Flooring Tile - Resurfacing painted brick wall

Hello. We've got a solid brick interior wall behind our fireplace (think its double or triple brick as house is brick on outside, too). Interior portion is about 8x15 feet, framing a 5x5 fireplace. It's nice old (but soft) brick, but someone painted all but the fireplace part. I would like to restore the original look but read in the forum that strippers are messy and not worthwhile. Do you agree? If so, would it be easier (and better) to lay on a scratch coat and then adhere brick slabs (like zbrick) and point the joints? Can I slice some old bricks that I salvaged from the barnfloor or would I do better to but new ones for uniformity. Any ideas or suggestions? rmac in Tallahassee.

Hi rmac,

It would depend on what type of paint was used on the brick. If it's really stuck on there, you could probably bond new slices of brick to it. z-brick is not a masonry product. I think the joints come with the "bricks."

It's possible to make two thin bricks out of one brick by sawing off the front and back faces with a wet saw.

The stipper that I've used on brick is actually pretty good. Can't tell you the name, but basically it is applied with a consistency that's like rubber cement and then covered with special paper. After waiting the required time, the paper is peeled away and the paint comes with it. This was the only approved method of paint removal in an historic district where I lived since sandblasting destroys old soft brick and old mortar joints. A wire brush can help with any missed spots. One other suggestion. You can actually paint painted brick to look like unpainted brick. Sound crazy? I've seen it done and was astounded. In fact, the brick was painted with a brick faux finish, red with little flecks of black, gray, and white. You really had to examine it to realize that what you were looking at wasn't the real bricks' surface. Good luck!!!

Can you tell me if the paint used was from a swpray can? I've seen some at Lowes for simulated stone but6 not brick. Know any sources? Thanks. -rmac

I really don't know the source of the faux brick paint. Sorry. Could have been a custom job, much like marblizing.