How to Paint Over Brick Inside the Home

Brick surfaces can become dull in appearance and make a room look dark and dated, which is why they should be frequently cleaned and painted over. Whether the brick surface you're looking to paint is a single wall, a fireplace or even a brick floor beneath a wood burning stove, the tips we've listed below can be used for all projects. We've included easy-to-follow instructions to properly paint over brick.

Before you begin painting over brick, the surface needs to be thoroughly cleaned and prepped. This may seem like a time consuming task, but it is necessary if you want the paint to adhere properly and last for an extended period of time.

Materials needed to clean brick:

- Wire brush
- Hard grit sandpaper
- Soft cloth
- Warm water
- TSP Cleaner

How to clean the surface before painting over brick:

STEP 1 - Rub the entire surface with a wire brush to remove excess chalk, dirt and soot build up. Take the time to thoroughly scrub the surface to remove any loose brick and other debris.

STEP 2 - Wipe off the brick with a damp cloth, rinsing frequently with warm water.

STEP 3 - Go back over the brick with a hard grit sandpaper, paying close attention to the edges and between cracks.

STEP 4 - Wipe off the brick with a damp cloth.

STEP 5 - Apply a coat of TSP cleaner.

Materials needed to paint over brick:

- Painters' tape
- Latex paint primer
- Latex paint made for brick
- Textured paint roller(s)
- Paint tray

How to paint over brick:

STEP 1 - Before painting over brick, mask off the area around the surface with painters' tape.

STEP 2 - Apply a coat of latex paint primer and allow it to dry completely. Brick can be a difficult surface to paint since it is porous and contains many cracks and crevices. A second coat of primer may be required.

Quick note about paint - To properly paint over brick, you'll want to use an interior paint designed to cover brick and other masonry. Consider Behr's Masonry, Stucco & Brick Paint. This paint may cost a bit more than a typical flat paint, but an inexpensive paint will NOT adhere well to the brick, and you'll have to repeat the task in a few months.

STEP 3 - Pour the paint from the gallon into a paint tray.

Quick note about choosing a paint roller - Brick can be a difficult surface to paint over and because it is has an extremely rough texture, it will tear up a typical paint roller quickly. Therefore, I recommend using a roller designed for textured paint since it is more durable and will need to be replaced less frequently.

STEP 4 - Dip the roller into the tray and begin painting over brick. You will notice that the paint won't cover the brick with the first application. That's okay. Just complete the first coat and allow it to dry. Then, reapply the second coat of paint. Since brick is a porous material, you may need to paint the surface a third time for it to properly coat.

A note about painting over brick that is new - If the brick you want to paint is new or has recently been replaced, you'll need to wait a minimum of 30 days before painting it. After 30 days, you'll need to prime the surface first and allow it to dry completely before painting over brick.

More from Jennifer Wagner:
DIY Home Improvement: How to Paint Over Vinyl Flooring
How to Save Money on Your Home Improvement Project
Simple Weekend Decorating Projects

SOURCE:

Personal knowledge

Jennifer Wagner - Yahoo! Contributor Network

Amazon.com

Behr.com