best Brush For Painting Brickwork

Photo: shutterstock.com

There are a host of reasons that homeowners choose to paint brick:

• If a brick fireplace is out of sync with the decor of a room, it’s less expensive to paint it than it is to replace the brick with another material.

• A coat of light-color paint can alleviate the feeling of heaviness that a brick wall can impart.

• If a home’s brick exterior needs a makeover, painting it can give the property a fresh look, boosting curb appeal and perhaps even resale value.

Although any DIYer can paint brick, there are certain precautions and procedures to follow to ensure color success.

STEP 1: Clean and prep the brick.

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.

Note: If the brick has been installed recently, it’s essential to allow it plenty of time to dry and acclimate. 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.

After cleaning, delay painting for a period of at least 24 hours.

STEP 2: Apply primer.

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. Put additional coats on those sections that have been affected either by efflorescence or mildew. Whether you add one coat of primer or a few, let the primer dry completely before going any further.

Photo: shutterstock.com

STEP 3: Pick your paint.

Many favor the use of elastodynamic paint for brick. It features (as the term implies) a high level of elasticity, which makes it excellent for filling cracks as well as preventing them. Plus, elastodynamic paint performs well in all weather—not only precipitation but also high humidity.

If you cannot find or don’t wish to use elastodynamic paint, don’t hesitate to opt instead for regular acrylic latex exterior paint. In fact, for exterior brickwork, acrylic latex may be the superior choice, because it’s designed to stand up against mildew and to quickly evaporate any moisture that it absorbs.

STEP 4: Apply paint.

The easiest way to paint brick is with a paint sprayer. Weekend DIYers’ favorites are available from manufacturers such as Wagner, Tacklife, and HomeRight.

If you are painting a relatively modest surface area—if you’re painting a brick fireplace surround, for example—brushes or rollers are sufficient. In fact, for those with no experience operating a sprayer, these low-tech painting tools are recommended. If you plan to use a roller, choose one with a thick nap to ensure best results on brick, which is riddled with nooks and crannies and surface irregularities.

Best Paint For Brick Walls

For interior and exterior brick, many experts recommend semi-gloss or gloss paint, as either type accentuates detail and, compared with other paints, is easier to clean as time goes by.

Staining Brick
If the brick stands in decent condition, you have another finishing option: stain. Quicker and easier than painting, brick staining highlights the material’s unique texture, whereas painting does much the opposite.

Preparing brick for staining is no different from preparing it for painting. In either case, clean the surface thoroughly, allowing it to dry completely before moving forward. If you do not intend to stain the mortar, then seal it off with painter’s tape. (You can also use this trick if you decide to paint after all.)

If you decide to move forward with staining, be sure to test the stain on an inconspicuous part of the brick. Note that you can darken or lighten the tone by adding pigment or water, respectively.

Once you have a mixture that imparts a color you like, spread on the stain by moving the brush in a uniform direction. Alternatively, for a more even application, use a clean rag to wipe the stain onto the brick. Spread the stain as thinly possible, wait 24 hours, and then add a second coat. Along the way, remember to wear goggles and gloves.