If you’re considering modifying the color of your brick fireplace or home exterior, knowing how to stain brick may be on your to-do list. It’s critical to understand the difference between brick staining and painting in order to get the desired results and to ensure you have the necessary tools and materials for the job. Continue reading to learn how to stain brick and how to assess if staining is the correct decision for your home from Apex Painting Group.
Staining Brick
Prior to beginning your brick-staining endeavor, you’ll need to identify which sort of stain is appropriate for your needs and then acquire all of the necessary tools and ingredients. You can usually test stain samples at most hardware stores, allowing you to play around with different products and find the perfect color.
There are two basic types of brick stain to pick from:
We recommend using a water-based brick stain for the majority of applications. These stains are simple to apply, prevent water accumulation, and allow the brick to breathe.
Stains that have been pre-mixed with sealant. This stain kind of forms a waterproof coating on the bricks, but with time, this might actually increase the water damage. We recommend this stain kind only for tiny sections or cracked and porous brickwork. Sealing the bricks with a sealant creates a vapor barrier, trapping moisture within the bricks. When it freezes, if the water cannot evaporate completely, cracking may result. It’s a good idea to use this in tiny areas or with old brick that may already breathe.
Additionally, you will require the following materials: Paintbrush Rags and drop cloths.
● Tape for painting
● Gently bristling brush
● Pipe
● Washing machine
● After assembling your staining supplies, know the requirements to stain brick on your fireplace or home:
To begin, remove any old sealant and thoroughly clean the brick. Pour some water onto the brick. You’ll need to wash off sealant before staining the brick if the mortar dries and runs off. Removing sealant using lacquer thinner, which should be left to sit for ten minutes before washing away with a hose or power washer, can be attempted outside. Wipe away the inside with water and a rag if it gets dirty.
Even if no sealant is visible on the brick, wash the surface with a light detergent and water from the top down.
Second, protect yourself and your surroundings.
To avoid getting stains on their clothes, as well as any injuries, use protective gear such as safety glasses and drop cloths before beginning the staining procedure. Tape off any sections you don’t want to stain with painter’s tape.
Step 3: Gently follow the stain product’s combining instructions on the container.
In order to get consistent color, mix stain colors while measuring and recording the amounts, so you can repeat the same mix again in the future.
After step #4, use the stain.
Brush the bricks in a single, seamless motion. When laying brick with no filler, use overlapping strokes to make sure each surface is covered twice. Touch up with the brush’s corner as you go. It is essential to swirl the stain every time you dip the brush for consistent color. Spread the stain on the bricks to avoid coloring them all in a row. A stain is something people tend to be afraid of, so it’s important to maintain the stain work looking as natural as possible.
Step #5: Right away, fix any faults and wipe up any messes.
Allow the drips to drip dry. However, they should be wiped away right away using a moist cloth.
Step #6: Let the stain dry thoroughly.
It will rely on the humidity, temperature, and air movement of the location to determine how long it takes to dry.
Staining vs. Painting Exterior Brick: Which Is Better?
While the processes for staining brick are basic, you may be wondering whether painting your home’s brick exterior is a better alternative. If you realize that you are unable to remove the sealant prior to applying stain during the first step above, painting the brick may be your only alternative. A stain will simply not penetrate a brick surface that will not release the sealant.
However, if you are set on staining the brick, consult the pros at Five Star Painting. We have the ability and professional abilities necessary to remove sealant and assist you in achieving your brick staining objectives.
Leave it to the Experts, to complete the process accurately
No need for observation and experimentation or for time spent thinking about possible staining or painting problems. For a quality brick staining or painting service, contact the local experts at Apex Painting Group. To book professional painting services, contact us online or call 239-878-3710.