Some homeowners dream about changing the look and feel of the interior and exterior walls of the home. Unfortunately, they are often put off by the expensive cost of remodeling. A great solution is faux brick panels that are easy to install and capable of transforming virtually any space.
If you have already installed faux brick panels, you may choose to add a splash of color with a coat of paint. You can also start fresh with new faux panels. The great thing about faux brick panels is that they can be adapted to fit almost any aesthetic or style, so let your imagination get to work.
Continue reading for a guide to painting faux brick along with some essential pro tips!
Getting Started
To get started, you will first need to purchase your new faux brick panels or select the desired faux brick surface for the painting job. Depending on the finish you are going for, you will need some or all of these painting tools:
- High-quality water -based paints (single or multiple colors depending on the look you are going for, more on this below)
- Primer
- Paintbrushes or rollers
- Paint sponges
- Paint tray/liner
- Painter's tape
- Spray bottle (for whitewashing)
- Rags for cleaning surfaces
- Drop cloth or plastic sheets to protect surfaces and furniture
You may need to caulk surfaces for new walls before starting, so textured caulk and paints are ideal for touching up areas where you have gaps or screws showing.
What Paint Should I Use On My Faux Brick Walls?
There are many choices out there, but it always pays to invest in high-quality paints and materials, as they last longer and provide superior finishes. You will need to select a base coat color that will mimic the mortar of real bricks. Latex satin paint is typically the best choice.Be sure to avoid oil/solvent based paints as they will not dry when applied to high-density polyurethane.
You will then need to select a glaze or paint finish color to get the exact look you want. High-quality gloss or semi-gloss enamel provides a tough coat to the surfaces that will require less touching up over time.
The colors you choose will depend on the finish you desire. If you are not sure about paint selection, we highly recommend bringing a sample to a associate at the local paint store. They’ll be able to advise you on the best formulation for the substrate.
What Painting Techniques Can I Use On My Faux Brick Walls?
You have numerous options at your disposal when it comes to painting your faux brick walls.
Painting - Traditional painting techniques can be used to add one or multiple colors to the brick walls.
Sponge Painting - Sponge painting is perfect if you want a colorful and playful effect. In this method, you use sponges to apply different colors to individual bricks.
White-washing - Applying a coat of mixed paint and water to add a rustic or industrial brick look.
How To Paint Faux Brick Walls
As mentioned above, there are many different options for painting faux brick. In this section, we’ll focus on standard painting techniques (which is the most common method).
1. Prepare the area
Don’t skip this step. Move any furniture away from the surfaces and cover the floors and surfaces with a drop sheet or painters’ tape.
2. Clean the surfaces
You will need to clean all the surfaces that you plan to paint. Dirt can easily get into the small indentations of the surface. A mixture of water and detergent works well on the walls. Use a rag or other cleaning utensil to thoroughly clean the surfaces.
Don't forget to clean the grout lines and any hard to reach areas. A toothbrush or small wire brush is a great tool to use here.
Once you have finished, clean the surfaces again with only water to remove any remaining detergent from the surface.
3. Apply the base coat
Use a roller to apply the base coat to the surfaces. If you have decided to use more than one color for the base coat, apply the darker color first and let it dry overnight. Then use a sponge to add the lighter color to get an authentic brick texture.
4. Apply finish
If you are going for a single color, put your chosen color in a painting tray. If you are going for a mixture of colors, then you will need to mix these first. You can either use a roller to apply the topcoat to the whole wall or use brushes/sponges to coat specific bricks.
Ensure that you use clean tools and mixing trays for each coat so you don’t get any unwanted mixes.
5. Apply a whitewash
If you want to go for an industrial finish, you can apply a whitewash to the surfaces. This is a great way to age the surfaces and cover any mistakes or blemishes.
Start by heavily diluting a white paint in a paint liner and then using a dry paintbrush to apply the whitewash to the desired surfaces. Keep a spray bottle filled with water handy, as you can use this to thin any paint that looks too thick on the surface.
Tips For Painting Faux Brick Walls
As you follow the above steps, these tips will ensure that you are happy with the results.
Caulk gaps and joints of newly installed faux brick walls
Caulking any gaps, joints, or nails can help create a much smoother surface for painting.
Have fun
You have a blank canvas in front of you. You can mix and match colors to get almost any effect. Try using a mixture of brush and sponge applications to create a unique look.
Use high-quality paints and tools
As with all painting jobs, you get what you pay for. High-quality paints and tools will result in a much better finish and significantly reduce the number of touch-up jobs required in the future.
Ready to get started with your Faux Brick Wall project?