Painting Interior Bricks
Scrub thoroughly with a TSP Solution and brush with firm, synthetic bristles. Wear eye protection, and protective gloves. Rinse at least twice. TSP is a suds-free cleanser; you may not see residue, but it will interfere with adhesion. Allow the surface to dry thoroughly.
Repair joints with a thin set mortar and a small trowel, called a tuck pointer. Brush wet mortar off bricks with a stiff brush as you go. For a finished edge, smooth joints and corners with a tool called a jointer or with a copper pipe. Allow to dry all the way. Mask adjacent surfaces with painter's tape. Spread drop cloths to keep paint spatter off adjacent surfaces.
Apply a latex primer specially formulated for brick, masonry and stucco using a roller with a 1 inch nap. Let the primer dry and roll on a semi-gloss or gloss latex paint. Tough up corners, cracks, and crevices with a 1 inch brush.
