How to Whitewash Exterior Brick in 3 Easy Steps!
Update interior or exterior paint inexpensively with these three easy steps!
I've been wanting to change the red brick on the base of our front porch ever since we moved in. When I saw an episode on Fixer Upper I decided right then and there I was going to do it! Unfortunately, the technique Chip used requires an application of mortar, and that folks, put me WAY out of my comfort zone. So I started to do some research and found that whitewashing was very similar, except instead of mortar you applied either a mixture of lime and water or paint and water.
Since I've never worked with lime and it didn't sound pleasant, I decided to go the easier route and use paint. The only problem is, I couldn't find anything online that told me the best paint to use for Minnesota winters and hot humid summers. After all, I wanted it to stay on for more than a year! Then I spoke to one of our contractor friends and he recommended trying a good quality primer.
OTHER MATERIALS NEEDED:
- Dish soap
- Water
- Bucket
- Plastic for drips
- Paint Brush
- Primer (I used Kilz)
- Hose
- Good spray nozzle
After I had washed and rinsed the brick thoroughly-I allowed it to dry. TIP: Brick may 'look' dry but it will take at least 24 hours to dry completely. And this will depend on temperature and humidity**
As far as 'technique' there really isn't one. I just loaded up the brush and moved it in a criss-cross pattern. You will want to put the primer on thicker in spots and less in others to get that 'schmear' look.
After I finished painting all the brick with the primer, I stepped back and took a close look. Any area that didn't look the way I wanted got touched up by me dabbing my brush onto the brick. I tried to get into all the grooves and cover them up as much as possible.
UPDATE: I originally painted the brick in the summer of 2016. Here is a photo taken in the fall of 2018. This is after two blustery-sub zero temperature Minnesota winters. And two hot and VERY humid summers. As you can see the brick held up very well.
You can find more details on this project over on my blog. We also replaced our porch columns and you can find that post here.
Resources for this project:
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I like it, but I think the reason some don't is that the red mulch may be throwing them off. Personally, I think a natural color mulch would look better!
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Thank you! I’d love to except it’s all covered up by snow!!
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Thanks for the tutorial! I've been planning to do this to our exterior red eighties brick which is crumbling in spots...didn't realize you could use just primer, but in our case I think we'll have to use the liming mortar/paint due to the damaged brick... yours has held up extremely well and it looks great!
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Thank you so much, Patti! We had a few bricks with just slight chipping that the primer covered well. We sold the home a year ago, but the brick was still looking well and that was over 5 years after we painted it! Good luck! I would love to see how yours turns out!
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I also think some folks just like the original color of brick which I completely understand.
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It looks very nice!!! I have a question. Do the brick and mortar need to "breathe"??? I just have no knowledge of this, which is why I am asking. Since you spoke with your contractor friend, I am assuming that it doesn't.
I love it! But, I love whitewash. I have stupid brick as my backsplash in my kitchen (not from me, prior owner). I wonder if I could do this to it? Can't afford to have replaced right now so trying to think of something to do with it.
Hi! I love the look! We have a lot of brick on our exterior, and this looks like an easy way to get a whole new look for the house!
Just one question,what is the ratio of paint to water?
Thanks,
Lace