Painting brick walls questions

[Mike Redwick]

Hi, i'm considering painting my outdoor walls as it is looking quite bad. I'm very new to the diy scene and would be really thankful for any advice you can give me please.
I've just recently moved into my new home so also a first time home owner.
I have looked at Sandtex smooth masonry paint in red and also the Dulux brand but the instructions on their websites advise they are not suitable for engineering bricks,common or fletton. I have no idea what type of brick I have but have attached pictures so hoping someone can confirm and also advise me if I'd need some primer and if its best to use a roller or brush ?

By the way I've never painted anything in my life so this should be interesting!! very keen to give it a go of course but need to ensure I do it correctly.

have created links to the 4 pictures
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k5d9fxysy5nhem4/IMG_20160807_154853355.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gjpbm9m6yqaxuc1/IMG_20160807_154903054.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/88sqc6sjk9bil2e/IMG_20160807_154921212.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/70muyc24szhb6it/IMG_20160807_155008794.jpg?dl=0

You will also notice that there are small holes in the brickwork. Can these be patched in easily ?

 

[Nozzle]

The ones along the top (the smooth ones) are engineering bricks

Noze

 

[geraldthehamster]

You can paint those but I'd leave the engineering bricks unpainted - they're not as absorbent so the paint tends to come away after a time. I'd patch the holes in with a bit of mortar, give the brickwork a quick scrub and get stuck in. You don't need primer. You do need two coats.

Having said that, I don't, personally, like red brick paint. White or cream is cheerful

Cheers
Richard

 

[vinn]

Dont. Dont apply any kind of paint to that brickwork.

The walls in question appear to be retaining walls or walls with efflorescence.
Ground water that is penetrating the retaining walls will blow off any paintwork leaving the bricks looking shabbier than ever.

Use a dry scrubbing brush, a wet scrub will bring out the more salts, & lightly go over the surface.
That will be the best you can get.

Its been a long established practice in the building trade & conservation quarters not to paint masonry - even with a "good" masonry background - because you will cause yourself various difficulties for no gain but more work & expense.

Masonry paint on render is a different subject.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

In addition to vinns comments I would have got to work on it with a pressure washer, I would expect it would come up like new.

 

[vinn]

If you use a power wash you will accelerate the appearance of efflorescence chemical blooming.
It would initially come up like new but then quickly fade.