Brick paint calculator
Brick is the most paint-hungry common exterior surface — the porous face plus deep mortar joints can drop coverage to 150 sq ft/gal. Plan for two coats minimum and a masonry primer first; painted brick is a one-way decision (very hard to reverse cleanly).
Estimates round up to the nearest quart and are based on Kompozit's published coverage. Buy slightly more for touch-ups and color changes.
Painting brick is a one-way decision
Once brick is painted, you can't easily go back. Stripping paint off brick involves chemical strippers, a lot of mess, and often damages the brick face. Be sure before you commit. Limewash is a reversible alternative — it weathers off naturally over 5–10 years.
Why two coats minimum
The first coat soaks into the brick face and the mortar lines unevenly — it'll look patchy. The second coat is what reads as a finished color. Don't trust how it looks after one coat.
FAQ
Limewash is a high-pH lime + water + pigment slurry that bonds chemically with the brick. Covers ~150 sq ft/gal, two coats, and ages beautifully. Reversible — it weathers off if you change your mind.
First coat: brush, working paint into mortar joints. Second coat: spray + back-roll. Spraying without back-rolling on the first coat leaves pinholes in mortar lines.