Painting exterior brick changes the whole look of a house—unpainted red brick to clean white is one of the most dramatic transformations you can do. But brick is porous and unforgiving if you rush the prep.
Should You Paint Brick at All?
Once painted, brick stays painted. The paint traps moisture in ways that unpainted brick doesn’t, which can cause spalling (surface flaking) in freeze-thaw climates. It also means repainting every 5-10 years.
If your brick is in good shape and you’re just bored with the color, think hard before committing. Painting is easier than un-painting. Limewash and mineral stains are reversible alternatives worth considering.
Prep Work
Clean first. Pressure wash to remove dirt, mold, and loose mortar. Let dry for at least 24 hours—preferably a few dry days. Painting over damp brick traps moisture and causes peeling.
Repair mortar. Crumbling joints need repointing before paint. The paint won’t fix structural issues, and deteriorating mortar lets water in behind the paint film.
Look for efflorescence. Those white powdery deposits are mineral salts leaching through. Wire brush them off and treat with an efflorescence cleaner. Painting over them causes adhesion failure.
Priming
Masonry primer is non-negotiable. Brick is alkaline and porous—regular primer won’t hold. Use a primer specifically designed for masonry. It seals the surface and provides a base the topcoat can grip.
Fill all the texture—brick is rough. Use a thick-nap roller or spray to get into the mortar joints and pits. Brushing alone won’t cover everything.
Paint Selection
Exterior acrylic latex made for masonry. It needs to breathe slightly to let moisture escape. Elastomeric paints are even better for bridging small cracks.
Flat or matte sheens hide imperfections. Satin is more washable but shows every bump. Gloss on brick looks strange—don’t do it.
Application
Spray and back-roll is the fastest method for brick. The sprayer fills the texture quickly, and the roller presses paint into the crevices. Two coats minimum.
If you’re brushing and rolling only, expect it to take significantly longer. Get a thick-nap roller (3/4 inch minimum) and a brush for cutting in and getting into mortar joints.
Timing
Paint when it’s dry and moderate—50-85°F, no rain in the forecast for at least 24 hours after application. Morning sun followed by shade is ideal; direct afternoon sun on fresh paint causes issues.
