How to Paint Brick Indoors

Adding a coat of paint to a brick wall or fireplace is an inexpensive way to change the look of a room. Although brick adds an Old World charm to your home, it can also make a room appear smaller and darker. So painting it instantly can brighten and modernize a room. Brick is very porous and soaks up paint quicker than most other materials, so allow one gallon each of primer and paint for every 250 square feet of brick. The amount of paint needed also will vary depending on the color you pick: The lighter the color, the more paint needed to cover the brick.

Things You'll Need

• Acrylic primer
• Acrylic paint
• 3/4-inch-wide paint roller
• 3-inch-wide paintbrush
• Drop cloths

Instructions

1. Cover the floor with a drop cloth. Also cover the mantle around a fireplace, any furniture that cannot be moved and other items that could get spattered. Paint tends to splatter more when painting over brick.

2. Clean the brick. Go over the area using the brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner or a stiff duster brush. Remove dust, cobwebs and any other dirt. If washing the brick with soap and water, let the brick dry for a minimum of 12 hours before painting.

3. Apply primer, using the paint roller. Work in small sections and apply primer from top to bottom. Once the area of brick is covered with primer, use the paintbrush to apply primer to any areas the roller missed, such as between the bricks and the pores of the bricks. Let dry for at least one hour.

4. Paint the bricks using the roller. Paint in small sections; working from top to bottom. Apply at least two coats of paint, because brick is porous and will absorb the paint more easily. A third coat might be necessary, depending on the color you use; the lighter the color, the more coats will be needed. Use the paint brush to push paint into areas between bricks that the roller might miss. Let dry overnight before hanging anything on the brick.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not spray on the paint; this can be messy and will not coat the brick as well.