Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Note

Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.

Prep

An unpainted red brick home with black windows and black door trim.

It's imperative that prep work is done prior to painting a brick exterior.

First, make sure that the surface is clean of dust, dirt, cobwebs, mildew and efflorescence (the powdery white substance sometimes found on the surface of bricks). The most effective way to clean a large brick surface area, like a house, is with a pressure washer.

For tips on pressure washing a house, read Pressure Wash Your Home Exterior.

Tip

Wait at least 24 hours after pressure washing before you use outdoor paint for brick. If paint is applied to damp brick, the water may get trapped inside.

Repair Damaged Brick

A man caulking a hole in the brick of a home.

Once the surface is dry, inspect the brick for any damage. Assess the mortar by looking for any holes, gaps or crumbling. For minor issues, use acrylic exterior caulk to fill any blemishes. For larger gaps or damage, you may need to repair with mortar.

Watch This Video: Repair With Mortar

It’s also important to look for signs of water damage, such as damp spots or mold growth. Fix whatever underlying issues you may have, and ensure the walls are completely dry prior to any painting.

Protect Surfaces

A man removing a glass and metal light fixture from the front of a brick home.

Now that the surface is prepped, it's time to protect surfaces. Remove light fixtures and the mailbox. Seal off windows and doors with painters tape and plastic.

Place drop cloths or plastic sheeting over nearby bushes or landscaping. Spritz any plants with water before covering them to help keep them alive.

Apply Primer and Paint

Follow these instructions to apply primer and paint for a brick house.

Instructions

A man painting a brick home with a roller on an extension pole.

Save time by using a paint and primer in one. We used Valspar® Duramax because it firmly bonds to surfaces, resists cracking and seals out moisture, preventing future damage.

Paint plus primer products have come a long way. Applying two coats of this product will allow you to bypass using a traditional primer and separate paint. If you prefer to add them separately, add primer first and then apply paint. Check the manufacturer's instructions for drying times.

Tip

If the brick is new, wait at least one year before painting it. This will allow it to properly weather and dry.

The most popular color when painting brick houses is white. Other often-used exterior brick paint colors include cream, gray, black, taupe and a limewash finish.

A close-up image of gray paint being applied to a mortar line of a brick home.

Ordinarily, a paint sprayer can be used. But this was a small house, so we chose to use a combination of large paint brushes and rollers with a 3/4-inch to a 1-inch nap.

Start from the top of the house and work down. We started by cutting in with a 3-inch brush along the roofline and around windows. This allows you to be more precise in areas where the roller can’t reach.

Paint horizontally across the brick, and use the edge of the brush to fully coat the mortar lines. Load the brush with just a bit more paint than used to paint an interior wall. This allows the paint to get into all of the nooks and crannies of the textured brick.

Good to Know

If you'd like to use a paint sprayer on your brick house, check out our Paint Sprayer Buying Guide to choose the correct type for your project. Then read How to Use a Paint Sprayer to ensure your home will look its best.

A close-up image of a brick home painted gray with black shutters and window trim.

After cutting in, it's time to move onto rolling, which goes much quicker than using a brush. A 3/4-inch nap is recommended to fully cover the textured surface of brick. Load the roller up with a good amount of paint but not so much that it’s dripping off when you pull it out of the tray.

Different painters will suggest varying roller techniques. We recommend going up and down in long, vertical strokes. Go back later to fill in any gaps. Because the brick is uneven and porous with small holes, you’re unlikely to get full coverage on the first roll. Always add a second coat to get complete, maximum coverage.

Curb Appeal

A black-painted door, an exterior light, house numbers and a black metal mailbox.

Once you've painted everything, consider adding some additional curb appeal to your home by doing the following:

Swap out your mailbox.
Change out your light fixtures.
Add new house letters or numbers.
Update your landscaping.
If you have an outdoor fireplace, paint the fireplace bricks the same color as the exterior.

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How to Paint a Brick House