How to Use Brick Staining Dye
Bricks are one of the oldest construction materials in the world. The oldest bricks ever discovered (made from clay-rich mud and baked in the heat of the sun) were found in the Tell Aswad region of Syria and date back to at least 7500 BCE! Fired bricks came soon after between the years 5000 and 4500 BCE. The Ancient Romans made much use of the fired-brick technique which, though today's materials and technologies have been vastly improved, remains largely the same to this day.
Bricks are still the primary material used for building houses and there are numerous colours and styles available to suit different aesthetic requirements. The colour of the bricks can fade over time and there are several ways to restore them to their former glory. One of these methods is to use masonry paint though this can alter the masonry's surface texture as well as impeding its vapour permeability.
Another problem that can occur with the overall appearance of a brick structure is when renovation and repair projects are performed. Often, the new bricks are of a different tone than the original ones, causing the finished result to resemble a patchwork quilt. This is not a look that most people admire!
The best way to achieve a harmonious, complementary and aesthetically-pleasing result is to use brick stain dye. Combining vivid, oxide-based pigment with potassium silicate solvent, the dyes are designed to deeply penetrate the microscopic pores in brick, creating a strong and durable chemical bond. The masonry's surface texture remains unchanged, as do it's vapour-permeable properties.
Usage Guide
- You should wear appropriate protective clothing. Obviously, the pigment can easily stain absorbent materials so if there is any spillage it should be immediately cleaned with lots of water.
- Give the container a thorough shake to ensure the dye is well mixed. Decant it into a suitable vessel.
- If you prefer a lighter shade then you can add water to the dye at this stage. Ensure that you do not exceed the maximum ratio of dilution, which is two parts of water to one part of brick stain.
- With a clean, high-quality brush, start applying the dye to the brick surface. Try to avoid overlapping the strokes as this may result in a deeper shade. One coat is sufficient but a darker tone can be achieved by applying a second coat after the first has fully dried.
- As a general guide, one litre of dye should be sufficient to cover up to 25 square metres of brick surface. This can vary based on the colour depth you wish to achieve as well as on the specific porosity of the brickwork.
Our brick staining dyes are sold in convenient one-lite containers and there are no less than 12 different colour options to choose from: Rustic Red, Old London Stock, Old London Yellow, Old London Red, Burnt Orange, Traditional Red, Hamstone Yellow, Classic Plum, Rich Brown, Coffee Brown, Soot Wash and Carbon Black. We also supply 75ml testing pots if you're not sure which colour will best suit your needs.
Browse the full collection of brick staining dyes on our website. While you're here, please take a moment to subscribe to our regular newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest from Twistfix!