Brick Paint: What to Use on Exterior Brick and What to Avoid

The right brick paint is a product made for masonry: acrylic masonry paint, elastomeric masonry coating, mineral silicate paint, limewash or a ceramic elastomeric coating, each with different trade-offs in durability and breathability. Avoid oil-based paint on exterior brick, and never paint brick that's wet or pushing out white efflorescence salts.

Fall is a busy season for brick projects around St. Louis and Chesterfield, and homeowners often call with a can of paint already picked out. The product deserves more thought than that. Brick is porous, it holds water and it spends every Missouri winter freezing and thawing.

What kinds of paint can you use on exterior brick?

Five product types are made for exterior masonry. They differ in film thickness, how they bond, how much water vapor they pass and how long they last.

When does acrylic masonry paint make sense?

Acrylic masonry paint is the budget-friendly default for brick that's sound and dry. It goes on like house paint, comes in almost any color and is easy to recoat.

The catch is lifespan. It's a thin film, so it runs on the same 5–7 year cycle as other conventional exterior paint, and brick's rough face makes an even film hard to build with a brush or roller. Look for a product labeled for masonry and stucco rather than general siding paint. Masonry formulas are made to tolerate alkaline mortar.

Is elastomeric paint good for brick?

It can be, on the right wall. Elastomeric coatings go on thick and stay flexible, so they bridge hairline cracks and keep wind-driven rain off the face of the brick. What matters is how well a specific product lets water vapor out.

Brick walls pick up moisture from inside, from the ground and from rain. If a coating stops that moisture from drying outward, it collects behind the film, and a few freeze-thaw cycles can pop the coating loose or take the brick face with it. Elastomeric products vary widely on this, so don't assume. Ask for the product's vapor permeability (perm) rating and whether the manufacturer approves it for your type of masonry. Our earlier post on elastomeric paint coatings goes deeper on how these films behave.

What about mineral silicate paint and limewash?

Both are mineral finishes that soak into the brick instead of sitting on top as a heavy film, and both are highly breathable. They're favorites for historic and never-painted masonry. You give up protection, and with limewash, longevity.

Mineral silicate paint bonds chemically with the brick and holds color well. It generally needs bare masonry or a compatible mineral surface, and it won't bond properly over old acrylic paint. Limewash gives that soft, washed, old-world look a lot of people want right now, and touching it up is easy. It also wears off and it does little to keep water out. If you love the look and don't mind renewing it, it's a fine choice. If your goal is to stop maintaining the wall, it's the wrong one.

How is a ceramic coating different from brick paint?

A ceramic coating is a multi-layer system rather than a single can of paint. Rhino Shield's ceramic elastomeric coating goes on over a masonry primer in multiple coats, building to 8 to 10 mils, roughly 8 to 10 times thicker than conventional paint, with ceramic microspheres that help reflect UV and resist fading.

On a brick house, the job starts with cleaning, mortar and crack repair and caulking. Primer comes next, then the ceramic topcoats. Up front it costs about 2 to 2.5 times a traditional paint job, and it's built so you stop repainting every 5–7 years, which is where the long-term math comes from. You can read more about how ceramic house paint works, or see how we handle exterior brick homes. It belongs on a repaired, dry wall, and it's fair to ask us about vapor permeability for yours.

What should you never put on exterior brick?

Skip oil-based paint, and don't paint brick that's wet or covered in efflorescence. Between them, those two mistakes explain a lot of the peeling and spalling on painted brick in older St. Louis neighborhoods.

• Oil-based (alkyd) paint. It's nearly vapor-tight and reacts badly with the alkalinity in masonry, so it tends to blister, peel and trap moisture in the brick.
• Clear sealers under paint. Water repellents can keep paint from bonding and can trap moisture. Don't stack products without checking that they're compatible.
• Wet brick. Brick holds water for days after a wash or a hard rain, and coatings put on damp masonry lose adhesion.
• Efflorescence. White salt deposits mean water is moving through the wall. Paint over them and the salts push the finish off from behind. Find and fix the water source first.

Does brick need primer before painting?

Usually, yes. A masonry primer evens out porosity, improves adhesion and helps the finish stand up to the alkali in fresh or repaired mortar. Limewash and mineral silicate paint are the exceptions, since they typically go straight onto clean, bare brick.

Which primer depends on the brick and what's already on it. Bare brick usually takes an acrylic masonry primer, and some coating systems specify their own. Previously painted or chalky brick may need loose paint removed and a bonding primer. New mortar from tuckpointing has to cure before it's primed, so follow the mortar maker's guidance on timing. The Master Painters Institute publishes primer and finish specifications by substrate, which makes a good sanity check on any product list a contractor hands you.

Homeowners can tell when a contractor takes the details seriously. One told us:

On brick, the details are the primer, the dry time and a product that suits the wall.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best paint for exterior brick?

It depends on your goal. Acrylic masonry paint is the affordable option, mineral silicate paint and limewash are the most breathable, and a ceramic elastomeric coating offers the most film build and the longest warranty. Whatever you choose should be rated for masonry and applied to dry, repaired brick.

Can you use regular exterior paint on brick?

Standard exterior latex will stick to clean, primed brick, but a product formulated for masonry handles alkalinity and porosity better. Never use oil-based paint on exterior brick. It traps moisture and tends to peel.

Is limewash better than paint for brick?

Limewash is more breathable and gives a softer, aged look, but it wears away and needs renewing. Paints and coatings last longer and protect better against water. Limewash suits homeowners who like the look and accept the upkeep, while a coating suits people who want to stop maintaining the wall.

Why is paint peeling off my brick?

Moisture is the usual cause. Water moving through the wall from bad gutters, failed mortar or ground contact pushes paint off from behind, often leaving white efflorescence. Oil-based paint, painting damp brick and skipping primer are the other common culprits. Fix the water problem before you repaint.

Not sure what your brick needs?

Rhino Shield of Missouri will look at your brick, check the mortar and moisture and give you a straight answer on whether a coating is the right fit. Book a free estimate before the fall schedule fills up, or call 314-239-7947.