Painting brickwork: this is how you do it

Painting bricks and other masonry can produce a beautiful result, provided you carry out the right preparations and use suitable products. Let’s go through it step by step.

Masonry presents specific challenges. Its texture is often rough, with grooves and irregularities, which makes it harder for paint to cover properly. It also tends to absorb moisture easily, which can lead to blistering in the paint layer and eventual peeling. Water can also draw soluble salts out of the brick or mortar, resulting in a white deposit (efflorescence).

Your paint therefore needs to offer good coverage, be water-resistant, and have good vapour permeability so that, for example, rising damp that still finds its way into the bricks can evaporate.

1. The right products: Zinsser® Bulls Eye® 1-2-3 Primer Sealer

Zinsser^® Bulls Eye^® 1-2-3 is a universal, water-based primer that dries quickly, is water-resistant, yet remains breathable. It provides excellent coverage on porous surfaces such as brickwork, blocks most stains, and helps prevent mould growth. It can be applied effortlessly to masonry, both indoors and outdoors.

Bulls Eye 1-2-3

With Zinsser^® Bulls Eye^® 1-2-3 you create a highly adherent base coat that is resistant to water and mould.

Allcoat Interior & Exterior

Zinsser^® Allcoat Interior and Allcoat Exterior provide a flexible and durable topcoat.

2. The correct preparation

Before you start painting, first check the moisture level of the surface using a moisture meter. To use Zinsser^® Bulls Eye^® 1-2-3, the moisture content must not exceed 12%. If it is below 12%, you can follow the steps below. If it is above 12%, the surface is too damp for Bulls Eye^® 1-2-3.

Painting very damp walls requires a different approach. In that case, we recommend treating the surface with two coats of Zinsser^® Watertite. This solvent-based primer prevents continuous water seepage through your brickwork and stops recurring efflorescence. Like Bulls Eye^® 1-2-3, it is also mould-resistant.

Important: new masonry must be allowed to dry for at least 30 days before applying a moisture-resistant coating!

1. Clean the surface

Remove any loose material by scraping or brushing with a stiff brush. Sweep away all remaining dirt from the wall, including moss, mud and dust. Is there mould on the wall? First remove it using a suitable mould remover. Do you notice efflorescence? Preferably brush it off and then rinse thoroughly. If there is a heavy build-up of salts, you can use an acid solution, but always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.

2. Repair loose mortar joints (if necessary)

Remove any loose or unstable mortar and repoint the joints using a suitable cement mortar in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Allow it to cure.

3. Priming the surface

As soon as the surface is free of dust and as smooth as possible, you can start applying the primer.

1. Prepare the primer

First, stir Bulls Eye^® 1-2-3 or Watertite thoroughly. This ensures a consistent colour and texture.

2. Apply the first coat

Apply a single coat of Bulls Eye^® 1-2-3 and allow it to dry for at least 1 hour. Or apply a first coat of Watertite and allow it to dry for at least 4 hours.

3. Apply a second coat (if needed)

If using Bulls Eye^® 1-2-3, a single coat is sufficient. In extremely damp cases, use Watertite and apply a second coat. Allow the second coat to dry for the same amount of time.

4. Finishing the surface

For finishing masonry such as brickwork, Allcoat Interior or Allcoat Exterior are ideal, depending on whether you are painting indoors or outdoors. These fast-drying primers and topcoats in one provide excellent coverage and exceptional flexibility. With Allcoat Exterior, you also make your exterior brick walls weather-resistant while maintaining the necessary vapour permeability.

1. Prepare the paint

Stir Allcoat Interior or Allcoat Exterior thoroughly to ensure a consistent colour and texture.

2. Apply the first coat

Apply the first coat. Use a roller for larger surfaces and a paintbrush for more detailed work. Allow this layer to dry for at least 2 hours.

3. Apply the second coat

Apply a second coat. Allcoat Interior and Allcoat Exterior can be recoated after 1 hour.

Conclusion

Painting masonry such as bricks requires a water-resistant and breathable primer that provides good coverage. This prevents water and soluble salts in the bricks from seeping through the topcoat. Zinsser^® Bulls Eye^® 1-2-3 does this and more: it protects against mould and blocks stubborn stains, including graffiti. For surfaces with heavy water exposure (continuous moisture above 12%), Zinsser^® Watertite is the recommended alternative. Combined with the right finish, both options deliver a smooth and long-lasting result.

Want to know more about the products mentioned?

ZINSSER^® BULLS EYE 1-2-3

Seals stains of graffiti, grease, rust, cedar & redwood tannin
Rust inhibitive coating, ideal for new metal
Adheres to most surfaces without pre-sanding or deglossing
Fast drying
White and pastel shades

ZINSSER^® WATERTITE

Stops up to 2,5 bar water pressure (twice the strength of latex waterproofers)
Prevents water-seepage through cement, masonry and concrete block walls and basement floor
Protection of the dried coat against fungal degradation
Can be applied to wet or dry surfaces
Smooth, non-yellowing eggshell finish
Interior or exterior application
Prevents recurring efflorescence
Fast drying
Great for alkaline surfaces up to 12.5 pH