Brick painting project outside?
Question:How do you prepare brick to paint and be as weather resistant as possible?
Answer one or all questions, we need help. I am working with kids to paint individual bricks to be placed in the ground with just the top side showing to create a border around a garden in the park. The bricks will probably be multiple colors as we are talking about children. I know we have to wash the bricks first, but where do we go from there? Is a primer necessary? What type of paint (acrylic latex)? What if we use outdoor paint such as Folk Art outdoor acrylic.and should we seal it after we paint it, or also seal it before as it is bring placed in the ground and moisture may get to the bricks, or should we even seal them at all?
Answers:
You will want to use a primer on the brick. If they are clay brick, use an exterior latex primer. If you are using concrete block (cinder block) use a latex block filler. Generally, I would recommend an exterior latex paint, which would not require an additional sealer. I am not familiar with Folk Art outdoor acrylic. I would recommend reading the instructions on the paint. No paint will last forever when in contact with the ground. However, if you use a good paint and primer, you should have several years before it needs to be redone.
Another option, if you are using gray concrete blocks, is to use a concrete stain. With stain, you don't have to worry about paint chipping caused by moisture or foot traffic.
If you only want to paint the tops of the bricks, you could use a sealer on the buried portion of the brick to prevent water from wicking up and harming the paint from the underside. (The water gets under the paint and then turns to steam when the sun hits it, causing bubbles.) I would use either UGL sealer or roofing tar (it is messy, but it works well and is cheap)
The bricks will last about 30 years in contact with moderately wet ground with nothing added.
Clean them with (dawn) soap and water
prime with Kilz latex 2 coats
Paint with latex, Folk Art, or paint of your choice, be liberal with the paint. There really is no need to seal them. When the paint dries, it actually is rubber (latex).
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