Painting Over Brick Tiles

Brick tiles come in handy for various interior and exterior installations in the home. The tiles are also known as thin brick or brick veneer. They make a good alternative to traditional bricks as they allow you to capture the traditional brick look, but with less effort. Brick veneer isn’t as heavy as ordinary bricks, which contributes towards ease of installation. It is also both a low maintenance and versatile building material. You can install the tiles over stone, wood or concrete. The tiles are available in various attractive colors. However, if you have a specific color preference that is unavailable, you can also paint the tiles to fit into your color scheme. Below are some guidelines to help you paint.

1 - Repairs

It is a good idea to inspect the tiles for repairs before you paint. Some may have chipped or broken. The mortar that joins the tiles together may have worn away in some areas. Replace the damaged tiles with an exact match for uniformity. Apply a premixed acrylic mortar patch to areas that need additional mortar.

2 - Caulk and Seal

Carefully inspect your tiles for tiny or hairline gaps and cracks. Apply elastomeric or polyurethane caulking. This will prevent infiltration of water into the mortar and tiles. Once water infiltrates your brick tiles, it facilitates wear and tear. If your tiles are installed where you have doors and windows, it is a good idea to caulk around these as well.

3 - Clean the Brick

It is best to clean your brick thoroughly before you paint. This will get rid of dust, dirt and debris. Use a mild detergent and pressure washer set at 1,500 to 2,000 PSI. A scrub brush can be used to clear surface stains. Be sure to rinse the tiles well so that you have no soap left behind. Soap residues make it difficult for primer to adhere to the brick. Allow 24 hours for the tiles to dry completely.

4 - Apply Masonry Conditioner

You may find that your brick tiles are slightly soft or powdery. Use a paint roller to apply a masonry conditioner over the tiles. It helps to consolidate the brick. Allow 24 hours for the conditioner to dry.

5 - Prime the Tiles

It is best to use an acrylic masonry or universal primer that dries quickly. These dry in 1 to 2 hours which allows you to paint sooner. Dilute thick primers with some water to facilitate penetration into the brick. Spray primer over the entire tile surface and spread evenly with a paintbrush.

6 - Paint

It is best to use an oil based paint or a 100% acrylic house paint. Apply a paint of your color choice over the tiles. Use a paintbrush to back brush the first coat so that the paint is evenly distributed over the tiles. Once the first coat has dried completely, you can spray a second coat. You may also use a nap roller, ¾ of an inch thick, to distribute the paint.