Restoring bricks?

[diy457]

Whats the best way to restore bricks?

I have some brickwork on front lower of house (the rest is newly rendered). Most people in the area have painted this bit brick red as its not the best bricks - but i want to keep it as plain bricks if possible.

There is some pollution / dirt on them that wont come off with a licked finger so has anyone got any ideas how i could attempt to bring them back to life.

I have a pressure washer so ill try that first but anyone else got any ideas?

Its just been repointed so maybe a pressure wash isnt a good idea.

Anyway... Thanks.

 

[Paintbrush]

I have just pressure washed some paint residue from yellow bricks.

When the house was originally painted the decorators got lots of paint on the brick work (not just my house) which I decided to have a go at getting off.

The sanding dust I created also left a mess so that had to go too.

Although the pressure washer was good on the dust it wouldn't budge the actual paint. I ended up contacting these very helpful and friendly folks who advised on what product to use -

Once you select scroll down for the suggestion:

http://www.stripperspaintremovers.com/I_want_to_remove.htm#2