Brick has a unique look that goes well with parts of your home’s exterior, a fireplace surround, or even an old patio wall. But over time, that look can start to feel a little worn out or just not quite your style anymore.
Maybe the color doesn’t match the rest of your space, or it just feels a bit too dated. Whatever the reason, staining lets you update the color while still keeping that natural look and feel.
That’s without covering your brick with a thick coat of paint and hiding what makes it beautiful. Plus, it holds up better over time since the stain soaks into the surface instead of sitting on top and peeling later. Below is a DIY guide on how to stain brick for a fresh look.
Why Stain Brick Instead of Painting It
You’ve probably seen painted brick that starts to peel, crack, or just lose its visual appeal after a while. That alone might raise the question of whether painting is really the right call.
There’s also the matter of how much of the brick’s texture you want to keep, or how you want the finish to look once the job is done.
Paint Covers While Stain Sinks In
Paint coats the surface of your brick like a shell and hides the original color and texture and creates a solid layer that sits on top. That can look clean and even, at first, but over time, the paint can trap moisture inside the brick.
Once that happens, it starts to bubble, peel, or flake. Any weather changes or temperature shifts only make it worse, and eventually, you may need to strip it and start all over again.
Stain works in a completely different way as it soaks into the brick instead of covering it. This means the brick can still breathe, expand, and contract without being trapped under a layer of paint.
Stained Brick Looks More Natural Over Time
Paint changes the look of your brick completely by covering every inch in the same tone. The finish often looks heavier, and once it starts to age, it can make the whole surface appear worn out.
Any chips or cracks show up right away, and touch-ups rarely match the original coat. Stain tends to blend with the existing brick, not fight against it.
It creates a soft shift in color that still lets the natural details shine through. As the brick ages, the stain wears in a way that can actually look better over time, instead of patchy or faded spots.
Less Maintenance and Fewer Surprises
Once paint starts to peel or crack, there’s no real quick fix. It usually means sanding, scraping, and repainting the whole area.
That kind of upkeep can turn into a repeat project every few years. Even with the right prep, paint doesn’t always hold up as well on brick as it does on smoother surfaces like drywall or wood.
Stain doesn’t flake or peel, which means you don’t have to keep redoing it every few years. A single coat, applied the right way, can hold up for a long time with easy cleaning.
Things You’ll Need Before You Get Started
Before you mix anything, brush anything, or even open a can of stain, it’s a good idea to have everything laid out and ready. Getting caught mid-project without the right tool is the kind of headache that can turn a simple afternoon job into a weekend mess.
Having your materials lined up keeps things smooth and lets you focus on doing the job right the first time.
Basic Tools and Supplies
- Brick Stain – Pick a high-quality stain made specifically for masonry or brick. Water-based stains are often easier to work with and clean up.
- Brushes or Rollers – A stiff-bristle brush works well for pushing stain into textured surfaces. A roller can work for larger, flatter areas, but be prepared to go over spots by hand.
- Sprayer (Optional) – For big areas, a pump sprayer can speed things up. Just make sure it’s rated for stain and not paint.
Prep and Protection Gear
- Wire Brush – Useful for removing loose dirt, flaking material, or any leftover mortar or paint.
- Mild Detergent and Water – A simple cleaning solution works well to prep the surface without damaging it.
- Drop Cloths or Plastic Sheeting – To protect nearby areas from splashes or spills.
- Painter’s Tape – Helps with clean edges around windows, trim, or any areas you don’t want to stain.
- Buckets and Rags – For mixing, cleaning, and handling drips along the way.
Personal Safety Gear
- Gloves – Keeps stain and cleaning chemicals off your hands.
- Safety Glasses – Especially helpful if you’re using a sprayer or working above eye level.
- Mask or Respirator – A simple dust mask can help when cleaning, but use a proper respirator if your stain gives off strong fumes.
Prep Your Brick
It’s easy to rush into applying stain when you’re excited about the change, but rushing here usually leads to patchy color or a finish that doesn’t last. Doing it right takes just some attention to detail and a little patience.
Brick isn’t like a smooth wall, it holds onto dirt, absorbs moisture, and sometimes hides damage that you don’t catch until it’s too late.
Start With a Clean Surface
Begin by brushing off any loose debris like dust, cobwebs, or old mortar flakes. A wire brush works well, especially for older brick that’s seen a few seasons; just don’t press too hard as you may end up wearing it down.
Next, wash the brick with a mix of mild detergent and water. You can use a sponge or a stiff brush. For exterior walls, a garden hose is usually strong enough for rinsing.
Skip the pressure washer unless you’ve used one before because too much force can damage the brick or push water deep into the pores.
Check for Old Paint or Sealant
If your brick has been painted or sealed before, you’ll need to deal with that before staining. Stain won’t soak into sealed or painted surfaces and it will just sit there and eventually peel or flake off.
Scrape off any loose paint, then sand or chemically strip the rest if needed. This part can take a bit of time, but it’s worth it.
Not sure if your brick is sealed? Splash a little water on it. If the water beads up and doesn’t soak in, there’s likely a sealant in place that needs to come off before you go any further.
Make Sure the Brick is Completely Dry
After cleaning, give the brick time to fully dry out. Even a little leftover moisture can mess with how the stain soaks in, leading to uneven results.
Depending on the weather, you might need to wait a full day or more. For indoor projects, turn on fans or crack windows to speed things up.
Also, take a few minutes to scan the surface for cracks or damage. Fixing these now will help avoid problems later. Loose mortar can be patched up with a masonry repair compound. Let it cure fully before moving forward.
Testing the Stain Before Start
Staining brick isn’t the kind of job where you want to guess how it’ll turn out. Once the stain soaks in, it becomes part of the brick, not something you can easily wipe off or redo.
This is why testing matters. It gives you a chance to see exactly how the color looks in real life, not just on the label or the sample photo.
Pick a Low-Profile Spot to Test
Choose a small section of brick that isn’t front and center. A corner near the ground, behind a bush, or somewhere less visible works well.
Make sure the area you test is prepped the same way as the rest of the surface. That way, the result you get from the test patch will actually reflect how it’ll look on the rest of the wall.
Apply the stain with the same method you plan to use for the full job like brushing or spraying. This helps you get a feel for how the stain goes on and how much coverage it gives.
Give It Time to Dry and Check It in Different Light
The color of the stain might shift slightly as it dries, so don’t make your decision right away. Let it dry fully, usually a few hours, or overnight to be safe, before you judge the final tone.
Look at it in the morning, in the evening, and under artificial light if it’s indoors. You’ll probably notice small changes that could help you decide if it’s the right fit or if you want to tweak it.
If the stain looks too dark, too light, or not quite right, try another test patch using a different ratio if it’s a mixable stain, or try a new color altogether.
How to Apply Brick Stain
Seeing that color go onto the brick can be incredibly satisfying, until it drips all over your shoes, the sidewalk, and the neighbor’s dog. Okay, maybe not the dog, but you get the idea.
Staining bricks takes a little planning and patience. Brick is porous, so it soaks up color quickly, but it also absorbs unevenly if you’re rushing or working out of order.
The Right Tools and a Plan
Figure out where you want to begin and which direction makes sense.
- For large walls, start at the top and work your way down to help catch drips before they dry into darker streaks.
- For smaller areas, work in sections so the stain doesn’t start drying before you can blend it out.
If you’re brushing the stain on, use a stiff-bristle brush that can push it into the tiny grooves and rough surfaces. For flatter or more even surfaces, a roller can help speed things up, but you’ll probably still need a brush for the joints and textured parts.
Using a pump sprayer? Practice on a scrap surface or test area to get the feel for how it sprays, then spray in even, sweeping motions.
Work Slowly and Watch Your Coverage
Stain doesn’t go on like paint, but absorbs fast, which means there’s not much time to go back and fix mistakes. Apply a thin coat, make sure it’s even, and step back often to check your progress.
Try not to overload the brush or roller as you’ll end up with runs that are hard to blend later. Don’t forget the mortar lines since they soak up stain differently than the brick itself.
Clean Up as You Go
Keep a damp rag or sponge nearby to wipe away any stain that splashes onto a surface you didn’t mean to hit like trim, windows or concrete before it sets in. It’s a lot easier to handle in the moment than it is after it dries.
Also, give yourself breaks to step back and look at the whole area. It’s easy to get caught up in a rhythm and miss uneven spots until it’s too late.
Why Do Bricks Turn White? Causes And Solutions
Seeing your space change with just a bit of effort is a win that makes a big difference. You’ve taken something solid, something permanent like brick, and made it reflect your style and energy.
One thing you might run into, especially on exterior walls or older brick,is that sudden white, powdery film that starts to show up after everything looked perfect. You’ve already taken the time to stain the brick the right way. Now’s a good time to stay ahead of anything that might mess with that fresh, clean finish. A little knowledge about what causes that white film, how to spot early signs of it, and how to clean it gives you a better shot at keeping everything looking nice.