Your complete guide to sprucing up the more permanent parts of your home.
Walls, windows, and ceilings aren’t the only surfaces that can benefit from a fresh coat of paint. The bricks, stones, and cement that make up fireplaces and other permanent structures can transform your space with a coat of paint.
However, these materials require different painting methods and prep than wood. If you are looking to try a fun new look on some of your home’s hard textured surfaces, then keep reading! We have all of the information you need to make this process easy and to ensure your end result is stunning.
Check The Area
Before you get started on this painting project, take some time to double-check your subject. Major cracks in the grout, cement, stones, or bricks can be difficult to cover. If your masonry is deteriorating, it may be more worthwhile to get things fixed or redone before you put in all of the effort to paint it.
You should also note that freshly set cement and grout should be completely dried before paint is applied if you want lasting adhesion. Depending on the environment your home is in, full drying may take up to a year.
Pro tip: Never paint wet masonry. Moisture will get trapped behind the paint causing it to bubble or easily tear off.
Picking A Paint
Picking the correct primer and paint combo is half the battle when it comes to making a lasting change to the appearance of any masonry. To start, you need to identify what type of environment your surface is going to be exposed to. Indoor brick, stone, and cement are suited for any elastodynamic or acrylic latex paint. Both of these will dissipate humidity and gently flex to fill the countless minor spaces in these highly textured surfaces.
Also, consider what purpose your brick or stone surface serves. If it is in close proximity to heat or is a fireplace, you will want to purchase heat-resistant and fire-safe paints.
Outdoor bricks require a sturdier paint in comparison to indoor bricks since they need to be pressure washed and are constantly exposed to harsh elements. Latex exterior paint is an excellent choice once again, and it will provide full coverage if you apply it well. There are plenty of other exterior paints and some are even specifically designed for brick, cement, and stone. So take some time to consider your options and determine what look you are going for, especially since it is not the easiest task to remove paint from masonry.
Preparing The Area
The rough textures of masonry can capture quite a bit of dirt and dust over time. Your surface needs to be completely clean for you to maximize the quality and longevity of your paint job, so put an honest effort into this prep process.
First, you are going to want to clean major and stubborn debris from your surface using a wire brush. This process can get messy, so a tarp and an industrial-strength vacuum are very helpful, especially indoors. If there are any especially rough areas you can soften them with sandpaper if you would like.
Then wash the entire surface with a nylon-bristled scrub brush or a sponge soaked in water and vinegar or another cleaning solution meant to remove grease and filth. After you have completed this step, you will want to wash the area once more with plain water and allow it to dry completely. For outdoor surfaces, this process generally includes pressure washing for quick and effective debris removal.
Painting
Now that your surface is clean and dry, you can get to painting! A primer suitable to your surface environment is highly recommended to extend the life of your project. This layer can then be followed by your final paint.
When applying these paints you will want a stiff bristle brush to cover the mortar and reach into any cracks. A roller can be used to cover flatter faces of brick or stone and paint spray guns are also an option for outdoor projects.
Our painting professionals are experienced in a variety of paint-related services, including prep, like power washing. If you are looking for a way to make your painting process easier or you are looking to have the entire process completed for you we would be happy to help.
You can find us at https://www.zuckpainting.com/ or call us at (508)-250-7272 for a free estimate.