Things You\’ll Need
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1 gallon latex whitewash
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5 gallon bucket
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Paint stick
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Grease-fighting soap
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Scrub brush
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4-inch flat-edge paintbrush
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Masonry sealant
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Paint roller
Make bricks look older by applying basic hardware supplies. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
Brick walls are durable and efficient, but they may not add to the vintage decorative style or look you are trying to achieve. Make your brick walls look more vintage by painting them with whitewash. Whitewash is a traditional style of painting that you can apply as thin or heavy as you prefer; it creates a brick surface that will match the rest of your decor. Apply whitewash paint over the bricks yourself using a few basic and inexpensive hardware supplies.
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Step 1
Pour 1 gallon of latex whitewash into a 5 gallon bucket, then add in 2 gallons of water to dilute the whitewash. Stir the mixture with a paint stick to combine the two ingredients completely.
Step 2
Scrub the bricks using a grease-fighting soap, water and a scrub brush to remove any dirt, debris or staining. Allow the bricks to air dry for 8 hours.
Step 3
Paint the whitewash over the brick wall in a variegated layer using a 4-inch flat paintbrush. The whitewash will naturally become variegated, or irregular in appearance, as you paint. The variegation allows the finished brick wall to look vintage and antiqued. Allow the whitewash to air dry for 8 to 10 hours.
Step 4
Apply a layer of masonry sealant over the whitewashed brick wall using a paint roller, then allow the sealant to dry for 8 to 10 hours. The sealant creates a waterproof layer that will protect the whitewash from damage and weathering.
Tip
Apply more layers of whitewash to create a more opaque-looking brick wall.
Warning
Wear a face mask when applying latex whitewash and masonry sealant to avoid breathing in fumes
