First things first: brick is porous. Like, super porous. It breathes, it sweats, it holds onto memories (and moisture). If you slap on cheap latex paint, you’re basically wrapping your home in a plastic bag that traps water.
Don’t panic. You can paint brick—you just need the right stuff. Masonry paint or mineral-based paint lets the brick breathe. Acrylic latex is okay if you prep like a maniac, but I’d go with a specialized brick paint. Your future self will thank you when your walls aren’t bubbling like a pizza crust.
Step 1: Clean Like You’re Expecting Company
Brick is dirty. Not “dusty,” but “I’ve been sitting outside for forty years” dirty. You need to pressure wash it. Rent a machine, buy a big nozzle, and blast off the grime, moss, and that one weird spider web.
Pro tip: Let the brick dry for at least 48 hours. Yes, that feels like an eternity. But if you paint wet brick, the moisture will push the paint off like a kid pushing broccoli off a plate. Patience is sexy here.
Step 2: The “Is It Weeping?” Test
Now, look for efflorescence—those white, chalky mineral deposits that look like ghost sweat. If you see them, you have a moisture problem. Scrub it off with a wire brush, then fix your gutters. Painting over efflorescence is like putting makeup on a sunburn—pointless and painful.
Spray Paint Exterior Brick at Jack Belser blog
Step 3: Prime Like You Mean It
“But I have paint-and-primer in one!” you say. I hear you, and I’m rolling my eyes with love. Brick is thirsty. It will drink your primer like it’s lemonade on a hot day.
Use a high-quality masonry primer. Roll it on thick. Let it dry. Then look at the brick—if it still looks patchy, do a second coat. Yes, it’s boring. But this is the foundation of your “Oh wow, that looks incredible” moment later.
