How to Repaint a Painted Brick Wall

Rub a wire brush over the wall in any spots where the paint is chipped, cracked or peeling.

Fill in holes or cracks in the brick. Use light-weight spackling for smaller holes, textured caulking for larger holes and regular caulking for small or medium cracks. Apply the spackling or caulking according to the manufacturer’s instructions and let it dry completely.

Vacuum the wall with a vacuum cleaner brush attachment. Mix 2 gallons hot water and ½ cup trisodium phosphate into a bucket. Scrub the entire wall with a sponge and the cleaning solution to remove dirt and debris. Rinse the wall well with clean, warm water.

Apply painter's tape around the edges of the wall and baseboard for protection during painting.

Put a paint tray liner into a paint tray. Fill the tray three-quarters full with acrylic primer.

Paint the edges of the wall with a 2-inch polyester/nylon paint brush. Run the brush along the perimeter of the brick wall using smooth, back-and-forth strokes. Back brush over any drips that may form while applying the paint.

Roll a 6- or 9-inch roller into the primer to soak the roller cover. Roll it over the rigid part of the paint tray to remove the excess.

Apply the primer onto the brick wall starting at the top and working toward the bottom. Work in sections about three-square feet. Move the roller across the wall using a “W” formation. Go over the “W” until that section is completely covered. Move on to the next section. Overlap roller strokes when moving from one section to another to ensure adequate coverage. Continue until the entire wall has been primed. Apply the primer to any missed spots of the mortar joints with the paint. Let the primer dry completely according to the manufacturer’s drying instructions.

Apply a second coat of primer if you are painting a lighter color over a darker color. Let the final coat of primer dry before applying paint.

Mix a can of acrylic water-based paint with a paint stirrer. Pour paint into a clean paint tray liner.

Apply the paint to the brick in the same fashion you applied the primer. Apply two coats, if desired, letting the first coat dry before applying the second.