What Is Brick Stain?
Brick stain is a permanent finish that darkens or colors brick.
It is a mineral product, not paint.
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The stain soaks into the porous brick and can never chip, bubble, or peel.
Staining Brick vs. Painting Brick
Staining brick and painting brick are competitive treatments.
Staining emphasizes the brick’s color, while painting emphasizes texture.
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Pick a section on the side of the fireplace apron, walkway, interior brickwork, or exterior siding.
If the water immediately soaks in, there is no sealant.
If the water beads on the brick, there is likely a clear sealant present.
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Any sealant present will not allow the stain to penetrate the brick.
Remove Sealant From Brick
Remove sealant or moss from exterior brick with a pressure washer.
Wash the brick on a wide spray to avoid damaging the brick.
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Gently scrub difficult areas with a metal brush.
Test for sealant again to ensure it has been removed.
Clean the Brick by Hand
Clean the brickby scrubbing it with the nylon-bristle brush.
Use care when pressure-washing brick or stone surfaces.Diane Macdonald/Getty Images
Clean with a mixture of mild detergent or TSP in a bucket with warm water.
Rinse with clean water.
Let the brick dry for a full day as the surface should be moisture-free before staining.
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Tape up to the edge of the brick.
Wear waterproof gloves, work clothing, and shoes, plus eye protection.
Mix the Stain
Mix the stain pigment with water according to the product instructions.
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Mix thoroughly until all of the pigment is dissolved.
Clumps of undissolved stain pigment will stain the brick and be difficult to lighten.
Cure the Stained Brick
Curing time depends on the temperature, humidity level, and airflow.
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For particularly thick, pooled areas, dab with a clean cotton rag to remove the excess.
When you would like to preserve some of the brick’s natural look and texture, use asemi-transparent stain.
The stain that can be used on brick should be formulated for brick, concrete, or masonry.
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Staining brick works equally well for interior or exterior surfaces.
Like other exterior coatings, brick stain is subject to UV fading.
It will also deteriorate from the exterior surface at the same rate that the brick deteriorates.
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Interior brickstain can last for as long as the brick lasts since the stain becomes part of the brick.
Stain makes brick darker overall.
Stain turns both the light and dark areas darker proportionally.
