How to Paint a Brick Wall Interior

Cleaning and Repairing the Brick

Use a wire brush to remove dirt from the brick wall. It’s important to get rid of any dust or debris that’s currently covering the brick so that the primer and paint will adhere well. Use the wire brush to gently scrub off the dirt, moving the brush in a circular motion as well as back and forth to be sure you get all of the dust. Look for a wire brush at your local hardware store or online.

Wash the brick using soapy water or TSP for a thorough clean. Either create a soapy lather in a bucket using dish soap and water, or combine 0.5 cups (120 ml) of trisodium phosphate (TSP) with 1 gallon (3,800 ml) of water for a deeper clean. Use the wire brush or a different scrub brush to work the cleaning solution into the brick. Rinse the soap or TSP off once you’re finished. Wear gloves and safety goggles if you’re working with TSP. Avoid using cleaners with acid in them, as this can damage the paint after you apply it. Rinse the soap or TSP off using a clean, wet rag.

Let the wall dry for at least 24 hours. Applying primer or paint on a wet brick wall won’t work well, and will likely create uneven results. Wait at least 1 day for the brick to dry completely, waiting even longer if the wall doesn’t have access to sunlight or good ventilation. Help the brick wall dry faster by opening blinds or window shades to expose it to sunlight, as well as by turning on a fan. Touch the brick to see if it’s still wet after one day, or examine its color to see if it’s back to a lighter shade.

Fix any small cracks in the brick using caulking. If there are any cracks along your brick wall, it's important to fix them so they don't grow and ruin your paint job. Insert the tube of caulk into the caulking gun before placing the nozzle tip where you'd like to cover a crack and squeezing the caulk out slowly. Let the caulk dry completely before painting the brick, following the directions that come with it to ensure the cracks are fixed properly. If you see larger cracks or potential structural issues, consult a professional so they can help restore your brick wall before you paint it. If you just have a few very small cracks to fill, it's not necessary to use a caulking gun. Squeezing the caulk directly out of the tube works as well.

Priming the Brick Wall

Tape off edges and areas that you don’t want painted. Use painter’s tape to place tape along the ceiling, side walls, and any other edges or fixtures that you don’t want paint to end up on. Take your time and go slowly to be sure the tape is applied in a straight line. Find painter’s tape at your local hardware or big box store. Put tape around things like light switches or sconces to protect them.

Cover the floor with drop cloths to avoid getting paint on anything. Use a painting drop cloth, piece of plastic, or thick blanket material to cover the floor and any other objects. Extend the drop cloth at least 3 feet (0.91 m) from the wall to help ensure you don’t accidentally drip paint on the flooring. Set up a ladder if needed to reach the top sections of the ceiling safely and more easily.

Apply a latex primer to the brick using a brush or roller. Choose a water-based primer that’s made for brick and masonry so it’s sure to adhere well to the wall. Use a synthetic bristle brush which is great for painting uneven surfaces, or use a roller with a thick nap for a quicker application. Apply the primer to the entire brick wall in an even coating. Most people choose water-based primers for a latex paint when they paint brick walls, but if you’re opting for an oil paint, use an oil-based primer. Primers made for masonry are thinner, which will help the primer get into the brick’s uneven surface.

Let it dry completely before deciding if you need another coat. Wait at least 24 hours for the coating of primer to dry. If you decide you want to add another coat to cover some spots that don’t look as protected as others, apply the second coat the same way you did the first. Brick is very porous, making it more likely that you'll want to apply a second coat of paint to ensure the paint job looks even. Let the second coat of primer dry completely before applying paint.

Applying the Paint

Choose a masonry or latex paint for your brick wall. If you're painting a brick fireplace, it's important to choose a paint that's heat-resistant so it won't bubble up near the flames. Pick out a latex paint that’s flat, semigloss, or gloss depending on your own personal preferences. Visit your local hardware store to find masonry or latex paint perfect for painting brick interiors.

Roll the paint onto the brick evenly using a roller made for textured surfaces. Dip the roller in the paint tray and brush it back and forth in the tray to evenly distribute the paint on the roller before rolling it onto the brick. Apply the paint to the brick using the roller evenly by rolling it back and forth to spread a thin layer over the entire surface. Choose a 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) thick nap roller that will be able to get into all the nooks and crannies of the brick wall. Brick isn’t easily painted with a regular roller due to the extreme textures and uneven surface.

Use a smaller paint brush to get paint into the nooks and crannies of the brick. While the roller will do a great job painting most of the brick wall, you may need to touch up sections using a small paint brush. Dip the brush into the paint and dab the paint into any cracks or spots that aren’t easily covered with a roller. The mortar will likely need to be touched up using a brush, as well as any deep crevices in the bricks.

Let the paint dry for 24 hours before adding another coat. If all of the brick is covered after one coat and you’re satisfied with how it looks, great! Otherwise, repeat the process of applying the paint to the brick using a roller and paint brush to add a second coat. Let any additional coats dry for another 24 hours before placing anything on or next to the brick walls.