How to Whitewash Brick
I have been wanting to whitewash brick for a really long time. Problem is….I don’t have any brick at my house. But what I do have is an amazing client that said, “Can you whitewash my brick fireplace?” Ummmmm let me think about it….YEAH!
UPDATE-I did a quick video in THIS POST. Click to watch and see just how to whitewash your fireplace.
I apologize for not having a better before photo. I have this problem lately with getting ahead of myself and starting a project before I take a photo so forgive me for only having a partial before photo for you. But it’s the after we all really care about anyway, right?
Whitewashing Brick~What you’ll need.
1. Brick
2. Large Paintbrush
3. Rag (in case of drips)
4. Painters tape
5. Paint
Begin by thinning your paint. I thinned mine by half (half water/half paint). I decided to use chalk type paint. I like using this type of paint because of the chalky finish it leaves on the brick. It is flat and looks more authentic to me than a latex paint would.
Once you have your paint thinned, apply the paint to your brick slowly, it is always easier to add more paint than it is to take it off. Brick is porous and will soak up the paint quickly so have a wet cloth handy to dab it off if you don’t like it.
For this application we decide to whitewash the grout as well because the color was fairly different. However you could just paint the actual brick if you like a strong contrast.
I guess I’d refer to the process as “dusting” the brick with paint. I didn’t completely cover it (you certainly could if you want) but rather dusted over the brick with paint to give it a chalky look. I recommend working in small areas, and stepping back frequently, to make sure your paint is evenly applied. Once you’ve achieved the desired look move on to the next area and continue.
Here is a comparison shot of the brick before and after. Isn’t it wonderful!!!!
We decided to leave the woodwork alone as it is beautiful and really pops next to the brick now.
And here it is all finished. Whitewashing brick is a wonderful way to update your fireplace, affordably with minimal mess.
If you have a brick fireplace and are local to the Nashville TN area you can contact me at farmfreshvintagefinds@gmail.com to schedule a consultation.
So glad I just stumbled upon this. I am about to embark on this. I emailed you a few pics. Would love your input before I plunge in.. 🙂
Hi Michelle,
Got your email and replied. Your home is beautiful! Thanks for being here!!!!
Blessings,
Beth
Do you know if whitewashing the brick on the outside of a house would be possible??
It’s absolutely possible!!! I see it done on houses all the time.
🙂 Beth
How do I find someone to white wash the brick on my house?
Hi Nonnie,
I’m not sure. I would contact a local painter.
Thanks,
Beth
Would this work on a rock fireplace? Love it!!!
Pat-Absolutely! Both ar porous surfaces and look great transformed with paint.
Good luck!
Beth
After researching different whitewash styles I think your method suits my goal the most. My question is what kind of paintbrush did you use and did you use more of a blotting method? I am planing to whitewash a large brown brick fireplace. Thanks!
Hi Jo-I used a large brush and basically for lack of a better word smooshed it onto the surface. It’s pretty easy to do. I would suggest starting on the side of the hearth near the bottom or another inconspicuous area to get a little practice first. It’s like riding a bike after you get started. You’ll do great!
:0) Beth
Hi Beth! Yes I do have some of the paper left, and I did try it–using a small bottle of acrylic craft paint. I thinned it, sponged it on lightly, and it looks great BUT–the paint wipes off the wallpaper easily. I don’t know if it would smear when I tried to put some kind of sealer (polyurethane?) over it. Or if I should use a wall paint for the whitewashing step? I can do more experimenting–just thought you might have some suggestions! I don’t really know what I’m doing, ha!! I thought I would try this before I tackle my huge fireplace! Anyway, any thoughts will be appreciated-thank you.
Definitely try chalk paint on it. Once it cures it’s not coming off. You can purchase a sample here on my site.
🙂
Can you do it to the exterior of the house and would you need to use a sealer?
I’ve painted exterior brick on my house and didn’t use sealer and it’s held up fine. I painted it roughly 4 years ago. 🙂
This may be a crazy question—could you whitewash over wallpaper? I put some up last fall, expecting to love it, but it just looks ‘off’ somehow.Makes the room a little too dark If I did whitewash it—what kind of paint? It would need to be sealed well, so the wall could be washed. So, what do you think??? Thanks!!
Hmmmm Pat I’ve never done that. Is there a little section that you could test it out on? Have any paper left over that you could test it out on?
Hi Beth – I’ve been thinking about whitewashing a brick floor in our home. We are the second owners and the brick (presume installed in the late 60’s) looks like there might have been a clear coat polyurethane applied at one time. Does the polyurethane need to be removed / stripped? I plan to also repair a few areas where the concrete grout has broken / chipped and then whitewash. Any advice would be great; I’m a rookie. Thank you! Mike
Hey Mike-If you use chalk paint I think it will adhere just fine. I would try using it in a small area and see if it works and then go from there. If it doesn’t adhere well then I recommend stripping the poly off. Good Luck!
Beth
Hi Beth,
Thank you for this blog post, I’ve been researching to find the best way to white wash our brick, and I’ll be so doing it using your method! One question — is that paint Annie Sloan’s Paris Gray? ? The link in this post led me to another post of yours where you used Paris Gray for a piece of furniture, which makes me wonder (because this white wash doesn’t look anything like gray). If not, could you tell me which color did you use for this white-washing project? Thanks!
Hi Eri-I use Debi’s Design Diary DIY Paint. Here’s the link-http://bit.ly/1f7qaNb for the color “Vintage Linen” that I used. Thanks for asking! Sorry the link was incorrect. 🙂
Blessings,
Beth
Thanks Beth!
You’re welcome!
So would the chalk paint be ok for exterior brick? What brand of paint? Color is vintage linen?
Thanks !
Hi Liz,
Yes Chalk type paints are ok for exterior brick. Here’s a link to order the brand I sell, http://farmfreshvintagefinds.myshopify.com/products/vintage-linen
Let me know if you have any other questions.
🙂 Beth
What did you as a topcoat? I am getting ready to do a brick fireplace makeover.
Thanks for your input.
Hi Margaret-I did not apply a topcoat over the brick.
Have fun with your project!!!
🙂 Beth
Did you wash down the fireplace brick before painting the fireplace? You said nothing about cleaing it. Brick tends to collect dust, webs etc. If so what did you use? Thank you Sally
Hi Sally,
This particular client has a super clean house so I didn’t have to clean it. However if it had needed cleaning I would have dusted it off with a dry rag.
🙂 Beth
I would love to white wash my fireplace, but I use it all the time in the fall and winter. Will the smoke stain the white wash? It is a wood burning fireplace.
Cellissa-My clients use theirs also. Once the paint cures, it can be wiped clean. Painting it a lighter color will show dirt/stain differently however. On the other hand if you have a lot of smoke stain, there might be a problem with your fireplace that needs to be addressed. Maybe have your chimney cleaned?
Good luck with your project 🙂
Blessings,
Beth
Could you do this to white brick and add color??
Hi Kimberly,
I would think so. If I were you I would try it in a corner and see if I liked it first.
Thanks,
Beth
Beth,
I love this look! I bought Annie Sloan’s Old White to use on my fireplace. My fireplace seems to be about the same size as the one pictured. Did you use more than one coat? Will I quart be enough if thinned equally?
Thank you,
Renea
Hi Renea,
Thank you!!!! One quart should be plenty. I just used one quart as I wanted a washed look and not a solid coat. Good luck!
Beth
I have a 1950’s Bedford stone gas fireplace with hints of pink in the stone. Can I whitewash it the same as brick?
Hi Jana,
I don’t see why not. Is there a spot that you could test it out on just to double check?
🙂 Beth
I did this on my brick fireplace (same original color as here). I used a roller. works great if you don’t want total coverage. Took about 10 minutes .
Hi Jackie,
That’s awesome!!!!
🙂 Beth
Jackie, Please post a picture of your end result!
Could I use this method on the brick on the outside of my house? How will the sun and rain affect it?
Hi Gwen,
Once the paint is cured it should be find. I would try it in an inconspicuous area first and see how it holds up for a couple weeks before doing the entire thing.
Hope this helps!
Beth
With this process and finish, can this be cleaned/washed over, if the white washed brick gets dirty?
Hi Suzy,
Yes, once the paint is cured (7-14 days) it can be cleaned.
Thanks,
Beth
I’m wondering if you’ve tried to whitewash grout. I just had my kitchen backsplash redone in subway tile and I’m sad with my dark grout choice. I’d love to lighten it up. I’m thinking a 50/50 paint water mix with chalk paint would suck into to unsealed grout and wipe right off the white subway tile. Thoughts?
Hi Ann,
I think that would work just fine. I’d try it in a small inconspicuous area and see how you like it before I did the entire surface.
Thanks,
Beth
hi! So I tried to white wash my brick and was heavy handed on the paint. Do you think that I can fix it with some real strong elbow grease and a wet rag. I painted it 24 hours ago with Annie Sloan
Wouldn’t hurt to try. I’d use a wet rag or sponge and try to remove it if you’re not happy with it.
Hope this helps!
Beth
My house took a sander and sanded some of the paint off. It looked great!
Sorry, my husband
Yay!!!!
The Brick on my fireplace is very ruff will chalk paint still work and look nice. All the ones I have seen are smooth brick
Hi Penny,
I think it actually looks better on the rough brick. Try it on a corner or small area and see if you like it first.
🙂 Beth
Well, white washing brick surely seems the “thing”. My brick is like yours in color and I really wanted to leave some bricks with out paint. More of an old look rather that completely covered. I found a picture that I really liked of how I wanted it to look.Have you seen any done in this way??
Hi Bonnie,
Yes, I have and i think it’s a great look! With the DIY paint that I use you could also apply it very think and once dry it would look as though the brick had layers of paint gathered over the years, almost a stucco look.
Good luck with your project!
Beth
Great looking fireplace! Can you tell me what you used to seal it with? We sit on ours a lot and think it won’t wear well without a sealer.
Hi Diane,
I don’t seal them. The paint I use has clay in it which is much like the bricks. It soaks right in and doesn’t require a sealer once it’s cured in 5-7 days.
Thanks for reading!
Beth
Is brick coming back in, we’re building and i found a picture of a backslash i loved, i cant find a manufacturer so im thinking it was whitewashed but looks different from yours,
Hi Lori,
Personally I think brick, when done correctly, is timeless. The picture you saw may be subway tile though??? Good luck with your build, that’s exciting.
🙂 Beth
I just white washed my fireplace today! Looks amazing!! Thanks for the idea and helpful tips!!
You are very welcome Lyn!!! Thank you for reading!
Hi! I can’t decide between white wash and full paint. If I white wash and don’t like it, would I be able to paint latex over the chalk paint? If not, what type of paint would be best to paint over the chalk paint? Thanks!
Hi Kim,
You can paint anything over chalk paint. I would recommend you starting with the whitewashed look and if you don’t like it then just use full strength chalk paint over it. I hope this helps.
Thanks for reading!
Beth
Hello Beth, great looking fireplace. Quick question, I might have missed it, but what kind of paint did you use to whitewash the brick?
Thank you,
Amer
Hi Amer,
I use Debi’s Design Diary DIY Paint. You can order it here-https://farmfreshvintagefinds.myshopify.com/collections/diy-paint
Thanks!
Did it, and was easy and fabulous!,,
That’s great!
Can you White wash exterior Brick?
Absolutely!
Do you have any tips for when the bricks bleed through? My boyfriend used latex to whitewash and only a few bricks on the bottom have bled through and look a bit orange in spots.
Hi Kristi,
If you are getting bleed though it is probably because there was something on the brick that is coming through the paint. Grease or grime maybe soot. Make sure and clean the bricks throughly before painting.
Hope this helps!
Beth
Hi Beth – thank you for the whitewashing tip. I’m going to do it. I just painted my old mantle a white. So whitewashing the brick is perfect because it won’t be white overkill. But one question: The brick hearth extends to inside the fireplace. Where do I stop? Do I stop at the last brick that doesn’t go inside the fireplace? Thank you!
Amy
Hi Amy,
You’re welcome! Without seeing your fireplace it’s hard to know but I would say to stop on that last brick. Painting inside the fireplace probably wouldn’t hold up against the heat in the long term so the outside should be fine.
Can you white wash a back splash, that is in the kitchen, with chalk paint?
Absolutely! We’ve actually done that several times now for clients. I’ll try to do a blog post about it soon.
Thank you for reading,
Beth
Does the chalk paint tend to rub off at all after it’s cured? Wondering how it feels when you touch or sit on the hearth. And does it come off onto your clothes if you brush by it? Does it feel like dusty chalk?
Hi Rhonda,
Chalk paint does not rub off once cured. In fact on a hearth it feels the same as the brick or stone. It won’t come off on your clothes either. You could always topcoat it with a water-based topcoat if you like a smoother finish but I haven’t found that this is necessary.
Thank you for reading,
Beth
How much DIY Vintage Linen chalk paint should I order to do a fireplace/hearth similar to the size that you painted? It’s not sold near me so I’ll have to order online. 8 oz, 16 oz, 32oz, more? I know to mix 50/50 with water. Help?
Susan
Hello Susan, I would use one quart because you are going to water it down quite a bit. I am now using Annie Sloan for bricks/stone and sell it in my shop if you’d like to order online. https://farmfreshvintagefinds.myshopify.com/products/old-white
Thank you,
Beth