If your home has exterior siding, you may need to occasionally paint it to keep it looking sharp. What if you have a different exterior material, though? Can you paint exterior brick? You can, but you might need the help of professionals offering expert exterior painting in San Jose to deliver results that look great and will last.
Preparation of the Brick Cleans It for Priming
Brick preparation is a key step before you can paint it. If you skip this step, your paint job almost certainly will last less than the average of 10 years before it needs to be redone.
Start by power washing the brick surface. Use a gentle level of pressure to avoid damaging the brick or mortar. Allow the material to dry before starting to paint. Even during summer, you should wait at least 48 hours after power washing the brick to allow the porous material to dry.
Additional preparation work you should do includes filling in holes with caulk, mortar, or putty. Cover the windows, trim, doors, light fixtures, and other areas with plastic or painter’s tape to protect them from potential splatters.
Brick Surfaces Require Certain Types of Paint
So, can you paint over exterior brick with any kind of paint? You should use paint specifically made for masonry, as it will offer moisture protection. The good news is that you can select among hundreds of house paint colors when choosing masonry paint.
Most of the time, you’ll need to add masonry primer to the brick exterior. The primer seals the brick and protects it from moisture. It also creates a surface that delivers better adhesion for the top coat of paint. The primer is thick, which reduces the natural roughness of the brick surface.
After the primer has about 24 hours to dry, you can add the top coat. Use heavy-duty masonry paint for the top coat. By doing so, you might only need one coat to finish the job.
Inspect the Brick for Any Missed Spots
Because brick is a rough surface, you might not receive perfect coverage. Closely inspect each section after you paint it for any spots you might have missed. You might want to wait until the sun is shining on the section that you want to check, ensuring you have enough light to see any problems.
Ask Fresh Coats Painting for a Free Price Quote on Your Exterior Paint Work
When you want to refresh the look of your brick masonry home, you may have more options than you realize. Can you paint exterior brick? Adding a weather-resistant finish and masonry paint to your home will protect the brick while giving you the option of adding a new color.
The professionals at Fresh Coats Painting have the skills and experience you can trust for exterior brick painting. We’ll determine whether primer application is necessary and create an estimated drying time for you. For a free cost estimate, contact us today at (408) 409-8389.