Bricks are difficult to paint because they are porous and absorb paint. However, by paying attention to surface preparation, the process can become easier. This article gives some tips on how to paint a brick house.
Steps
Step 1. Clean the bricks
- Spray the surface with a garden hose. Water is generally effective in removing most of the dirt and dust.
- Use a pressure washer if there is a layer of dirt, or if some areas are encrusted with mud. Get one with a pressure of 1,500 PSI.
- Remove white spots with a stiff bristle brush. These spots indicate the presence of efflorescence, or salt deposits.
- Apply a mixture of water and bleach to get rid of mold. Leave the solution on the bricks for about 20 minutes, and then scrape the surface with a stiff brush.
Step 2. Prepare the surface
- Cover doors and windows with newsprint. Attach it with masking tape and cover any other areas you don't want to get dirty.
- Repair the cracks. Use a scraper to dilate the cracks in the bricks. Remove dust with a brush and seal the cracks with acrylic putty.
- Apply a latex primer to the brick surface. Use a paintbrush, roller, or airbrush. Apply a few more coats of primer on the areas that have been affected by the efflorescence.
Step 3. Choose the paint
- You can take an elastomeric one. It is thick enough to fill in cracks, but you will need to apply 2 coats. This paint is also known to repel water and protect the surface from the elements. You can buy this product in the main paint shops.
- You can choose an outdoor acrylic latex paint. Removes moisture from the surface and helps prevent mold. It is available in the best paint shops. Usually only one coat of paint is sufficient; you can apply a second coat if you see white spots appear under the first layer.
Step 4. Paint your brick house
- Apply the paint with a sprayer. Although it is more expensive than a brush, you can paint faster with this tool. Move the sprayer from side to side, overlapping each stroke a little.
- You can use a paint roller. The rollers are larger and more expensive than most brushes, but cost less than airbrushes. They take less time to paint than the brush, but more time than a sprayer. Start at the top of the house, roll the roller up and down as you slowly move to paint adjacent areas.
- Use a paintbrush to fill in areas that you can't reach with the sprayer or roller. Areas near doors and windows and finishing touches require precision that the airbrush or roller cannot deliver.
Step 5. Let the paint dry
Read the instructions on the package to determine how long it will take.
Step 6. Add a second coat of paint
Apply it only if indicated by the manufacturer.
