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12 January 2025
Painting Brick Exterior Walls in Sydney
Painting an exterior brick wall in Sydney can look almost as easy as a weekend DIY project, but a job that stands the test of time needs a bit more than just slapping paint on. The thing is, brick behaves unlike any other surface: it soaks up water, it expands and contracts, & then there are those old homes around the city that have got porous clay or sandstock bricks that are gonna need a bit more TLC. But when its done right, a fresh coat of paint can do nothing short of transform the whole look of the place.
At Painters Link, we help Sydney homeowners with painting their exterior brick walls using proper painting systems that give the job a serious durability edge & protects the house from damage caused by moisture, mould & the sun. And whether it's a beautiful old Federation home in Ashfield or a brand new double-storey house in Schofields, a brand new paint job can make a huge difference in the finished result.
Below is everything you need to know before painting your brickwork, plus our full painting process, some super helpful tips, colour ideas, and some real-world examples from areas all around Sydney.
Why Should You Paint Your Sydney Brick Exterior Walls?
Painting brick gives it a whole new lease of life because brick might be pretty durable, but it's still not immune to getting a bit faded, stained or just plain dated. With a fresh coat of paint on the bricks:
- They get a neat, modern look
- Better protection from the elements & all that nasty UV damage
- Cleaning & maintenance is a whole heap easier
- Its street appeal gets a serious boost
- You get to give it a whole new colour scheme that fits in with todays style
We've worked on a few older homes in the Parramatta & Blacktown areas where the brickwork was still in great nick but the colour had the place looking about 40 years older than it was. Once we'd finished painting, they literally looked brand new again.
Types of Brick and How Paint Behaves on Each
Not all brick surfaces absorb paint the same way. Here's a helpful breakdown:
Clay Brick
The most common brick in Sydney suburbs like Blacktown, Penrith, and Wetherill Park.
Clay bricks hold paint well once washed and primed properly.
Sandstock Brick
Found in many heritage-style homes around Newtown and Strathfield.
They're more porous and textured, so they often need two coats of sealer to stop paint soaking in unevenly.
Cement or Lime Brick
These bricks absorb moisture more easily and must be coated using breathable paint systems such as Dulux Acratex or Wattyl Solagard masonry coatings.
Rendered Brick
If your brick is already rendered, cracks and hairlines may appear over time.
These need patching before painting to prevent water ingress.
Moisture, Efflorescence, and Why Prepping Brick Is So Important
Brick absorbs water. If you paint over a damp wall, you’ll see bubbling, peeling, or powdery spots within months.
Signs the Brick Is Holding Moisture
- White, chalky powder on the surface (efflorescence)
- Dark damp patches
- Soft or crumbling mortar
- Musty smell around lower brick areas
- Bubbles appearing on older paint
In Sydney's coastal suburbs like Coogee or Cronulla, saltwater makes this worse. Even in inland areas like Seven Hills or Castle Hill, garden beds sitting too high can push moisture into the brickwork.
How We Check for Moisture Before Painting
- Moisture meters
- Thermal imaging cameras
- Tapping hollow sections
- Checking gutters, downpipes, and drainage
- Scrubbing efflorescence before repainting
If moisture isn't fixed first, any new paint job will fail. That's why prep is the most important step.
Best Paint Systems for Exterior Brick
We use high-performance exterior coatings that are made to stick to masonry and survive harsh Australian sun. Here are the most reliable products for brick painting:
Primers and Sealers for Exterior Brick
- Dulux 1Step Acrylic Primer Sealer Undercoat
- Zinsser Bulls Eye 123
- Taubmans 3-in-1
- Wattyl Prep Coat
- Dulux Acrashield Sealer
These products offer weather resistance, UV protection, and excellent adhesion on porous brick.
Topcoat Systems
- Dulux Weathershield
- Taubmans All Weather
- Wattyl Solagard
- Dulux Acratex High Build Membrane
Popular Colour Ideas for Painted Brick in Sydney
Choosing the right colour can completely change the character of your home. Here are favourites homeowners love:
- Monument : modern charcoal
- Surfmist : clean coastal white
- Shale Grey : soft contemporary neutral
- Natural White : bright and airy
- Basalt : strong mid-grey
- Tranquil Retreat : warm, balanced grey
- Snowy Mountains : crisp white
In newer communities like Box Hill and Marsden Park, greys and charcoals are extremely popular.
In older suburbs like Strathfield or Haberfield, homeowners lean toward soft whites to brighten traditional facades.
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Painting Brick
- Painting over mould or efflorescence
- Not cleaning the surface properly
- Using interior paint outdoors
- Skipping primer
- Painting too soon after rain
- Choosing glossy paint (matte looks best on brick)
- Painting over loose mortar
- Forgetting to seal high-porosity areas
Our Brick Painting Process
DIY vs Professional Painting, What You Can Do and What We Should Do
DIY Is Suitable For:
- Small garden brick walls
- Brick that's already sealed
- Non-porous brick
- Small touch-ups
Painting brick is time-consuming and requires specialised products, so most homeowners prefer calling professional painters in Sydney to ensure a smooth, consistent finish.
Professional Painters Are Better For:
- Two-storey homes exterior painting
- Very porous brick
- Old brick with moisture damage
- When scaffold or safety gear is required for painting
- When using high-build membrane coatings
- Houses in coastal areas painting
FAQs about Painting Bricks
Case study for painting exterior brick
Case Study 1 - Modernising a 1970s Red-Brick Home in Baulkham Hills
Project Location: Baulkham Hills, NSW
Brick Type: those old classic 1970s clay bricks that are so common in the area
Paint System Used: we went with Dulux's 1Step Primer followed by a coat of Weathershield
Colour: we chose Surfmist for the walls and Monument for the trims - a nice crisp contrast
A homeowner in Baulkham Hills had a bit of a problem - their 1970s red brick house was starting to look a bit dated. The brick itself was solid, but it was remarkably dry and was soaking up the paint in patches like a sponge. On top of that the garden bed was rubbing right up against the wall, causing all sorts of moisture issues and the obligatory efflorescence on the lower section.
What We Found
- the brick was taking on a lot of dust and felt really porous
- the lower section was looking pretty grim with the efflorescence
- a few small cracks here and there in the mortar
- the old paint around the windows was coming away due to UV exposure, which is a real pain
What We Did
- first thing we did was give the whole exterior a good high-pressure clean
- we also neutralised the efflorescence and repaired the mortar where needed
- then we slapped on two coats of Dulux 1Step Acrylic Primer to try and cut down on the porosity
- after that it was time for two coats of Surfmist Weathershield to give it that nice, modern look
- and finally gave the trims and gutters a coat of Monument to give it a bit of contrast
The Result
the old house has transformed in just a week - it's now got a bright, modern, coastal vibe going on. The neighbours were so impressed that they walked up and asked if we'd just rebuilt the place or something. The owner said the new paint job made the place feel "ten years younger" and really boosted the street appeal.
Case Study 2- Fixing the Leaks - a Bondi Duplex
Project Location: Bondi, NSW
Brick Type: that old sandstock stuff that's so prone to problems
Paint System Used: we used a Dulux Acratex Sealer and a Wattyl Solagard
Colour: we went with Shale Grey
We got a call from a couple in Bondi who were having problems with their brick façade - every year it was peeling and blistering like crazy. Being right near the coast with all that salt air and humidity just made things worse - the old sandstock brick was like a sponge, soaking up all the moisture it could get. And to make matters worse, they'd had the place done up before but it had still failed because the brick hadn't been sealed properly.
What We Found
- the old brick was active - there was white powder all over the place
- the paint was coming away because of all the trapped moisture
- the sandstock brick was still taking on water from the sea breeze like nobody's business
- there were a few hairline cracks around the window lintels too
What We Did
- first off we gave the whole façade a good pressure wash using a bit of mould and salt remover to get rid of all the grime
- we also did some crack repairs and repointed the weak mortar to make sure everything was secure
- then we applied a Dulux Acratex High-Build Sealer to give the brick a bit of protection against all that moisture
- after that it was a two-coat job with some Shale Grey Solagard
- and finally sealed up all the trims and windows to prevent any future water damage
The Result
the facade is now looking as good as new - it's gone from that flaky, dull, water-damaged look to something smooth and modern. The new coating has turned that brick into a protective shell, all but impervious to the elements. The owners reckon it's now finally holding up against the Bondi weather and that the new colour has given the place a real premium look.
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Thinking About Painting Your Brick Exterior?
If you want a reliable and long-lasting result, Painters Link offers professional painting services across the entire Sydney region. We use high-grade materials, proper prep methods, and proven masonry systems to ensure your brickwork stays protected and looks amazing for years.
