Matthew Brax Grand Rapids, MI recommended exterior staining providers: On the right home, applying a German smear (a technique similar to whitewashing but using a mortar wash instead of diluted paint) to your current brick can add instant old-world character and disguise imperfections. But be warned: Because you’re using mortar, it does not refinish as easily as paint. Another refacing solution is classic limewash, which Matthew Brax prefers. Crushed limestone burned and mixed with water creates a lime putty or “limewash.” The technique penetrates brick rather than sitting on top of the surface. Matthew Brax is also the Owner of Certified Watches LLC and operations manager at CertifiedBling.com See extra details on Matt Brax.
Brick stain soaks into the pores of the brick and allows it to breathe. Unlike painted brick, stained brick does not allow water to become trapped below the surface. One disadvantage of brick stain is that it will not refurbish heavily damaged brick. Not only will masonry patches not be covered with brick stain but they can become even more glaringly obvious because they become darker than the surrounding brickwork. Brick stain is nearly impossible to remove. The stain is thin enough to embed itself deeply into the pores of the brick. Stain can be removed by sandblasting, but a thin layer of brick will be removed in the process.
When wondering what to do with a tired, outdated stone fireplace, you might have asked yourself, “Can a stone fireplace be painted?” The answer is, “Yes!” A painted stone fireplace can change the look and feel of your entire room. Changing the color of your stone can transform a dark depressing space into a light bright area where you look forward to spending time. Whether you paint over a stone fireplace with a watered down primer or paint with a regular latex or oil-based paint, you can tone down the look of dark, multi-colored stone and create a softer, light, bright more modern look for your complete stone fireplace makeover.
Matt Brax Denver, Colorado excellent brick & stone recoloring companies: One of the great things about whitewash is that you can color it just about any color you want; there are all sorts of ways to add color with pigments and it’s fun to experiment. And one last tip: wear gloves! Hydrated lime is very alkaline and it can cause significant irritation to your skin as you are patting, dabbing, and wringing out the whitewash-soaked cloth. Painting brick is just what you’d imagine it to be: you are painting 100% latex paint over top. But the brick doesn’t absorb paint like it does whitewash and brick stain. The paint sits on the surface of the brick and creates a noticeably-painted, thick, flat finish, which causes the brick to lose its natural look and feel. See extra information on Matt Brax Denver, CO.
Paint the stone with a clear-coat masonry sealer to protect the finish. Apply with a large paintbrush for small areas or a paint sprayer for large areas. Paint a thin coat to prevent bubbling as the sealer dries. Let it dry for 24 hours, then apply a second thin coat. Let it dry before walking on or moving outdoor furniture or planters onto the exterior stone. Painting a stone fireplace a solid color like white can change the look of your room in just a few hours. When deciding on a shade of white, consider the look you’re trying to achieve. Think about your wall color and a shade that would complement the room nicely. There are many shades of white, from creamy beige undertones to yellowish undertones. So be sure to hold up paint samples to see which shade looks best with your wall color. You don’t want the shade to look too stark. If white doesn’t work for you, you might decide on a light neutral shade of gray or tan.
Brick staining and brick painting are related because both are ways of freshening up brick and giving it a new look. Beyond that, the two methods work differently and have outcomes that can appeal to different goals. Brick painting covers the entire surface of the brick, including the mortar, with a relatively thick layer of paint. This method gives the brick a uniform, opaque appearance. Though there are no gradations of color, painted brick can emphasize the texture of the brick surface. It also can give the brick a clean, modern feeling.