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Exposing Brick in Kitchen

KPHart
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 Joined: 2007-02-09
 Dad Points: 26

I am exposing the brick in one of the walls of our 1926 Bungalow.

I have already got the majority of the plaster off, I have cleaned it a couple of times with an ammonia solution and it looks pretty good right after cleaning but when it dries it gets a chalky coating. Do I need to clean it with muriatic acid solution or is there something safer?

What should I seal it with? Don't want a shine just the natural brick look. I have heard of using varnish, any masonry sealer, and even elmers glue and water mixture. Any suggestions?

Pat

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Submitted by KPHart on Sat, 02/09/2008 - 11:41pm.

randyfielding
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 Joined: 2007-02-05
 Dad Points: 336
Tips

You can easily get the plaster stains off of the bricks using water and brass-wire brushes. This will take some time, but the results should be very pleasing.

Is this brick wall exposed to the elements on the other side? If not, then you do not need to use a sealer on the bricks after cleaning them. If so, then what you really want is a water repellent, and there are no better water repellents for brick/masonry than silane- or siloxane-based repellents. (Defy MasonrySaver is a very good one.) These repellents are virtually invisible after being applied, do not cause color changes of the brick, and penetrate very deep into the brick. You will most likely have to find a commercial concrete/masonry store to buy one of these repellents, and they can be a bit pricey. Lastly, when you apply one of these repellents, you need to make sure that you are very liberal with it.

Randy
Cincinnati, OH
SAHD to Ryder (23 months)


Sun, 02/10/2008 - 1:24am

mbieweng
Posts: 317
 Joined: 2006-10-31
 Dad Points: 982
Muriatic acid

When water didn't do it for me on a similar project, I did have success with a muriatic (a.k.a. hydrocloric, HCl) acid solution. I don't think ammonia is going to do it - you're basically trying to dissolve calcium and other mineral deposits and I think that an acid is likely to do a better job.

I'd definitely try Randy's suggestions first, but the acid isn't that terrible if you're careful. Try it on a small area first, dilute it, do a small area at a time, wear gloves (nitrile or heavy rubber gloves will hold up better than latex gloves) and goggles, and have good ventilation, with possibly a fan to keep the air flowing. I believe that most masks (even those with the carbon canisters) won't filter the vapors, so good ventilation is a must. Also, if you store the acid, keep it away from other stuff, particularly metal containers. Over time, even a closed container of the acid will leak vapors that will corrode everything around it.

Well, I guess that all sounds a little bad, but it's really not that bad...


Sun, 02/10/2008 - 11:35am

KPHart
KPHart's picture
Posts: 22
 Joined: 2007-02-09
 Dad Points: 26
Brass Brush

I am just using a brass brush like Randy said and it is giving me good results. I will post another picture when I am done scrubbing.

Would rather not have to use the acid with all the fumes, especially with the kid around. Besides, I kinda like the look I am getting now.

Thanks, for all the suggestions.

Pat


Sun, 02/10/2008 - 1:17pm

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