- Cleaning and painting brick work

Dear Shell,

We have re-sided and re-shingled our home and now the color of the brick planter and the brick fireplace chimney don't go with the 'new look'. Can we paint the bricks? Do they have to be cleaned first? What is the procedure and what are the products we should use if this is a feasible project?

Thanks, Helene

Dear Helene,

Wash the brick chimney and planter with my Shell Busey's Home Cleaning Formula and rinse well. When surface is still damp apply 1 st coat of acrylic latex masonry paint i.e. Cloverdale Paint or Behr Paint (your colour choice). Start by brushing the joints with a polyester or nylon brush then roll the face of the brick with 30mm lambs wool roller. Keep the brick surface damp as you work ahead during the first coat. 2 nd coat just apply in the same manner damp surface is not required. Don't do this project in the sunshine.

It's just that easy.

Article courtesy of: Shell Busey