People dye bricks for several reasons: to make a repair blend aesthetically with the rest of the wall, to match the surrounding decor, or just to make a nice color change. Unlike ordinary paint, the dye penetrates into the brick and binds, altering its tone irreversibly, while allowing the material to breathe.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Getting Started
Step 1. Make sure the brick can absorb water
Pour 250 ml of water over it; if the liquid collects in drops and runs off, the brick cannot be dyed. In this case, it could be coated with a sealant product or it could be made of non-absorbent material. Read the next step for more information.
Step 2. Remove the sealant layer if necessary
If the surface of the brick does not absorb water, then you need to remove the coating. The procedure does not always lead to the desired results and could cause stains. Give it a try with the method described below:
- Apply lacquer thinner to a small area and let it work for ten minutes.
- Rub it off and repeat the test with water. If the liquid gets in, use the thinner all over the brick.
- If the water is not absorbed, repeat the process using a specific commercial product to remove surface treatments from bricks or concrete.
- If the commercial product also does not work, it is not possible to dye the brick; in this case, you just have to paint it externally.
Step 3. Wash the bricks
First, soak them with water so they can't absorb the cleaning solution. Scrub them with a mild, diluted soap working from top to bottom to get rid of mold, stains and grime. Then rinse them from top to bottom and let them dry completely.
- Heavily stained bricks should be treated with a specific chemical cleaner, but such a product could ruin the brick itself, the mortar or interfere with the staining process. Opt for the more delicate solutions and in particular avoid unbuffered muriatic acid.
- If you are treating a large area, hire a professional to wash it with a pressure washer. If used incorrectly, this tool can irreversibly scratch bricks.
Step 4. Choose your brick dye product
If possible, go to a paint shop where it is allowed to try color samples before buying. If you have decided to buy it online, opt for a kit consisting of different shades, so that you can mix them and do different experiments to find the shade you want. Choose a dye from these types:
- Water-based products are recommended for most jobs, are easy to apply and allow the bricks to "breathe", thus avoiding the accumulation of water.
- Premixed dyes with sealing products create a waterproof coating on the brick surface; in many cases, they can make water damage worse. Use them only on small areas that are severely exposed to water or on very porous and damaged bricks.
Step 5. Protect your body and surrounding area from splashes
Wear gloves, old clothes, and safety glasses. Use masking tape to cover areas you don't want to paint, like window sills, door jambs, and so on.
- It is not necessary to cover the grout joints between the bricks as long as you apply the color carefully.
- Have a bucket of water available or work near a sink so you can quickly rinse off any splashes of dye. If your skin gets dirty, wash it with soapy water; if the color gets into your eyes, rinse them for ten minutes.
Step 6. Check the weather conditions
The brick surface should be completely clean and dry. You shouldn't paint exterior walls on windy days to prevent the paint from dripping and being applied unevenly. Some products should not be used in very hot or cold weather, according to package directions.
Temperature is typically only a problem in extreme climates. Depending on the product you have chosen, the minimum application varies between -4 and +4 ° C, while the maximum is around 43 ° C
Step 7. Blend the dye
Carefully read the instructions on the package; usually, you need to dilute the color with water before using it. Measure accurately the amount of liquid to get a uniform shade and mix in an "8" motion.
- Use a disposable container that you can conveniently insert the brush into.
- If in doubt, add a little dye to the water. You can always increase the concentration of color later, while it is more difficult to dilute it once it has been applied.
- If you are mixing different shades together, write down the exact quantities of the different products, so that you can reproduce the same "recipe" for the next batch.
Part 2 of 2: Applying the Dye
Step 1. Test on a small area
Test by applying the color to a corner of the wall or a scrap brick. Wait for it to dry completely to evaluate the final effect of the color. Follow the guidelines described below to apply the dye.
Repeat this step every time you try a new blend. Brick dyes are indelible, so it's worth investing some time to find your favorite shade. If you can't find a suitable shade, ask the staff of the paint shop you contacted for help for help
Step 2. Dip a brush in the paint and squeeze out any excess liquid
Choose a regular brush, but make sure it is as wide as a single brick. Dip it in the dye and press it against the inner wall of the container closest to you to get rid of the excess product. Do not use the farthest interior wall, otherwise the splashes may end up on the wall.
- If you are concerned that the color will drip onto the bricks, practice the application technique with plain water, as a water-based dye has the same consistency.
- If you need to treat large areas, use a painter's roller or an airbrush. Both methods guarantee less control of the application and do not allow to avoid leaks.
Step 3. Apply the dye
If the wall is grouted brick, run the brush over only one brick at a time in one smooth motion. On brick paths and other non-grouted structures you can spread the color with overlapping passes, covering the surface twice. Either way, immediately touch up the small crevices with one corner of the brush.
Drag the brush in the direction of the hand you use to paint (left to right if you are right-handed)
Step 4. Mix the color every time you dip the brush
Load the dye bristles and press them against the bucket wall every three or four strokes or whenever you notice that the paint layer is less even. Don't forget to mix to keep the shade constant. Do not run the brush only partially over a brick, unless absolutely necessary.
Step 5. Apply the color in a random pattern
If you paint the bricks with brush strokes in a row, you get more or less dark areas at one end when the product in the bucket starts to run out. To give these small differences a natural look, apply the dye irregularly.
Step 6. Clean up every drop immediately
If the color drips down the wall, it can leave darker streaks that are difficult to remove once they have been absorbed; wipe them off with a damp cloth as soon as they form. Press the brush against the inside of the bucket to avoid these minor setbacks.
If you accidentally spot a grout and can't clean it completely, scrape off the paint gently with an old screwdriver or other metal tool
Step 7. Paint the joints (optional)
If you plan to color the concrete between the bricks as well, use a thin brush as wide as the joints. It is recommended to use a different shade for aesthetic reasons.
Step 8. Clean
Wash all tools to prevent residue from drying out. Throw away the container in which you poured the tincture and dispose of the excess product, respecting the safety warnings on the package.
Step 9. Wait for the dye to dry
The times vary widely according to the temperature, the degree of humidity and the product itself. Good air circulation on the surface of the bricks speeds up the process.
Advice
- Brick paint is typically not a health hazard and not a safety hazard; however, it is always a good idea to check the product label for warnings.
- Unlike regular paint, the dye penetrates the bricks giving them their own color instead of simply covering them. The final shade is a mix between the original color of the surface and the product.
- Use a sponge or towel to create a sponged or aged effect.
- Eliminate excess color when using a latex product, otherwise it builds up as a thick layer on the bricks rather than penetrating the material.
