Are Brick Slips Paintable?

Maybe you have brick slips installed in your home or you are thinking about having them installed and want to know if they can be painted. After all, maybe you need to give your home a freshen up and still want to keep the unique look that brick slips offer. Furthermore, you might be thinking about installing brick slips and painting them a certain colour. Whatever you are considering, it can help to understand whether it is possible and what is required. 

Is it Possible to Paint Brick Slips?

The simple answer to this is yes. Essentially, brick slips are no different to your standard bricks and we have all seen painted homes and walls through the years. However, the one thing that you will need to consider is the preparation of the surface. It’s important to carry out the right preparation as this will make painting them easier and more successful. 

Therefore, you will need to make sure that your brick slips are free of dust and moisture while you must source a suitable primer that will need to be used before you even consider applying the paint. It’s advised that you choose a breathable primer and paint as this will ensure that you can avoid the problem of damp patches.

Preparation is Vital

In the same way, as you would prepare your standard walls for painting, you need to do the same when it comes to painting brick slips. If you want to achieve a perfect finish that lasts then you need to complete all preparation work correctly because the finish will only be as good as the preparation work. 

Before you begin priming, you will need to make sure that you brush the entire wall as this will ensure that it is clean enough and gives the primer a chance of bonding and sealing the surface of the brick. The primer will also help to bind any loose debris on the surface and ensure that the surface is stable enough for the paint to bond to it. Using a brush, especially one with a long handle, you’ll be able to brush the entire wall with ease. In some places, you might need to give your wall a thorough wash and if so, you will need to wait until it is completely dry before you begin adding your primer. This is important to make sure that you don’t lock in any moisture.

Painting

Brick slips are great because they are so versatile and because they can be painted, you can choose any colour you wish. To achieve the finish you want, you will want to ensure you use more than one coat. Brick slips are a lot more porous than your standard walls as they have a rough and texture finish. This can mean that one coat often isn’t enough to get a full cover and so, you will need several coats to get the finish you want. As a minimum, you will need around 2 to 3 coats of paint and each coat will need to be fully dry before carrying on with the next coat.

It is also worth remembering that some colours will cover better than others but make sure that you always carry out a test on a small part of the wall first before going ahead.

When choosing your brick slip, if you have every intention of painting them as soon as they are installed, then you should consider the brick slips that you choose. Obviously, they come with different textures and styles, so consider this because this will still be noticeable, even after painting. 

What makes brick slips so unique is their versatility. Leave them as they are or paint them, the choice is entirely yours.