Does anyone know how to achieve this look. What paint do I buy. Color? Oil based? Any info would help. Here is the picture I found on the internet. My brick is a little more beat up.
I've done this a few times before. If your existing brick is darker than the desired result, first paint it with a high-adhesion primer, preferably oil based. If the colour is lighter than what you want you don't have to prime, just get a spray bottle of water and dampen the bricks before applying so that the latex paint doesn't absorb and disappear into the brick. To prime: First get some painter's tape about the same width as the grout lines on your brick and cover all the lines. Press the tape firmly so that the primer doesn't leak underneath. Now you can use latex based paints over top of the primer. I use a sea sponge and dilute the paint - you can use a faux finish extender, but I use just plain water. About 1/2 and 1/2 paint & water. Just dip the damp sponge into the paint mixture and dab and smear it on the brick, experimenting with the end result. You can rip the sponge in half and use one piece in each hand. Each sponge gives a different effect. Rinse out the sponge and add different colours in the same way. I use latex paint leftovers, or craft paints. You need such a small amount of paint that it is a shame to have to buy too much. I've never top coated my bricks, but when I paint over tile I use a polyurethane top coat. Now remove the tape and admire!
Here's an interesting brick refinishing site. It has some before and afters of brick fireplaces that have been refinished. I don't know their process but it looks pretty nice.
