Painting Bricks Is Easy!
We moved to a new house last year, from California to Missouri. It was a culture shock of course. But the worst part was the dark and gloomy house, full of paneling and bricks. Some people say you should never paint brick…but when two walls in two rooms of your main living space are real bricks, you kind of have NO CHOICE.
Thank you!!
Here’s what you have to do to paint your brick walls:
Now you’re ready to start spraying your bricks! There’s a technique to it…swoosh your wrist across the area you are painting at the same time as pulling the trigger on the sprayer. You are trying to get an even coat of thin paint. With this method you will still have some color variations showing through and it won’t be completely “white”. It brightens the brick. You can even do more coats if you want it to be brighter.
But really, you can do the spraying in any way that is easy for you!
Now after you’ve sprayed till your hand aches, you will need to dab at the drippy areas with a wad of paper towels. You don’t want drips drying and looking ugly all over. You can also use a paint brush to squish more of the drips into the crevices and grout lines. You might even start feeling artsy and creative!
You will notice with spraying the paint on that you are saving tons of time not having to paint into the “grout” areas…they get covered nicely with the spray.
We were able to complete one wall in the breakfast room in about 1/2 an hour. Clean up took about another 1/2 an hour (including drips, the floor and the windows). We got done right as my husband walked in the door. He was speechless…but liked it! Yay for painted brick and clever friends!
I totally suggest painting boring red brick if it’s on the interior of your home. It’s quick and easy and you’ll love how bright it is. After I finished the fireplace and painting the paneling I almost feel like it’s light in there!
Make sure to wash out all your brushes and you can keep the unused watered down paint for about a month. After that is starts going funky and chunky.
Used your paint color/formula but brush and sponge cause my sprayers kept clogging. Looks fantastic, and my husband whom hates painted brick as well admits it looks great! Thank u so much for sharing!
Would you say this is very similar to the white-washed look? I’m thinking about doing this to our massive brick fireplace wall (screams “1970s!!!!!!!!!!!”)…this seems much easier for the same look.
I’m totally inspired! I have been trying to figure out how I’m going to tackle the same issue in my new home. Would love to know what color paint you used.
This is very lovely. I think it looks even better than plain white walls! I don’t have brick inside, though. I am getting ready to buy a house that is built with ugly red brick. I read Sarah Bradford’s reply and believe that I will try using exterior paint with built in primer. Thanks!
Would also like further info on this project. What color did you use? What size and brand of spray bottles? Did your brick have a shiny coat before you sprayed it?
Hi Everyone, thanks so much for your comments. In regards to paint color and brand, I used either Behr or Valspar in “Cottage Stone”…it was a semi gloss latex finish. I did not prime the brick before painting. My bricks were untouched and were very porous. I have also had experience painting brick on the outside with an exterior latex paint, very successfully.
If you are trying for a less than bright white effect, I would suggest choosing a cream color paint, or off-white.
You can use any kind of spray bottle. I happened to pick up the some of the “industrial type” ones I found in the cleaning aisle at Lowes. But I know that any would work. If your sprayer gets clogged it just means you will have to thin your paint with a little more water, and work quickly. I think I bought three bottles, and two of them didn’t work for me, even though they were all the same brand. Spray bottles can be tricky so stock up on a few for the project so you don’t have to run back to the store.
Don’t forget you can email me directly at sarah@blogguidebook.com or check out my blogs at http://www.blogguidebook.com and http://www.differentdog.com for more DIY/Crafting/Painting fun.
Good luck on your brick painting adventures!
Thank you so much for the quick response answering all my questions!!!!
Did you use interior or exterior paint for this project? Also, you said it was paint and primer in one correct?
Thanks!
I used interior paint on this project, and I can’t remember if there was primer in it, I don’t think so. That probably wouldn’t make too much difference though. Good luck!
You stated you used latex paint…dud you use flat, eggshell or satin I ain’t..love this, I’m going to try this on my fireplace. Thanks