Yes, brick can be painted. The catch is that it is, for most homes, a one-way choice: paint soaks into the porous surface and the mortar joints, so getting back to bare brick later is a big job. That is not a reason to avoid it.
It is a reason to choose carefully and use a licensed painter who knows masonry.
The single most important rule is paint type. Brick moves moisture from inside the wall out through its face, and the coating has to let that moisture pass. Water-based acrylic paints made for masonry stay vapour-permeable; oil-based or film-forming coatings trap moisture and can make the brick face break apart. Dulux AustraliaView source Taubmans (PPG)View source
Is painting brick permanent?
Painted brick is, for most homes, a one-way choice. Paint soaks into the porous surface and fills the mortar joints, so removing it later means chemical strippers, abrasive tools, or both; either method risks damaging the brick face and the mortar. Most homeowners just keep the painted finish and maintain it on a regular repaint cycle.
Permanent does not mean a mistake. Good painted brick resists UV, dirt, and moisture while the paint is sound, and homes near the coast or in areas with heavy air pollution often benefit most from the added barrier.
Interior brick is a different call. A feature wall or fireplace surround has no weather to deal with. The moisture concern is much lower, and paint can come off interior brick more easily than exterior. Still a big job, but a more practical one to undo.
What prep does painted brick need?
Most paint failures on brick start with poor prep. Without a clean, sound surface, the paint has nothing to grip, and it peels within a few years instead of lasting.
For existing brick, the sequence is: pressure-wash to remove dirt and loose material; allow it to dry completely; repair any crumbling or missing mortar; caulk gaps around window frames or where brick meets another material; apply masonry primer; then two coats of paint. Dulux AustraliaView source If the surface has white salt deposits (called efflorescence), those come from moisture moving through the porous brick and carrying salts to the face. Clean them off with a wire brush or pressure wash and prime with a breathable prep coat before any top coat, or the paint won't bond properly. Taubmans (PPG)View source
New brick has one more rule. It needs at least 28 days to cure before paint goes on. Painting too early traps alkaline compounds in the wall and causes the film to fail. Dulux AustraliaView source Taubmans (PPG)View source
Porous or rough brick needs a masonry primer before the top coat to seal the surface so paint goes on evenly. Without it, the paint soaks in unevenly, uses more product, and can leave a patchy result. Dulux AustraliaView source
Your painter will check the surface and confirm what prep is needed before they quote. On old or worn brickwork, prep can account for a large share of the job time.
What paint should a painter use on brick?
The key for exterior brick is a water-based acrylic paint that lets moisture through. Brick carries moisture from inside the wall to the outside, and the coating needs to allow that. Oil-based paints and thick sealing coats block it and can cause damage. Taubmans (PPG)View source
Exterior acrylic paints made for masonry, such as Dulux Weathershield Matt, are rated for brick, concrete, and render, and include flexibility technology so the film can expand and contract as the surface heats and cools through Australian seasons without cracking. The product guarantee applies when the surface is properly prepared and the product is used as directed. Dulux AustraliaView source
Your painter will use a roller with an 18mm nap to push paint into the rough texture of the brick, plus an angled brush to cut in at edges and joints. Two coats is standard. Dulux AustraliaView source
For interior brick with no weather, a standard interior acrylic works well. The moisture concern still applies on an external wall, but a fully internal feature wall carries much less risk.
Lead paint and older homes
Homes built before around 1970 may have paint with up to 50% lead on exterior walls, eaves, window frames, and fences. DCCEEWView source
Lead paint that is intact and not flaking is not an active hazard. The risk comes when it is disturbed through dry sanding, blasting, or burning, which puts fine lead dust into the air, and lead can harm your health when inhaled as dust, fumes, or mist. Removing lead-based paint is treated as lead work, and the work area should be contained so the contamination is not spread. DCCEEWView source SafeWork NSWView source
For an older property, the Australian government's DCCEEW advises calling in a professional for any large or complex repainting job. DCCEEWView source Higher-risk lead work also carries notification duties for the people doing it, so a licensed painter who knows the precautions is the right call. SafeWork NSWView source
How long does painted brick last, and what wears it out?
On exterior brick, what eventually ends a paint job is the sun. UV radiation breaks down the binder in the paint film, which loosens the pigment and shows up as chalking (a fine powder on the surface) and fading. Dulux Trade AustraliaView source A flexible, UV-rated acrylic made for masonry resists this for years; the product can even carry a residential guarantee against peeling, flaking, and blistering when it is applied correctly. Dulux AustraliaView source
Exposure decides the timeline. Walls fully exposed to high sunlight chalk faster, while surfaces protected from direct sun deteriorate much more slowly, so a hot, coastal, or north-facing wall reaches its next repaint sooner than a shaded one. Dulux Trade AustraliaView source
Prep is the other big factor. Paint over a wet surface, loose mortar, or salt deposits and it fails early. Do the prep right and the film lasts much longer. Interior brick, with no UV or weather, holds paint far longer than an exterior wall.
The first signs that exterior brick is due are chalking, fading, or small peeling patches at the mortar joints. The fix is to wash the surface down to remove the chalk and recoat with a UV-resistant system. Catching it early keeps the next job simple. Dulux Trade AustraliaView source
What does painting exterior brick cost?
Exterior painting costs depend on surface size, prep needed, and access. Use the calculator for a live range.
- Painting brick is permanent. Plan to maintain it long-term.
- Use a water-based acrylic exterior paint. Oil-based coatings trap moisture and can damage the brick.
- New brickwork needs 28 days to cure. Existing brick needs efflorescence treated, mortar repaired, and a masonry primer.
- Pre-1970 homes may have lead paint. A licensed painter handles the precautions: do not dry-sand or blast it yourself.
- Sun is what wears the paint out. Good prep and a UV-rated acrylic keep a repaint years away.
Paint, render, or leave it: which suits your brick wall?
Exterior brick gives you three realistic treatments. Painting is common, but it is a permanent path. Here is how the options differ on the factors that matter most for a long-term decision.
| Factor | Paint itwater-based acrylic | Render itcement or acrylic render | Clean and seal / leave bareclear masonry sealer or nothing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reversibility | Not reversible in practice. Paint soaks into the porous surface and mortar joints; removal requires chemical stripping or abrasion that risks damaging the brick face. | Not reversible. Render bonds directly to the brick substrate; removal is a structural job. | A clear sealer can be re-applied or left to wear off. Leaving bare is always reversible: no coating has been added. |
| Maintenance cycle | Repaint when the film starts to chalk or fade. Sun-exposed walls reach that point sooner than shaded ones. Wash the surface down and recoat with a UV-resistant system. {{cite:dulux-chalking}} | Rendered surfaces need repainting or re-coating on a similar cycle to painted brick. Cracks in render also need re-pointing or patch repairs as they appear. | Clear sealers need re-application as they wear. Bare brick needs only occasional cleaning, with no coating to maintain. |
| Breathability | Water-based acrylic lets moisture through. Oil-based or film-forming coatings trap moisture and can cause the brick face to spall. The paint type is critical. {{cite:dulux-weathershield-matt}} {{cite:taubmans-substrate}} | Breathability depends on the render type. Cement render can restrict vapour movement; acrylic render is more permeable. The renderer specifies the system. | A penetrating masonry sealer generally allows some vapour movement. Bare brick is fully vapour-open, which is the best outcome for moisture management. |
| Prep work | Pressure-wash; allow to dry; repair mortar; treat efflorescence; apply masonry primer; two coats. New brickwork needs 28 days to cure first. {{cite:dulux-brick-how-to}} {{cite:taubmans-substrate}} | Substrate must be clean, sound, and free of loose mortar. Surface profiling may be needed for adhesion. A licensed renderer or plasterer does this work. | Pressure-wash and allow to dry fully. Repair any crumbling mortar before sealing. Much simpler prep than a full paint system. |
| Cost driver | Surface size, prep condition, and access. Heavily weathered or contaminated brickwork adds prep time. Use the calculator above for a live range. | Render is a labour-intensive process, typically more expensive than paint per square metre. Quoted separately by a plasterer or renderer. | Low-cost option if the brick is in sound condition. Mostly labour for cleaning and application. |
| When it suits | Weathered brick needing protection, a colour change, coastal or high-pollution sites, or a home where bare brick is no longer the goal. | Brick in poor cosmetic condition where a smooth, modern face is wanted. Also suits where brick is structurally sound but visually inconsistent. | Sound brick in good cosmetic condition that you want to keep natural. Also suits heritage properties where the face must not be altered. |
Reversibility and breathability claims for painting are grounded in manufacturer guidance (Dulux AU, Taubmans/PPG) and the chalking/UV durability page (Dulux Trade). Render and seal/bare columns are editorial framing of trade-off differences; a plasterer or renderer should be consulted for a render specification.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Brick can be painted when it is properly prepared. You need a water-based acrylic paint, a clean and sound surface (including mortar repair, efflorescence treatment, and a masonry primer), and at least 28 days for new brickwork to cure. Dulux AustraliaView source Taubmans (PPG)View source
It depends on what you want and whether you are happy with a permanent change. A masonry acrylic adds weather protection and can update the look of old brick, with some products carrying a residential guarantee when applied correctly. Dulux AustraliaView source The trade-off is permanence: brick moves moisture out through its porous face, so once a film coating is on, getting back to bare brick is a major job. Taubmans (PPG)View source If your brick is sound and you want protection or a colour change, painting is a good choice. If you may want natural brick later, leave it unpainted.
A water-based exterior acrylic made for masonry. It needs to let moisture through so the wall can breathe, since brick moves moisture out through its porous face. Products made for brick and concrete, such as Dulux Weathershield Matt, are built for Australian conditions and carry a residential guarantee when applied correctly. For interior brick with no weather exposure, a standard interior acrylic works well. Dulux AustraliaView source Taubmans (PPG)View source
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Sources
General information to help you plan and brief a painter, not a substitute for a licensed painter's on-site assessment.
- Dulux AustraliaView source
- Taubmans (PPG)View source
- Dulux AustraliaView source
- Dulux AustraliaView source
- DCCEEWView source
- SafeWork NSWView source
- Dulux Trade AustraliaView source