http://petethepainter.com/news/ en pete.wirtz@petethepainter.com Copyright 2011 2011-12-31T21:56:55+00:00 http://www.petethepainter.com/site/exterior_paint_colors_-_how_to_choose/ http://www.petethepainter.com/site/exterior_paint_colors_-_how_to_choose/#When:20:56:55Z "Dupioni"; "Faux bois"; "Intaglio"; "Pulmonaria"... Rare tropical diseases?European politicians?Expensive appetizers? Nope, they're paint colors! If you're thinking of painting the outside of your house you might be wondering whatever happened to red, green, and blue! Paint Paralysis The dizzying array of color choices and their associated names are enough to give a homeowner a case of Chromophobia - the fear of colors. How do you decide what color(s) to use when there are so many options? At $40 a gallon or more for quality exterior latex, you can't afford to make a mistake. And if you don't like the colors, your neighbors probably won't either; colors have public impact - you're not the only one who has to live with them. But a little research and planning can help you get started with the confidence that the final paint job is one that you - and your neighbors - will be pleased with. Field, Trim, and Accent An existing house isn't a blank canvas - after all, you're not changing the color of the roof, the brick or stone, and maybe not even the windows (if they're vinyl or aluminum clad). Roofs and masonry walls are large areas of unbroken color and natural starting points for creating a palette. An exterior paint scheme should be made up of at least three colors: the field - large areas such as walls or roofs; the trim - corner boards, window trim, fascias, rakes, etc.; and accent - specific elements including doors, shutters, and other architectural features. Field colors make up the majority of what you'll see on the house and will lead you to the choice of trim and accent. Are you trying to make your house look a little more prominent on the street? A lighter field color will make it look larger; a darker color will visually shrink it. "Unattractive" elements - gutters, downspouts, etc., should also be painted the field color to help them "disappear" into the background. But it's the trim color that can make or break the scheme. Painting the trim the same color as the field can work in some cases, but it can also give the house an "unfinished" or "wedding cake" look. Darker trim - especially around the windows - can cause a "frame" effect, where the windows look like pictures hung on a wall. Keeping the trim lighter than the field is almost always a safe bet. The accent color is where the excitement is. Once you've chosen an attractive combination of field and trim, make it "pop" with an eye-catching accent color. It's a tool to give life to an otherwise muted color scheme and draws attention to the important features of the house. The front door, shutters, and the windows frames (not the trim) are good places for accent colors. Windows painted with accent and trim colors together can be the most interesting part of the composition. Choosing a Paint Scheme The two most important considerations in choosing a color scheme are the architecture of the house and the neighborhood context. Historic architectural styles, for example, look best in their original color schemes, although these can vary quite a bit. Original Colonial and Colonial Revival homes were often quite colorful on the inside, but less so on the exterior. Often they were painted in a single color for the field and trim, with a second color for an accent. Combined with prominent red brick chimneys and a brick or stone base, the effect is a three-color scheme. Victorian homes - often referred to as "painted ladies" - sometimes showed off six or more colors of trim and accent. Making that look good today takes the services of a color specialist and a lot of time. But a similar effect can be had with as little as three colors if they're well placed on the house. The Craftsman style of the early 20th Century sported a darker, earthier color scheme using deep browns, greens, and reds. The current popularity of the style is making more homeowners consider richer color schemes for their homes. Take cues from the other houses in your area - a house should have its own personality and style, but houses don't look good in "party dress" all the time. Final Coat Whether you're comfortable with choosing colors or not, you have several resources that can make the decision much easier. Many paint manufacturers have produced pre-selected color palettes arranged by architectural style or color range that specify compatible field, trim, and accent colors. They're available at paint and building supply stores and most are very well done. Many paint companies have online paint selection programs that suggest proper color combinations - some even allow you to preview colors on photographs of real houses, or on a digital photo of your own home. Sherwin-Williams.com and Lowes.com both have excellent online tools. Plan ahead, be bold in your color choices, and use paint company resources. But don't ask for red, green, or blue in the paint store - they won't know what you're talking about! 2011-12-31T20:56:55+00:00 http://www.petethepainter.com/site/how_to_paint_exterior_brick/ http://www.petethepainter.com/site/how_to_paint_exterior_brick/#When:20:56:04Z Learn how to paint exterior brick in order to further protect your home from the elements and change the look of your home at a reasonable price. When painting, follow instructions and make careful preparations to avoid costly mistakes. Tools and Materials Needed Pressure washer Detergent Ladder Scrub brush Wire brush Circular sander 80-grit sandpaper Acrylic mortar patch Foam backer rod Acrylic or latex Primer Elastomeric Paint Paint sprayers Brushes Roller Drop clothes Step 1 - Clean the Brick Wash the surface thoroughly with a pressure washer, 1500 to 2000 psi. Don’t use any more pressure than that because too much force might damage the mortar. Add soap to stream for more difficult efflorescence and mildew deposits. The point is to get rid of all dirt, grime and loose paint—nothing else. Once washing is completed, be sure to allow the brick plenty of time to fully dry. This will take a few days at least because brick is a porous material that traps moisture. Step 2 - Remove Loose Paint and Fix Mortar Remove all loose paint or else it will cause early chipping. Use a hand scraper or wire brush. Then sand the brick smooth using either a palm or circular sander with a minimum 80 grit paper. Repair all missing and damaged mortar. You can use a premixed acrylic mortar patch that enables you to prime and paint as soon as it is dry. Alternatively, you can mix a powder mortar yourself, but this will take a few days to dry before you are able to begin priming. Step 3 - Prime the Brick Always use a high quality acrylic or latex masonry primer for painting exterior brick. Remember all mortar as well as brick should be primer. It typically takes 1 to 2 hours for the topcoat to dry. Prime those places where efflorescence and mildew occurred first so you can give an extra coat if needed. Give time for primer to dry completely before moving on to painting. Step 4 - Caulk and Seal Caulk any area that can let water in, as small as a sixteenth of an inch. This includes doors, windows, trim as well as places like chimney caps. Before beginning remove all the dust with a brush or vacuum. Be sure to use 100 percent acrylic caulk and a foam backer rod for bigger cracks. You may need to repeat this process after 3 to 5 hours. Step 5 - Painting Exterior Brick When choosing exterior house paint elastomeric or 100 percent acrylic latex are the best. Apply two coats in order to achieve its highest durability. For best results, spray the first coat of paint and then back brush it. You can then simply spray the second coat without back brushing. You can also brush or roll brick if you’re more comfortable with these methods. Just be sure to use at least a ¾-inch or thicker cover. 2011-12-31T20:56:04+00:00 http://www.petethepainter.com/site/what_is_the_process_for_painting_exterior_brick_houses/ http://www.petethepainter.com/site/what_is_the_process_for_painting_exterior_brick_houses/#When:20:56:00Z Do not paint bare brick. Before you attempt to paint your brick house, you should understand that bare brick is not conducive to paint adhesion and will shed new finishes. You must employ the proper preparation and application techniques, or your paint job will most likely fail. Cleaning Exterior brick is most often coated with unseen dust that greatly inhibits primer and paint adhesion. Use a pressure washer to eliminate this dust. Once the brick is clean, wait about four hours for the brick to dry. Priming Apply a base coat of primer, prior to painting. Use an acrylic latex primer for exterior brick surfaces. Use a roller to apply the primer and a paintbrush, manufactured for use with water-based coatings, to prime the mortar between the bricks. Painting Once primed, exterior brick houses will accept new paint. An acrylic latex paint is best suited for exterior brick because the paint possesses great elasticity, allowing it to expand and shrink in hot and cold temperatures. Apply the paint just as you did the primer. Multiple coats are not necessary unless the primer bleeds through. 2011-12-31T20:56:00+00:00 http://www.petethepainter.com/site/how_to_paint_brick/ http://www.petethepainter.com/site/how_to_paint_brick/#When:20:54:47Z Choosing the right brick paint for brick houses and exterior walls If you have a brick house that needs a facelift, before you pick up a brush and paint can, read below. Although you can paint brick without causing damage to the surface, there are certain things you should know about the process prior to heading out to the paint store. Once you've finished this project, if you're feeling adventurous, I'd suggest checking out Earth 4 Energy - Make your own solar panels! - you'll be saving money on your energy bills in no time! Why Paint Brick? People choose to paint brick houses if the brick is damaged or is of inferior quality. White stains and areas of discolored brick can be eye sores that beg to be cleaned up and covered. Choosing the best brick paint is really important; elastomeric paint can do wonders to the look of faded/damaged brick because of its thick coat and elasticity. If your brick is not damaged and looks good in its normal condition you may want to consider keeping it. Once you paint brick you commit yourself to years of maintenance potentially. If you use the proper brick paint and prep the area correctly, however, you can prevent this constant upkeep. Efflorescence. Efflorescence is white staining that occurs on exterior brick as a result of salt deposits. When water interacts with the brick the salt inside the material dries and stains. These stains can be difficult to remove and will not usually disappear permanently with plain water. Sometimes you can remove the stains with a stiff brush. If this method does not work try applying a diluted formula of muriatic acid. Consult a mason before you do this, however, as not all efflorescence will be cleaned by this acid. When you are applying the solution be aware that you are working with acid -- a potentially dangerous substance. Use gloves and the proper applicators. Preparation: Scraping and Caulking. Eliminate, first, any efflorescence with the above method(s). Using a scraper, widen cracks that are preexisting. Eliminate the dust in the brick with a brush and/or power vacuum device. Seal the cracks with 100% acrylic or siliconized acrylic caulk. You made need to repeat the application three to five hours later if needed. If there are joints that need mending re-point them as well. Be sure that the chimney caps have no cracks or holes in them. 2011-12-31T20:54:47+00:00 http://www.petethepainter.com/site/how_to_paint_an_exterior_brick_wall/ http://www.petethepainter.com/site/how_to_paint_an_exterior_brick_wall/#When:20:54:41Z If you have ever driven through older neighborhoods, where the brick homes date back to the early 1900s, you have seen how beautiful painted brick walls can be. Some people choose vibrant colors as a change from the standard brick color or to accent more neutral walls. The brick walls can last a long time as they don't lose the mortar that is holding them together. With the increased concern about building green, you may be surprised to learn that brick is a very thermal building product. It holds the heat and releases it slowly, reducing heating costs in winter. It also allows the structure to breathe. So when you're painting, it is important to not seal the surface.   Difficulty: Moderate Instructions Things You'll Need: 2 ½-inch paintbrush ¾-inch lamb's wool roller Latex or Portland cement paint Primer for latex paint on brick Paint trays 1 Prepare the surface for painting. Any moss growing on the surface or old ivy vine tendrils will need to be scrubbed off. Check all the bricks for soundness. If any are loose they will need to be reset before painting. Look at the mortar to make sure it is not cracking or loose, either. It is also important to note where all the vent holes or weep holes are so you don't block them with paint. 2 Clean the wall with a power washer to remove the accumulated grit and grime from over the years. You want the surface to be as clean as possible for a good adhesion of the paint. Power washing can damage brick, especially if the brick is very old, so consult a professional if necessary. You may be just as successful with a cleaning solution and scrub brushes. 3 Choose the paint for your wall. Latex and Portland cement-based paints are most commonly used as they will allow your wall to breath while still resisting water. You local paint dealer should be able to assist you in your choices for the right product for your application. Typically, a primer will be used to help make sure you get the best adhesion from the paint. 4 Dry the wall completely after cleaning. Since the brick is porous, it will soak up water and will need to be allowed to dry out before you start painting. Trying to paint on a damp wall will only cause problems as the paint will dry blotchy since some areas on the surface of the brick will be wet and pull the paint into the brick. 5 Apply the coat of primer and allow it to dry for the recommended amount of time, anywhere from 1 hour to 24 hours, depending on the type of paint and the environment. Start at the top and work down both with the primer and the paint. Whatever your roller doesn't coat can be touched up with the paint brush. 2011-12-31T20:54:41+00:00 http://www.petethepainter.com/site/how_to_paint_an_exterior_brick_mural/ http://www.petethepainter.com/site/how_to_paint_an_exterior_brick_mural/#When:20:54:37Z You love your brick fencing for the privacy, but looking at it gets kind of bland. You can fix that if you turn the blank brick face into an exciting exterior mural. It's a big job, for sure, but it's one that can brighten any yard, alleyway or side of the house, turning the mundane into the artistic. Instructions   Things You'll Need: Hose and rags Paint scraper or sandpaper (optional) Masonry or brick primer Paint roller Exterior paint Brushes (optional) Chalk 1 Clean the wall. Hose off any dust, debris and caked-on gunk that may be stuck to your wall. Use a paint scraper or sandpaper for anything that is really stuck. Rinse well and allow to dry. 2 Apply primer. Get masonry or brick primer from the local home or hardware store. Starting at one top corner of the brick wall, coat the wall with an even, rolling motion. 3 Draw your outline. The primer will be a little sticky once it's ready for the paint, but it will still allow you to draw a rough draft of your design, if desired. Use a piece of chalk or pastel to draw an outline of your mural. 4 Fill it in. Once your rough draft is up, all you need to do is follow the lines with exterior paint. You can use exterior spray paint that sticks to brick or, if using brushes, opt for exterior masonry paint that was specially formulated to stick to brick. 2011-12-31T20:54:37+00:00 http://www.petethepainter.com/site/how_to_paint_exterior_brick_on_a_house/ http://www.petethepainter.com/site/how_to_paint_exterior_brick_on_a_house/#When:20:54:29Z Painting a brick exterior on a house can be a time consuming job, but the results are often worth the effort. Some people adamantly feel that exterior brick should not be painted with house paint, while others enjoy the aesthetic look of exterior paint on brick. Painting exterior brick is a choice that comes down to personal preference, functional need and style. It's ideal to paint over a brick exterior when it is damaged or unsightly. If the exterior brick is in good shape, but you just want it to be a different color, hire a professional brick tinting company to fix it. Tinting avoids some of the pitfalls of brick paint (fading colors, peeling, staining, trapping water, etc). Here's how to paint a brick exterior on a house and make it last: Difficulty: Moderate Instructions   Things You'll Need: exterior latex masonry primer cement base acrylic latex house paint (main house color and 1-2 accent colors) pressure washer premixed mortar patches siliconized acrylic caulk painters tape pencil scraper paint sprayer, rollers, and brushes paint drop cloths old rags 1   Purchase exterior house paint supplies. Purchase exterior house paint supplies from a local paint store or home improvement store. Make sure you buy a high quality exterior latex masonry primer and a cement base acrylic latex house paint that will allow moisture to leave the bricks. Avoid latex or alkyd exterior paint colors - they will only degrade the brick and cost you a lot of money in maintenance down the road. There will be many exterior house paint colors to choose from at the store, so have an idea of the paint colors you're looking for before you go. 2   Pressure wash the exterior brick before painting. Pressure wash the exterior brick with a 1500 psi pressure washer to remove dirt and debris. Be careful not to apply too much pressure too closely or you'll damage the mortar. Make sure the surface is as clean as you can get it before you start the exterior painting. A clean surface helps the paint adhere better and last longer. 3   Repair damaged mortar with premixed mortar patch. Use premixed mortar to repair damaged areas before house painting. Follow the manufacturer's directions for drying time. The exterior house paint will look newer and last longer if the underlying structure is repaired and in good shape. 4   Apply exterior latex masonry primer. Apply a high quality exterior latex masonry primer to the bricks. Exterior house painting is easier when the bricks are primed beforehand - you won't have as much back brushing to do. 5   Caulk gaps with siliconized acrylic caulk. Use siliconized acrylic caulk to caulk any gaps and keep water out. Also caulk around wood trim, windows and doors to seal them. Consider hiring a painting company to do this step if caulking becomes too tedious. 6   Spray the exterior brick with acrylic latex house paint. Use a paint sprayer to spray acrylic latex house paint on the exterior bricks and use a paintbrush to fill in any areas that you can't reach with the paint sprayer. Let it dry according to the manufacturer's directions, then apply a second coat as needed. Exterior home painting is often easier if you use a paint sprayer, but you can use rollers and brushes if you prefer. 7 Add one or two accent colors to the house. Add one or two accent colors to the house. Accent paint colors can be added to wood trim, doors, the roof, trellis structures, shutters, columns, etc. The point is to visually balance the accent colors and brick colors to the style of the house and the aesthetic look of the neighborhood. If you skip this step, your home may end up looking like the odd house on the block! Once you paint a brick exterior, it will be hard to remove it, so be sure you like the look of painted brick before you start! Painting exterior brick means you will have to paint it again in the future, so make sure you add painting and maintenance costs to your overall budget. Painting exterior brick always costs more than not painting it. You may have to paint your home every few years just to keep painted brick looking new. If this is not something you want to do, consider hiring a professional brick tinting company to tint the bricks instead. Review the resources below and/or talk with a professional house painter, paint specialist or designer before purchasing paint supplies. You need to make sure that what you buy is suitable for exterior brick and the aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood. If your exterior brick has old paint on it and you want to remove it, pressure wash or sandblast the bricks until the paint comes off. HOWEVER, if you think the old house paint may have lead in it, don't pressure wash, sandblast or scrape it off! Hire a lead specialist to remove the paint for you. Lead paint can be hazardous to your health. 2011-12-31T20:54:29+00:00 http://www.petethepainter.com/site/exterior_brick_house_painting_techniques1/ http://www.petethepainter.com/site/exterior_brick_house_painting_techniques1/#When:20:54:17Z You want to give the exterior brick walls of your house a brand new look. Where do you start? Have you any idea what needs to be done? Painting theexterior of a home is an extremely important home renovation step. You need to consider a lot of things before you head out to the paints store. You have to visualize the entire procedure step by step and prepare well, to get excellent results. Points To Consider Before Painting Brick Painting the exterior brick walls of your home can give it a new look and feel. If your exterior brick walls are damaged and have areas which are stained or discolored you could do with brand new paint. Efflorescence is white staining which occurs in brick as a result of salt deposits. These needs to be removed before you start painting the exterior brick walls. Some acids can be used to remove the stains. After removing the stains you will need to remove the dust and widen the cracks that pre exist. You can then seal the cracks with acrylic caulking. This may require to be repeated to be effective. If there is mildew on your brick it can be removed with bleach. Using a pressure washer is good to get the dust, dirt and loose paint out. Even dissolved laundry detergent and a scrub brush can help as you need to have a very clean surface to apply the primer. Next priming may be needed to be done which should suit masonry surfaces. After the primer is completely dry you can apply the top coat of the color of your choice. It would be a good idea to apply two layers or coats so that you get the best looking color and best sealing for the brick. An important point not to be overlooked is even if your painting is a do-it-yourself job, it would help to consult professional masons and painters as you have to learn to handle the materials right and get the best results. Some of the items you use may be dangerous and you need to wear gloves before you handle them. You need advice about what colors are suitable as well. Painting Most people choose light colored paint for brick walls and it gives a very fresh and new look. You also need to choose a color that blends well with the neighborhood, unless your home is deep on a wooded lot or on a large plot of land. It should not clash with the colors of the houses nearby. The color should match with the basic design of your home as well. Brick is porous so though it appears dry on the outside it can hold moisture inside so it needs to dry out completely, so you need to ensure enough time. When completely dry you can go ahead and apply the primer coat. Special primer paints designed for bricks is available. Use top quality paints, products and material will result in lower maintenance costs and less repair work in future. Surface preparation is very important for brick walls. Removing the previous stain is important. If the brick is new you need to let it age for at least a year before you start painting. If you don't wait the ore in the paint will leak out and discolor the painting. Choosing the best brick paint is very important and elastomeric paint is considered very effective and can do wonders for your brick walls. When you consider painting of the exterior brick walls of your home it would be a good idea to hire a professional contractor who gives you the best and most cost effective service. They have the required experience and will plan and do your work for you in the least possible time instead of you struggling with inexperience. It can prove to be an easier way, of giving a terrific new look to your home. 2011-12-31T20:54:17+00:00 http://www.petethepainter.com/site/exterior_brick_house_painting_techniques/ http://www.petethepainter.com/site/exterior_brick_house_painting_techniques/#When:20:54:11Z You want to give the exterior brick walls of your house a brand new look. Where do you start? Have you any idea what needs to be done? Painting the exterior of a home is an extremely important home renovation step. You need to consider a lot of things before you head out to the paints store. You have to visualize the entire procedure step by step and prepare well, to get excellent results. Points To Consider Before Painting Brick Painting the exterior brick walls of your home can give it a new look and feel. If your exterior brick walls are damaged and have areas which are stained or discolored you could do with brand new paint.  Efflorescence is white staining which occurs in brick as a result of salt deposits. These needs to be removed before you start painting the exterior brick walls. Some acids can be used to remove the stains.  After removing the stains you will need to remove the dust and widen the cracks that pre exist. You can then seal the cracks with acrylic caulking. This may require to be repeated to be effective. If there is mildew on your brick it can be removed with bleach.  Using a pressure washer is good to get the dust, dirt and loose paint out. Even dissolved laundry detergent and a scrub brush can help as you need to have a very clean surface to apply the primer. Next priming may be needed to be done which should suit masonry surfaces. After the primer is completely dry you can apply the top coat of the color of your choice. It would be a good idea to apply two layers or coats so that you get the best looking color and best sealing for the brick.  An important point not to be overlooked is even if your painting is a  do-it-yourself job, it would help to consult professional masons and painters as you have to learn to handle the materials right and get the best results. Some of the items you use may be dangerous and you need to wear gloves before you handle them. You need advice about what colors are suitable as well. Painting Most people choose light colored paint for brick walls and it gives a very fresh and new look. You also need to choose a color that blends well with the neighborhood, unless your home is deep on a wooded lot or on a large plot of land. It should not clash with the colors of the houses nearby. The color should match with the basic design of your home as well. Brick is porous so though it appears dry on the outside it can hold moisture inside so it needs to dry out completely, so you need to ensure enough time. When completely dry you can go ahead and apply the primer coat. Special primer paints designed for bricks is available.  Use top quality paints, products and material will result in lower maintenance costs and less repair work in future. Surface preparation is very important for brick walls. Removing the previous stain is important. If the brick is new you need to let it age for at least a year before you start painting. If you don't wait the ore in the paint will leak out and discolor the painting. Choosing the best brick paint is very important and elastomeric paint is considered very effective and can do wonders for your brick walls.  When you consider painting of the exterior brick walls of your home it would be a good idea to hire a professional contractor who gives you the best and most cost effective service. They have the required experience and will plan and do your work for you in the least possible time instead of you struggling with inexperience. It can prove to be an easier way, of giving a terrific new look to your home. 2011-12-31T20:54:11+00:00 http://www.petethepainter.com/site/what_you_need_to_know_about_painting_exterior_brick1/ http://www.petethepainter.com/site/what_you_need_to_know_about_painting_exterior_brick1/#When:20:54:06Z Painting exterior brick areas is a great way to change the look and feel of your home without doing a major remodel or costing a great deal.  A home with a lot of brick can easily look dark or uninteresting. Adding some paint can make the design and features of the house really stand out and look great.  Whether it is on the side of the house, a decorative pillar, a fence, or any other brick feature, take a closer look at using paint to dress things up. The majority of people who choose painting exterior brick walls will choose a lighter color, such as white or other light shades.  The look is very clean and fresh, and makes the home look almost new again.  Before you start painting your bricks, there are a few things you need to do first.  Surface preparation is always important when painting and is especially important for painting brick.  Painting Exterior Brick If the brick area is new, you should let it age for at least a year before painting.  This allows any ore in the brick to leech out. If you don’t wait, then the leeching will discolor the paint.  When you are ready, you should pressure wash the areas thoroughly and allow it to dry for three to four days.  Remember that brick is a porous material so it will hold extra moisture even when it appears dry to the touch. It is for this reason that you need to allow extra time to ensure that the brick is completely dry. Once the brick work is clean and dry you can go ahead and apply the primer coat.  There are several kinds of primer paints designed especially for brick and other masonry materials, so read the manufacturer recommendations and choose the one that best matches your circumstances.  After the primer is completely dry you can apply a top coat of paint in the color of your choice.  It is a great idea to apply two coats of top coat to get the best sealing of the brick and the best looking color.  Choose the highest quality 100% acrylic latex paint you can find so that the paint will last longer and not need repainting as often.  With just a few simple steps, painting exterior brick is a terrific way for homeowners to update the look of their home. 2011-12-31T20:54:06+00:00