Painting outdoor brick can completely transform the look and feel of your home’s exterior. With the right prep work and painting technique, you can give brick walls and accents a fresh new color. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about painting outdoor brick surfaces.
Introduction
Painting brick seems daunting, but with proper preparation and application, even novice DIYers can achieve beautiful results. Paint opens up a world of color options compared to natural brick’s limited color palette. With thoughtful color selection, painted brick can add character and aesthetic appeal to your home’s exterior.
Approaching the project step-by-step allows you to tackle the process efficiently. Proper prep work and application technique are key to achieving a long-lasting, quality paint job. Understanding the unique challenges of painting brick will help you avoid common pitfalls. Arm yourself with the information in this guide, and you’ll gain the confidence to paint your brick surfaces like a pro.
Benefits of Painting Outdoor Brick
Here are some key advantages of painting exterior brick:
- Transformative aesthetics – Paint allows you to completely change the look and feel of your brickwork, unlocking dramatic new color palettes. Painted brick introduces new depth, dimension, and visual appeal to your home.
- Customization – Paint opens up countless color options compared to the natural, limited brick color palette. You can choose colors that coordinate with your home’s style and exterior accents.
- Curb appeal – Freshly painted brick provides an easy aesthetic boost to attract potential home buyers. Painting drab or dated brick is an inexpensive way to modernize your home’s exterior.
- Damage coverage – Paint effectively hides cracks, chips, deterioration, and other surface imperfections in aging brick. It provides a brand-new appearance and protects from further weathering.
- Cost savings – Painting existing brick costs a fraction of full brick replacement or installing a new veneer. It’s an affordable way to give brickwork an updated, like-new look.
With proper prep and application, paint will adhere reliably to outdoor brick for a high-quality, long-lasting result. Follow the steps in this guide to successfully tackle your brick painting project.
Choosing Paint for Exterior Brick
Selecting the right type of paint is critical for getting great results when painting outdoor brick. The best brick paints will adhere tightly and provide maximum protection from the elements.
Use 100% Acrylic Exterior Paint
Top-quality 100% acrylic latex paints are strongly recommended for any exterior masonry paint job. Acrylic formulations offer:
- Superior adhesion – Acrylic latex paints bond tightly to porous surfaces like brick. They resist peeling and chipping better than lower-quality paints.
- Durability – Acrylic paint stands up well to sun, rain, snow, temperature extremes, and other outdoor conditions. It resists fading and has a long service life.
- Breathability – Acrylic paint allows moisture vapor to pass through the brick, avoiding interior moisture problems. Many cheaper paints trap moisture, causing brick damage.
- Color retention – The pigments used in acrylic paint maintain their color better compared to other paint types when exposed to UV light.
Be sure to choose acrylic paint specifically made for exterior masonry. Avoid cheaper vinyl, alkyd, or PVA paints that do not adhere well or withstand outdoor conditions. Investing in 100% acrylic latex paint leads to the best painted brick results.
Match Paint Sheen to Surface Type
Pay attention to paint sheen when selecting an acrylic exterior paint. Different sheens have an impact on adhesion and final appearance:
- Flat paint – This non-reflective, matte finish adheres well to textured brick surfaces. It highlights the brick texture while muting color variation.
- Satin paint – With modest reflectivity, satin finishes adhere well while offering some sheen. Satin enhances brick color with a slight glow.
- Gloss paint – Highly reflective gloss paint does not adhere as readily to porous brick compared to flatter sheens. Glossy paint tends to highlight imperfections.
In most cases, flat or satin paints provide the best finish for painting brick walls and other vertical surfaces. Reserve gloss finishes for accent trim and doors. Always test paint samples on your brick to confirm sheen preferences.
Tint Brick Paint for Appearance and Hiding Power
When selecting a color, keep in mind that tinted paints adhere and hide better than pure white:
- Tinted paints grip porous brick better since pigment particles lodge in pores for improved adhesion. Light colors like pale yellow or grey are ideal.
- White paint does not grip textured brick as readily. Multiple coats are needed to properly cover and hide dark brick color.
If your goal is a bright white painted brick surface, choose a white base paint and tint it very slightly. Pale blue, green, or grey tints improve adhesion and provide better coverage compared to pure white.
Prepare Brick Surface for Painting
Thorough surface prep is essential for proper paint adhesion. Taking time to prep ensures the paint sticks tightly and delivers maximum performance:
Clean and Dry the Brick
- Use a hose and stiff nylon brush to wash away all dirt, grime, mildew and other contaminants. Avoid using harsh cleaners that can damage brick.
- Allow several dry, sunny days for brick to fully dry out before painting. Any residual moisture will damage paint adhesion.
Repair Cracks and Holes
- Use caulk or repair mortar to patch any cracks or damaged spots in brick walls. Applying paint over flaws will simply highlight them.
- Caulk around windows, trim, piping and other areas where brick meets other materials to create clean transition lines.
Remove Loose Paint
- If brick was previously painted, scrape or sand away any paint that is blistered, peeling or flaking. You want to get down to a sound layer of existing paint or bare brick.
- Feather the edges of old paint so the new paint can form a smooth transition. Use paint stripper if needed to remove paint from porous brick.
Smoothen with Sandpaper
- For rough or heavily textured brick, light sanding helps level the surface for improved paint adhesion. Use 20-grit sandpaper to smooth bumps.
- Avoid rounding sharp brick corners or damaging the brick face. Lightly sand just enough to remove any loose grains or high points.
Proper prep removes potential bond breakers so the new paint bonds tightly. Always let prepared surfaces dry fully before applying primer and paint.
Prime Brick Before Painting
Priming is a critical preparatory step that leads to far better paint performance on exterior brick:
Uniform Surface for Paint
- Primer creates a consistent base layer that allows the finish paint to adhere evenly across the uneven brick texture.
- Without primer, the rough brick surface can cause the paint to go on unevenly and appear blotchy.
Superior Adhesion
- Masonry primer chemically bonds to the brick surface, giving the topcoat paint an optimized surface to grip. This leads to dramatically better adhesion.
- Unprimed paint often fails prematurely as exposure to sun, rain, and temperature swings weakens its bond over time.
Improved Coverage
- Tinting primer towards your finish paint color helps it mask the underlying brick tone so finish paint coats provide truer, more uniform color.
- Primed brick needs fewer coats of paint to fully hide the brick color and achieve full opacity.
Be sure to use high-quality acrylic latex masonry primer designed for exterior brick. Alternative primers like PVA types do not offer adequate adhesion. Apply a single, uniform primer coat per manufacturer directions.
Use Proper Paint Application Techniques
Applying paint properly ensures it adheres tightly and uniformly to brick surfaces. Follow these tips for great results:
Avoid Painting in Direct Sunlight
Paint applied in direct sun or on hot brick can dry too rapidly, impairing adhesion. Paint on shaded surfaces or when temps are below 85°F.
Apply Multiple Thin Coats
Heavily saturated single coats risk running or sagging on vertical brick. Multiple thinner coats provide even coverage without dripping.
Use Consistent Brush Strokes
Lay down paint in smooth strokes in a consistent direction without over-brushing. This avoids lap marks or textural variations.
Cut In Trim and Edges First
Use a trim brush and steady hand to first “cut in” around windows, doors, and trim with neat transition lines. Then roll larger expanses.
Watch for Drips
Periodically scan surfaces for any paint drips forming along mortar joints or brick edges. Smooth out drips before paint dries.
Allow Proper Dry Time
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for dry time between coats. This ensures proper intercoat adhesion for maximum durability.
With care and patience, you can achieve a smooth uniform finish. Proper application practices will reward you with painted brickwork that maintains its great look for years.
Troubleshooting Common Paint Issues on Brick
Even with careful preparation and application, painted brick sometimes exhibits flaws. Here are remedies for some common paint problems:
Issue: Lap Marks Show Brush Strokes
Fix: Apply paint in small sections with consistent brushing motion. Maintain a wet edge between sections to avoid lap marks at overlaps.
Issue: Paint Peeling or Flaking
Fix: Scuff sand surface completely and recoat after allowing proper dry time between original coats. Ensure temperatures are not too hot when applying.
Issue: Efflorescence Whitish Residue Forms
Fix: Remove residue with acidic cleaner, let dry fully, then prime entire surface before repainting to block efflorescence.
Issue: Paint Not Hiding Dark Brick Tone
Fix: Ensure primer is tinted close to finish paint color. Apply additional finish coat(s) for greater opacity and color uniformity.
Issue: New Paint Peeling or Blistering
Fix: Strip all paint, allow brick to fully dry, then reprime and repaint. Ensure bare brick does not have any residual moisture.
With quality preparation and application practices, you can feel confident your painted brickwork will turn out beautifully and perform reliably for years on your home’s exterior.
Frequently Asked Questions About Painting Outdoor Brick
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about painting exterior brick surfaces:
Should I use a paint sprayer or roll/brush paint onto brick?
For most DIYers, using paint rollers and brushes leads to better results than spraying. Spraying risks oversaturation or drips if not done properly. Brushing allows great control and uniform coverage. Only spray if you have past experience doing so successfully.
How long does painted brick last?
With proper prep and application, a quality acrylic latex paint should reliably last 5-10 years or more on a brick surface before needing touch up or reapplication. Proper maintenance and recoating before paint failure prolongs the life significantly.
How long does painted brick take to dry?
In ideal conditions (70°F, 50% humidity), latex paint dries to the touch in 1-2 hours. Full curing takes about two weeks. Drying time varies based on temperature, humidity, ventilation, and number of coats. Ensure each coat is fully dry before adding another.
Should I use different techniques for painting interior vs. exterior brick?
The same basic principles apply, but exterior brick painting requires more rigorous surface prep and high-quality acrylic paints compared to painting interior bricks around a fireplace. The exterior paint must withstand harsher conditions.
How do I avoid a patchy, blotchy painted brick wall?
Always prime before painting. Test your paint colors on brick samples first. Apply multiple thin coats allowing proper dry time between coats. Cut in edges first before rolling large sections. Maintain wet edges between sections.
Can I use the same paint on bare brick as previously painted brick?
Yes, the same high-quality 100% acrylic latex exterior paint can be used on both unpainted and previously painted brick. Just be sure to properly scrape and sand any loose existing paint before priming and recoating.
Painting brick can seem challenging, but following the techniques in this guide will set you up for success. With proper planning, preparation, priming, and application, even first-timers can achieve stunning painted brick finishes.
Conclusion
Transforming outdoor brick with a fresh painted finish does not need to be difficult or expensive. With some careful planning, high quality acrylic paint, and attention to proper application technique, you can paint your exterior brick surfaces like a pro.
Preparing the brick surface is the most important foundation for success. Proper cleaning, repairing flaws, removing loose paint, and priming sets up a smooth, consistent surface for superior paint adhesion.
Using top-quality 100% acrylic exterior paint formulated for masonry ensures your new brick paint job will last for many years. With a well-prepped surface and multiple coats applied under ideal conditions, the paint will withstand harsh weather without fading, peeling or blistering.
Paint unlocks dramatic new color possibilities compared to bare brick’s natural earth tone hues. Whether you favor vibrant shades or muted neutrals, a fresh coat of paint provides instant curb appeal and completely transforms the look of your home’s exterior brickwork.
With the techniques learned from this comprehensive guide, you can approach your outdoor brick painting project with confidence. Take your time, do the prep work properly, and use quality application practices. The result will be long-lasting painted brick surfaces you can enjoy and be proud of for years to come.