How to Paint Exterior Brick

Painted brick has a style all its own and is seen more and more as decorating trends shift. If you are planning on painting brick, make sure to patch any cracks or ruts that are often caused by ivy breaking through. 

Step 1 - Clean the Brick

Wash the surface thoroughly with a pressure washer set to 1500 to 2000 psi. Don’t use any more pressure than this because too much force might damage the mortar. Add soap to the stream for more difficult efflorescence and mildew deposits. The point is to get rid of all dirt, grime and loose paint—nothing else. Once the washing is completed, allow the brick plenty of time to fully dry. This will take a few days at least because brick is a porous material that traps moisture.

Step 2 - Remove Loose Paint and Fix Mortar

Remove all loose paint or else it will cause early chipping. Use a hand scraper to get the larger pieces. Don’t use a wire brush. It is easy to get carried away and gouge the brick or leave ruts in it. Sand the brick smooth using either a palm or circular sander with a minimum 80 grit paper. Now repair any missing and damaged mortar. You can use a premixed acrylic mortar patch that enables you to prime and paint as soon as it is dry. Alternatively, you can mix a powder mortar yourself, but this will take a few weeks to dry before you are able to begin priming.

Step 3 - Prime the Brick

Always use a high quality acrylic or latex masonry primer for painting exterior brick. Remember all mortar as well as brick should be primed. It typically takes 1 to 2 hours for the topcoat to dry. Prime those places where efflorescence and mildew occurred first so you can give an extra coat if needed. Give time for the primer to dry completely before moving on to painting.

Step 4 - Caulk and Seal

Caulk any area that can let water in, as small as a 1/16-inch. This includes doors, windows, trim, and places like chimney caps. Before beginning, remove all the dust with a brush or vacuum. Be sure to use 100 percent acrylic caulk and a foam backer rod for bigger cracks. You may need to repeat this process after 3 to 5 hours.

Step 5 - Paint the Brick

When choosing exterior house paint, elastomeric or 100 percent acrylic latex are the best. Apply two coats in order to achieve its highest durability. For best results, brush and roll the brick as you would any other wall. Just be sure to use at least a ¾-inch or thicker roller cover to be sure to fill every nook and cranny with paint.

 

Edward Kimble, professional painter and author of Interior House Painting Blog, contributed to this article.