How to whiten bricks? Taking on the project is an easy and affordable way to freshen up a dated color palette. Whitewashing can be carried out both on the facade of the house and inside the building, allowing both the renovation of the brickwork on the outside and the fireplace on the inside. With just five simple steps, you can completely change the appearance of any brick surface.
How to whiten bricks in five steps?
Step 1: Clean the brick with a gentle cleaner. Whether you plan to whitewash the brick on your exterior or interior fireplace, start by cleaning the surface you plan to refinish. Make sure you wash both the brick and mortar to achieve a clean and consistent look. While there are many cleaning products you can choose from, regular dish detergent is available. In the case of brick on the facade of a house, pressure cleaning is the best solution.
Step 2: Remove Existing Paint Skip this step if the area you want to whitewash is not painted. However, if the brick has been painted in the past, use a wire brush or paint scraper to remove the old layers. As with cleaning, this step helps create a consistent look and reduces the risk of paint chipping and peeling in the future.
Step 3: Prepare the surroundings Whitewashing brick can be a messy design, so carefully protect the surroundings of the workplace. For outdoor projects, remove shutters and cover windows and fixtures with protective tarps. Before you start whitewashing your brick fireplace, take the same precautions with your mantel and floor.
Step 4: Prepare the whitening mixture The exact ratio for preparing the whitening mixture depends on the final effect you want to achieve on your house facade or in your fireplace. Start with half water and half white latex paint and test a small, hidden area so you can make any corrections. You can also use specialty brick paints that are mineral-based and designed to let the brick breathe rather than retain moisture.
Step 5: Whiten the brick When learning how to whiten brick, you can choose from different methods depending on the effect you want. The simplest choice is to paint the brick with a brush or roller. For a more personalized look, work in sections, spraying the brick with water and then directly applying the paint with a dry cloth.
Things to consider when whitewashing brick
There are a few additional things to consider before you start your brick whitening project. If you have an older home with existing paint on the brick, make sure it is not lead-based. If this is the case, you will need to take extra precautions to remove this toxic material if it is present. Additionally, when considering whitewashing your exterior brick yourself, consider how you will reach hard-to-reach areas, especially if you have a two-story home. In fact, renting a lift may be necessary if you have a particularly tall house. Make sure the additional expense is within your budget and comfort.
How to whiten bricks – summary
Whitewashing brick is a relatively simple project, but at the same time a very personal one. Take the time to create a whitening mixture that will achieve the look you’re interested in, and don’t be afraid to wait for the test area to dry so you know exactly what the end result will be. It’s also important to give yourself enough time to clean the brick before painting and take precautions to keep the surrounding area clean.
