How to Paint Over Efflorescence Bricks

Spray the brick for three to five minutes with plain water.

Put on acid-resistant gloves, acid-resistant coveralls, acid-resistant goggles or a full-face shield and an acid-approved respirator.

Add 10 parts water and then 1 part muriatic acid to a bucket for dark brick surfaces. If the bricks are light in color, add 15 parts water to a bucket and then 1 part muriatic acid.

Dip a long-handled scrub brush into the acid solution. Scrub the wet brick surface to remove the efflorescence.

Rinse the bricks with clear water for five to ten minutes to thoroughly flush the muriatic acid from the surface. Let the brick dry for a minimum of 24 to 48 hours.

Examine the mortar joints for signs of loose or crumbling mortar. Chip the damaged mortar out of the joint with a masonry cold chisel and hammer. Mix mortar with water according to the package directions, and squeeze new mortar into the joints with a grout bag. Let the mortar set for 72 hours.

Pour a specialized, permeable masonry primer into a painter's tray.

Attach a long handle to a 3/4-inch nap roller. Roll the paint roller into the primer. Roll the primer onto the brick. Let the masonry primer dry for three to four hours.

Pour a specialized, permeable masonry paint with a silicone emulsion formulation into a painter's tray. Roll the paint roller through the masonry paint. Roll the paint roller over the brick surface until all bricks have a paint coating. Let the paint dry for three to four hours. Paint a second coat of permeable masonry paint to the bricks with the paint roller.