How To Paint Exterior Brick
So you now know what the best paints for exterior brick are. Let's talk about how exactly to go about painting!
Step 1: Preparation
If you do not ensure the surface is ready to paint, the paint will struggle to adhere. Start by checking that the brick has no cracks or holes in, as these must be filled to create a smooth surface to be painted. Firstly, all rubble must be removed from the crack or hole as this will prevent the filler from adhering. Using an exterior filler such as Toupret Touprelith F Masonry Repair Filler, fill all holes or cracks using a filling knife. Work the filler up and down in straight lines until the hole is slightly overfilled to allow for any shrinkage. Once this has been done, you can then sand the filler down to create a completely smooth surface.
Once the surface is completely sound, it must then be cleaned before you can paint it. Using a stiff brush, wipe down the brickwork to remove any large parts or dirt and dust. Once this has been done, apply a masonry cleaner such as an anti-fungal cleaner to kill any green growth or fungus that can grow and cause the paint to fail. Simply brush the cleaner on and leave for a few hours to dry. You do not have to wash this off as any residue left will be covered with the paint.
Put dust sheets down and mask around the surface you are painting using masking tape to ensure the neatest possible results. If you are painting an exterior wall, wrapping newspaper around gutters and downpipes can save you time.
2. Priming
When painting a bare surface like brick, you must apply primer before you paint. The primer acts as a glue to allow the paint to adhere as easily as possible to the surface.
Primer comes in a thin, milky liquid that can be very easily applied using a paint brush or roller. It is crucial at this point to ensure you are using the correct tools for the job. When painting a rough exterior surface like a brick wall, you are much better off using a long-pile roller. Long-pile rollers have long fibres on the roller sleeve that allow more paint to be picked up at once and applies that paint more effectively on rough surfaces as it can reach all of the nooks and crannies. A masonry brush can also help to better apply paint, although you can use any synthetic paint brush that you are comfortable with.
Apply a thin but even layer of primer on to the brick and leave to dry as per the manufacturers instructions. This is usually around 3-5 hours in normal temperatures but will vary in colder or warmer weather.
3. Painting
Now the brick is cleaned and primed it is time to paint. It's important that you ensure you are not painting in conditions below 5°C as this will impact the ability for the masonry paint to dry. This is because most masonry paints are water-based, meaning the water struggles to evaporate to dry the paint when in cooler temperatures. If you are planning to paint in cooler conditions, it is possible to use an oil-based masonry paint like pliolite, although this is not recommended for the average DIY'er.
Beginning at the top of the wall, work around the edges using your paint brush, followed by the roller to paint the rest of the surface. The first coat of paint should be thinner than your second coat as the aim is to provide a solid base for the topcoat to be applied to, rather than achieve strong opacity.
Once the full area is painted, leave to completely dry before applying the second coat.
Once dry, apply your second coat slightly thicker than your first coat. Most good masonry paints are two coat systems, so you should try to apply this coat as evenly as possible to achieve your final finish. If you are using a cheap masonry paint, it may require a third coat, which you can apply once the second is dry.
