Painting Brick Walls
#1
12-03-12, 02:03 PM
Painting Brick Walls
Hi all,
I recently bought a home and the basement walls are white brick. The basement has been waterproofed so I am looking to do some improvement down there. I'd like to paint it a different color but I don't know how to give it the brick look, with the uneven colors and all. Any advice would work, maybe someone has done this before?
Pete
I recently bought a home and the basement walls are white brick. The basement has been waterproofed so I am looking to do some improvement down there. I'd like to paint it a different color but I don't know how to give it the brick look, with the uneven colors and all. Any advice would work, maybe someone has done this before?
Pete
#2
12-03-12, 02:52 PM
Welcome to the forums Pete!
Are the walls brick or block? a pic or two might help - http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
Are the walls brick or block? a pic or two might help - http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
#3
12-04-12, 09:38 PM
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Pictures would definitely help, however initial thought is to paint the whole wall your prefered shade, and then mask and paint your others for the authentic look.
#5
12-06-12, 11:31 AM
Group Moderator
Hmm... are you sure those are bricks? Might just be the paint on them but it almost looks like the brick pattern is stamped into something bigger.
#7
12-06-12, 11:39 AM
OK, if I understand correctly you want to make the brick look somewhat like they did before they were painted. It's a doable project but not one that's quick and easy 
Basically you just want to paint the face of the brick and not the mortar. If the mortar color isn't acceptable, paint it first. You would then use a small short nap roller to paint just the face of the brick. You'll need a small brush to force the paint into the grooves/texture in each brick. You can come back with different colors with a brush and then take a rag to blot off some of the paint to help give it a more realistic look.
Basically you just want to paint the face of the brick and not the mortar. If the mortar color isn't acceptable, paint it first. You would then use a small short nap roller to paint just the face of the brick. You'll need a small brush to force the paint into the grooves/texture in each brick. You can come back with different colors with a brush and then take a rag to blot off some of the paint to help give it a more realistic look.
#8
12-06-12, 11:46 AM
That is exactly what I would like to do, thank you so much for the advise. This project is a couple months away, hopefully I can post some pics when I am finished. Would you recommend taping the mortar off or is it deep enough it can be avoided with the roller?
#9
12-06-12, 11:51 AM
I don't know how well tape will work, besides that's a LOT of taping and paint is notorious for seeping under tape on irregular surfaces 
It should be quicker to use a small roller freehand. As long as you have some of the existing paint [or whatever color the mortar ends up being] it's not a real big deal to go back and touch up the mortar here and there.
Normally you want to use a roller full of paint but for this type of job you need to limit the amount of paint on the roller.
It should be quicker to use a small roller freehand. As long as you have some of the existing paint [or whatever color the mortar ends up being] it's not a real big deal to go back and touch up the mortar here and there.
Normally you want to use a roller full of paint but for this type of job you need to limit the amount of paint on the roller.
#11
12-06-12, 04:54 PM
Here is the picture of my basement wall.
That said, if I wanted to make this look like "real, red" brick, I would start by spraying the wall matte black. Then I would use a corner roller, rather dry, to take the "mortar" to the grey, or taupe, with some dark flecks from the black, that I wanted it to be. I would then roll the face of the "brick" with the brick-red paint, using a very dry roller that has a very short nap.
Highlights, irregularities and "brick" edges not covered by "mortar" could be added with artists' brushes and a collection of sponges.
