Painting Brick Outside
Bricks have a beautiful natural color and texture, so why would anyone have an interest in painting them? How would one even go about painting bricks outside if you wanted to? Do you need a painting contractor to paint over exterior brick?
For starters, people choose to paint the bricks on the outside of their homes if some of them are damaged or are not of top quality. Mold and deterioration of the bricks can be an eyesore for anyone who passes by, and also to the owner of the house. The paint that you choose can rejuvenate the look and feel of your house and decrease the signs of age. The only downside of the bricks being painted is the upkeep of the painting. Bricks that have been painted must be touched up regularly. If you do choose to paint your exterior brick, it should match the color scheme of your home.
Beyond that you should choose a top quality acrylic latex exterior paint for your home. Whether the paint is a semi-gloss finish, satin or eggshell is purely dependant on your personal preference. They will all do the job well. Elastomeric paint is also a widely used paint for water repelling and filling in the cracks in the bricks. It is used because of its elasticity and ability to protect the brick for longer periods of time.
Painting the bricks on the exterior of a home is a delicate procedure. If you do not take care to clean the bricks or if you should not choose a color you want, then you might end up spending a fair sum of money to re-prepare and repaint the bricks. It is quite difficult to remove so be sure to test the color first. In order to paint the bricks you have to make sure the bricks are cleaned of dust and debris. There should also not be any chemicals that would be left from cleaning the bricks. If the bricks are in need of repair, then they should be repaired prior to painting, since repairing them after painting would require the repair to be painted over, plus the removal of excess mortar. The brick must then be treated with an acidic wash solution that can be painted on with a brush with the same technique as painting. Muriatic acid may be used for deep cleaning the bricks but it is a dangerous chemical and should be used cautiously.
This includes the use of personal protective equipment such as goggles and gloves.
Once the brick is repaired of all its faults you must paint the brick with an exterior primer. The primer’s purpose is to create a layer on the brick that will allow the paint to bond with the brick decreasing the potential for peeling. The primer must dry for anywhere from twenty-four hours to a few days depending on the levels of humidity where you are painting. Be sure to read the instructions on the paint so you know how long you should expect it to take to dry. After the primer is dry and set, you can then paint the brick.
As I’m sure you know, brick has a rough surface so you must also have the correct painting tools. You can use a roller but you need to make sure it is a long nap, “rough” grade roller with at least 3/4” to 1 ¼” fibers. You can also apply a thick layer of paint with a brush or even use a paint sprayer.
To recap, you want to make sure you have the following items on hand for your project:
• A Brick Conditioner
• Either high quality latex paint or Elastomeric paint, in your color of choice.
• Hard wire brush for cleaning away dust and debris
• Caulk or mortar.
• Acid Wash Solution- Muriatic acid, etc.
• Rollers, or Paint Sprayer
• Paint Brushes
• Drop clothes or tarps, if desired.
And remember, when in doubt – you can always hire a professional painting contractor to do the work for you . It might be worth your while since painting exterior brick is not an easy task. Be sure to check out our directory of painters to find a qualified company in your local area.