Best way to stabilise sandy mortar in between bricks on wall before painting

[sololite]

After putting it off for months I have run out of excuses not to paint the outside of the house during lockdown - yay!

I plan to use Sandtex masonry paint again as the last lot mostly stuck on for several years.

Rather than paint over the cracks I thought I'd scrape away a bit and discovered a couple of areas where the motar(?) between the bricks is very 'sandy' and falls out easily.

I don't know wether to use some kind of stabilising product, water down the masonry paint and soak it in before a top coat or re-point it first. All of which I am unfamiliar with so thought I'd ask here for a recommended approach before starting.

thanks for helping this old timer!

 

[BathDIY]

I would repoint the worst areas first, depends on how unsound the mortar is.

Pictures might help others advise you on this.

I do know that Sandex has a product Sandtex Stabilising Solution which stabilises powdery, chalky or dusty weathered exterior surfaces. I have used and it worked on fairly powdery mortar, don't know how bad your mortar is.

 

[sololite]

Thanks mate

 

[foxhole]

When I sprayed my crumbling dashing I added a dollop of pva to each can before stirring .No loss after 20 years .