Have you ever looked at an old brick wall and wished it had a fresh, new look? Brick is tough, but it can look dull over time. Painting brick seems simple, but choosing the correct paint is tricky! Many people worry about the paint peeling or trapping moisture inside the bricks. You want a beautiful finish that lasts for years, not just a few months.
Picking the wrong product can lead to frustrating, expensive mistakes. We understand the confusion when faced with terms like elastomeric, acrylic, or masonry paint. Don’t let uncertainty stop you from transforming your home’s exterior! This guide cuts through the confusion.
By the end of this post, you will know exactly which type of paint works best for your specific brick project. We will break down the best options for durability, weather resistance, and that perfect color. Get ready to learn the secrets to a long-lasting, beautiful brick paint job!
Top Paint For Bricks Recommendations
- This paint must be diluted at at least a 1:2 ratio with water to achieve full coverage. See images for more details.
- Water-Based Acrylic Paint. Safe, Low on Odor, and VOCs
- Covers 100 Sq. Ft. of Brick Surface
- Transforms in Five Hours
- 36 VIBRANT COLORS : Shuttle Art 36 colors acrylic paint set contains 36 unique colors highly pigmented paints, including classic metallic gold and silver colors, also comes with 12 brushes and 1 palette, when you receive this art painting kit you can paint right way
- ARTIST QUALITY & STURDY PACKAGE: Creamy acrylic paints are easy to blend, mix and layer, providing great coverage and true, consistent shades for detailing, texturing and coloring. Art projects will stay as beautiful as the day they were painted. Strengthened cardboard package protects paints well and works as an organizer, safe and convenient.
- WIDE APPLICATION & EASY TO CLEAN: Dry fast, water-proof and fade-resistant, acrylic paint is suitable for most surfaces, such as wood, rock, canvas, ceramic, fabric, glass, clay, leather, plastic and more. Water-bases paint can be easily cleaned with soap and water before completely dry, perfect for kids, students, beginner art lovers and professional artists for painting and crafting.
- NON-TOXIC & ACIDE FREE: This paint set is conformed to ASTM-D4236, non-toxic and acid-free. Safe acrylic paint set for kids, teens and adults to do art projects with the water-based paints.
- SERVICE GUARANTEE: Your satisfaction is our top priority, please rest assured to purchase our products. If you are not satisfied with our products or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
- 250ml/8,45fl oz - Single pack
- 🎨[ Excellent Painting Set ]：This set offering a one-stop solution with premium paints and versatile brushes. It is cost-effective and easy to use. The cleverly designed brushes meet various stroke requirements, helping you create with precision. Whether you're an art student improving your skills or a hobbyist creating daily, you’ll enjoy a quality experience. The set comes in exquisite packaging, making it a perfect gift for the holidays.
- 🎨[ Good Waterproofing, Abrasion Resistance, and Lightfastness ]: The paint features a smooth, creamy formula, perfect for brushes and spatulas. Once dried, it offers excellent waterproofing, durability, and lightfastness, ensuring vibrant, stable colors even with prolonged use or light exposure. Its strong coverage and blending ability make it ideal for layering and craft or educational projects.
- 🎨[ Vivid Colors with Outstanding Results ]: Carefully selected high-quality pigments deliver highly saturated and natural-looking colors. Perfect for creating Christmas cards, crafts, holiday decorations, or small home decor items, the paint’s excellent coverage and layering ability enhance the expressiveness of your work, unleashing creativity effortlessly.
- 🎨[ Seamless Mixing for Unlimited Creativity ]: Featuring high flowability and excellent blending properties, the paint enables smooth color transitions, supporting free creative expression. It adheres to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 (CE) safety standards, ensuring safe use.
- 🎨[ Perfect Compatibility with Multiple Surfaces ]: The paint is suitable for various materials such as paper, wood, ceramics, and plastic, delivering long-lasting and vibrant colors. Its elastic drying properties ensure color stability in both indoor and outdoor environments.
- This high-quality, acrylic latex water-base interior/exterior paint offers excellent hiding properties with great adhesion and water repellency on textured interior and exterior surfaces
- This self-priming paint offers a finish on properly prepared smooth, rough and textured masonry, drywall, stucco, and brick surfaces
- It is alkali-resistant up to ph 12.0, easy to apply, and cleans up with soap and water. This paint can be rolled, Brushed, or sprayed on
- This formula is designed to accentuate all textured surfaces while achieving a natural look
- This is a 1-Gallon can of KILZ interior/exterior concrete, brick, and tile paint with a flat finish. Covers 250-400 square feet per gallon depending on surface texture
- Important Note: This paint must be diluted with water to achieve full 200 square foot coverage. Please follow instructions included with the Brick Transformations kit, or product video for further details.
- Covers 200 sq. Ft. Of brick surface
- Safe, low on odor, and VOCs
- Water-based Acrylic paint
- Revolutionary spray paint technology that provides exceptional coverage
- Ultra-durable finish on a range of surfaces - wood, metal, plastic, glass and more
- Dries within 5-minutes for less time between coats
- No drips or streaks
- Specialized formula provides a factory finish
- 12 OUTDOOR BULK PAINT: Shuttle Art outdoor acrylic paint set includes 12 vibrant colors, each in a large 8.45 oz/250 ml bottle. The paint set also comes with a painting knife, sponge, and color wheel, offering essential tools to enhance your creative process. Ideal for artists, beginners, kids, and adults working on handcraft projects
- EXCEPTIONAL OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE: Shuttle Art outdoor acrylic paints offer superior water resistance and coverage, ensuring your artwork stays vibrant and intact in outdoor conditions, from sun exposure to rain. Compared to regular acrylic paints, specialised outdoor paints provide better waterproof, fade-resistant, and UV-resistant properties
- LARGE QUANTITY FOR BIG IDEAS: With each 8.45 oz (250 ml) bottle of outdoor acrylic paint, you'll have enough paint for large projects, whether you're creating wall painting, garden decorations, or other detailed artwork. It ensures you won't run out of paint mid-project
- FOR MULTI-SURFACES & OCCASIONS: Works on a variety of surface like srocks, wood, garden statues, gnomes, metal, and fabric. Ideal for home and garden decoration, DIY crafts, family activities, and holiday celebrations like Easter and Halloween, also make a perfect gift for anyone who loves arts and crafts or enjoys outdoor creativity
- SERVICE GUARANTEE: Your satisfaction is our top priority, please rest assured to purchase our products. If you are not satisfied with our products or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time
Choosing the Right Paint for Your Bricks: A Complete Buying Guide
Painting brick can totally change the look of your home or garden feature. But you can’t just use any old paint. Bricks are tough and need special paint. This guide helps you pick the best one.
Key Features to Look For in Brick Paint
Good brick paint does more than just add color. Think about these main features when you shop:
- Breathability (Vapor Permeability): This is super important. Bricks need to “breathe.” If the paint traps moisture inside the brick, it can cause peeling, cracking, and even damage the brick over time. Look for words like “microporous” or “high vapor transmission.”
- Adhesion and Durability: The paint must stick well to the rough, porous surface of the brick. It should also last a long time against sun, rain, and wind.
- Mildew and Algae Resistance: Especially for outdoor bricks, the paint should fight off mold and mildew growth.
- UV Resistance: Good paint will resist fading when the sun hits it hard.
Important Materials: What’s Inside the Can?
The type of paint base really matters for brick:
1. Latex/Acrylic Paints (Water-Based)
These are the most common choices today. They clean up easily with water. High-quality acrylics offer great flexibility, which helps them handle the small movements of brick walls without cracking.
2. Elastomeric Paints
These are thick paints. They are excellent for covering up small cracks and offering superior waterproofing. They stretch and shrink with temperature changes very well.
3. Mineral/Silicate Paints
These paints chemically bond with the mineral content in the brick. They are the most breathable option available. They create a finish that looks very natural but can be harder to find and apply correctly.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Paint Quality
The quality of your final paint job depends on preparation and the paint itself.
Quality Boosters:
- Primer Use: Always use a quality masonry primer first, especially on old, chalky, or unpainted brick. The primer seals the surface and helps the topcoat stick better.
- Solid Surface Prep: Cleaning the brick thoroughly (power washing and scrubbing) removes dirt, efflorescence (white salty deposits), and loose paint. A clean surface guarantees better adhesion.
- Paint Solids Content: Higher quality paints contain more solid binding agents (like acrylic resin) and less water or filler. More solids mean better coverage and durability.
Quality Reducers:
- Using the Wrong Type: Applying standard interior latex paint to exterior brick is a mistake. It won’t breathe, leading to early failure.
- Painting Damp Brick: If moisture is trapped beneath the paint, the paint will bubble and peel quickly when the sun hits it. Always check that the wall is completely dry.
- Thin Coats: Applying paint too thinly reduces the amount of protective binder, leading to faster fading and less durability.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the paint changes what you should buy.
Exterior Walls (The Big Job):
For large exterior surfaces, prioritize breathability (silicate or high-grade 100% acrylic) and weather resistance. User experience here focuses on long-term performance. You want a paint that resists moisture intrusion but lets the wall dry out if it gets wet inside.
Fireplaces and Interior Features:
If you are painting an interior brick fireplace, you must look for paints rated for high heat, usually ceramic or silicone-based formulas. Standard exterior paint will burn or smoke when exposed to heat.
Decorative vs. Covering:
If you want the brick texture to still show through slightly, look for thinner masonry stains or mineral paints. If you need to completely hide imperfections or stains, choose a thicker, high-build elastomeric coating.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Brick Paint
Q: Do I need to prime brick before painting?
A: Yes, almost always. Primer helps the topcoat stick to the rough, porous brick surface and seals chalky areas.
Q: Can I paint over already painted brick?
A: You can, but you must first clean the surface well and lightly sand it. Make sure the old paint is sound (not peeling). If the old paint is failing, you need to strip it off first.
Q: What is the biggest mistake people make when painting brick?
A: The biggest mistake is using non-breathable paint. This traps moisture, which ruins the brick from the inside out.
Q: How long does brick paint usually last outside?
A: A high-quality acrylic or elastomeric paint, applied correctly, can last 10 to 15 years or more before needing touch-ups.
Q: Which paint type is best for very old, crumbly brick?
A: Mineral or silicate paints are often recommended for very old or historic brick because they bond chemically and are extremely breathable.
Q: Can I use regular exterior house paint on my brick steps?
A: You should avoid it. Steps take heavy foot traffic. Use a specialized masonry or deck paint that is formulated for abrasion resistance.
Q: How do I stop white spots (efflorescence) from showing through the new paint?
A: You must clean the efflorescence off completely before painting. Use a stiff brush and a special cleaner, then rinse well. Use a good quality masonry sealer or primer designed to block efflorescence.
Q: Is painting brick a good idea for my home’s value?
A: It depends on your location and the style of your home. While it can boost curb appeal, some buyers prefer the look of natural brick. Research local trends first.
Q: Should I use a roller or a sprayer for brick?
A: A sprayer is often faster for large, textured areas. However, you must follow up immediately with a roller or brush (back-rolling) to push the paint deep into the pores of the brick for the best bond.
Q: Does painting brick stop water leaks?
A: Good elastomeric paint can help seal the surface against rain penetration. However, paint cannot fix structural cracks or foundation issues causing major leaks.