LESLIE: Robert in Illinois is on the line and looking to paint a brick home. Tell us what’s going on and why you want to do that.
ROBERT: Just curious about it. I didn’t know if I was going to pull the trigger on something like that or not, because I’m very ignorant about it.
TOM: Well, it’s a big decision, Robert, because you know what comes after paint?
LESLIE: And it’s one you can never go back to.
ROBERT: Yeah, it is.
TOM: Repaint.
ROBERT: Repaint, yes. Yes.
TOM: So …
ROBERT: And again, I was looking for some more advice. There’s a coating outfit here where I’m at; I’m in East Central Illinois. The company is called Rhino Coat or something. I think it’s a ceramic-based paint.
TOM: Yeah, don’t do it.
ROBERT: OK.
TOM: Don’t do it.
LESLIE: But why do you want to paint the brick? Was it previously painted and it has a shadowing effect or you just don’t like …?
ROBERT: No, no. No. No. No, it’s just – we bought the home. It’s very well-built and we’re – tastes are changing and we’re considering moving or we’re going to stay. And I think we were just considering the idea of painting. And I’ve seen other places that were painted and they turned out very nice, you know?
TOM: Right.
ROBERT: I guess I’m not much – I don’t mind working.
TOM: Well but – yeah but it’s a big commitment and you will have to repaint it every seven years. So I would tell you that there’s really no good reason to paint brick.
ROBERT: Yeah. OK.
TOM: If you don’t like the look, you can paint all the trim. You can use beautiful shutters, you can use planters.
LESLIE: Add shutters, planter boxes.
TOM: Right.
ROBERT: Right.
TOM: Look for other ways to decorate around it.
LESLIE: I personally would not paint brick, especially if you’re considering selling at some point, because a brick home is a standout feature to a buyer. People are looking for mason homes, masonry products that are going to stand up and really look fantastic. And a brick home is a big selling point.
ROBERT: Right.
LESLIE: And once you put paint on a brick home, it never comes off; you’re going to have to sandblast it and even then, it’s going to get a shadowing.
TOM: And then you damage the brick.
LESLIE: And it’s damage. And say you were to paint it yourself, you’re going to take a gallon of paint, put it on that brick and it’s going to get sucked into the brick.
ROBERT: Sure.
LESLIE: And then you’re going to put another gallon and another and another.
ROBERT: Right. Right.
LESLIE: I wouldn’t do it.
ROBERT: Nope. I appreciate it. I didn’t know – I was going to pull the trigger on it like tomorrow. I was just kicking around the idea and I wanted – I just stumbled on your show, I think it was last week or so, and this is an idea that just floated in the back of my mind but it was never going to be in the forefront. But I was just – I figured as much. Yours is the same advice I’m getting – I’ve gotten from others, so …
TOM: Alright. Well, we’re happy to keep it in the back of your mind. Far back.
ROBERT: Yeah, you – no, no, no, no. It’ll stay there.
TOM: Alright, Robert. Well, good luck with that project and remember, there’s a lot of other ways to change the look of the outside of the house besides painting that brick.
Leave a Reply