Hey Linda! German smear is adding wet mortar to the surface and then removing some before it's dry and hard. There are different colors of mortar you can use and people often choose white or close to it. It's very easy, but also messy. Is this for inside or outside? German smear is often confused with white wash. White wash is painting a surface with white latex paint and then wiping it off before it dries.
Start on the side or back of the house in an inconspicuous area to get your technique down pat before working on the front of the house that you see from the street.
Mix plaster with water according to directions to make a quart. Then add one quart (4 cups) of white, ash, or gray paint to the plaster and mix until that is smooth. Use a stiff 6-8” paintbrush, a trowel, or another tool that will fit into the mixing bowl or bucket. Dip the tool into the mix, then “paint” the bricks with the mix. Try to paint in straight horizontal lines. Each line will run out of mix in uneven strokes. That’s one of the elements of German smear. Leave some rows of bricks between the smear. Overlap some strokes of smear. Do not paint the whole area in a coat of smear—it’s supposed to look sketchy—as if it had once been painted all over, but like big sections had fallen off.
You can do the same job with only paint. It just won’t quite look as realistic. Best wishes. ☺️
There isn't one. It will take time and effort. Cover areas you don't want to get spots of paint on etc. Maybe you could try using a sponge and dryer mix of paint. Good luck!
I was wondering if you could help me with something -- I have an entirely oak kitchen. I know it's the rage now to paint or gel stain cabinets. I've been considering ...
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Edit:””” 3 years later😂 I decided to paint them white and I am so very pleased with the results!We bought a new house with these ugly cabinets. I really cann...
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Hi Linda, Wendi from H2O Bungalow shared a lovely video that will show you how to do it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro6_g4lR0ys
Hey Linda! German smear is adding wet mortar to the surface and then removing some before it's dry and hard. There are different colors of mortar you can use and people often choose white or close to it. It's very easy, but also messy. Is this for inside or outside? German smear is often confused with white wash. White wash is painting a surface with white latex paint and then wiping it off before it dries.
Are you a Fixer Upper fan? Easy is a matter of interpretation, but anyone, with a little effort can learn. Here are some sites to whet your appetite.
https://extremehowto.com/how-do-i-apply-a-german-schmear-to-brick/
https://youtu.be/g3RTWcq7ye4
https://thetarnishedjewelblog.com/tag/german-smear-tutorial/
Start on the side or back of the house in an inconspicuous area to get your technique down pat before working on the front of the house that you see from the street.
Mix plaster with water according to directions to make a quart. Then add one quart (4 cups) of white, ash, or gray paint to the plaster and mix until that is smooth. Use a stiff 6-8” paintbrush, a trowel, or another tool that will fit into the mixing bowl or bucket. Dip the tool into the mix, then “paint” the bricks with the mix. Try to paint in straight horizontal lines. Each line will run out of mix in uneven strokes. That’s one of the elements of German smear. Leave some rows of bricks between the smear. Overlap some strokes of smear. Do not paint the whole area in a coat of smear—it’s supposed to look sketchy—as if it had once been painted all over, but like big sections had fallen off.
You can do the same job with only paint. It just won’t quite look as realistic. Best wishes. ☺️
We did a similar effect on our faux brick wall: https://www.frugalfamilytimes.com/2018/06/how-to-make-faux-brick-wall-look-real.html
Thank you very much.
Hello,
There isn't one. It will take time and effort. Cover areas you don't want to get spots of paint on etc. Maybe you could try using a sponge and dryer mix of paint. Good luck!