We have a cape cod that has aluminum siding on the gabled ends...the paint on the siding has after years slowly washed onto the bricks nearest to the siding...What can I use to remove and wash the white off my red bricks? Thanks

I'm not a brick guy but you can i think use a wire brush or a wire wheel on a drill motor. i don't think there is a wash liquid. but i don't know for sure. i do know the wire wheel will work but its a lot of work. there are solvents but they will soak into the brick and you don't want that to happen as it could deteriorate the bricks.

Perhaps a "Flap wheel" attachment on a power drill may do the Trick? I've used this on a chassis rail that needed stripping as the Wire brush way was uneven and needed a lot of pressure
And as you'll see the Flap wheel has to be Held side on to the Work

And Of course you want a Wheel for metal as they'll last long Grade? If you aren't harsh
I say an 80 Grit or medium grade will be good for the Job.
AND DO WEAR PROTECTIVE EYEGEAR! as brick dust/chips will Be coming off

Here are a big selection average price is about $7 Yep, $7
Tip Ask at the Info counter in your Local DIY superstore they will tell you what is the best type for your job .Take down a piece of paper with the state of the Work to do(Brick type) ...is it Rustic/smooth faced is it Flaking with age ? And the Measurements.



As for Chemical brick cleaner its acid based like some paint strippers...Forget that(and its expensive

PS Power washing and Using an Air line may Blow out the "Pointing "! (and Have little effect)
Though an Air-line compressor drill fitting with the Flap wheel will be OK The air pressure spins the drill head very fast

With all due respect to the above posters, I'd say be VERY careful about sanding/brushing the outside of the brick. If you look at most bricks, the outside edge is smooth, and has a shine to it. That's part of the process of firing the brick, and that finish is there for a reason.

If you chip, or wear the outer coating away, then you expose the inside of the brick to the elements. There are paint removers that will remove the paint from the surface of the brick, without damaging the finish of it.
Michigan, like Ontario, is prone to freeze and thaw cycles, and if water is allowed into the brick, there's the potential for a whole lot of damage.
I researched this topic quite extensively a few years ago. We live in an 1860's Victorian cottage, and a previous owner had painted the beautiful yellow, local brick, over in white.
I looked into all sorts of solutions for removing the paint, and finally decided to repaint the house in a cream colour. The cost of removing the paint was prohibitive. This may not be so expensive for you, depending on how much of the brick is stained.

During my research, looking for a solution for my home, I found numerous sites, warning about sandblasting, sanding, brushing and scraping brick. The consensus seemed to be, to use a paint remover, and there are several good ones on the market.
Even that wasn't a good option in my case, because, as I said, it would have been too costly to treat the whole exterior of the house.

Here's an interesting article:Strip and peel methods tedious but effective for removing paint from brick

I found some environmentally friendly paint removers here. However, I think Lowes or Home Depot would also have some products.

Thanks everyone.

Yes dg..I was more thinking of a power washer with some type of solvent...the bricks are not covered totally in paint...the paint has just slightly stained the upper bricks giving them a sort of white washed look...personally I don't think it looks bad...you see homes with it all the time but it is driving my dad nuts..lol..thanks agian

Just a Thought Take a trip into town, and find out how the Graffiti removal people do .Pick their Brains what cleaner they use in their powerwashers?

Bedstor, I'm pretty sure they use sandblasting for that. To destructive for brick I'd think.

How about:

Here is how the Professionals do it With a Steam Water pressure jet and Here is the Photographic proof to Show the Process Before During, and After
If I had to clean your wall I'd have to down size the Equipment somewhat to fit the Budget
The local Tool hire firm should have some of these Pressure washers, and will come up with the right attachments if needed .Tell them the job its going to be doing before Parting with any money and It'll take you no time to do this .If you've Steamed wallpaper off before, then the Job will be easy

NOTE! They do use a Mild gritty additive but a trade secret! They kept it to themselves Anyone got any ideas on this
(Soluble in water)

Forcing water under pressure into brick just doesn't make sense, regardless of how some professionals do it. If you stop and think how bricks are made, it involves removing water. It just doesn't make sense to force water deep back into brick. A chemical "peel" seems to me to be the smarter solution, especially when the home is in an area with seriously cold winters and freeze/thaw cycles. When water freezes, it can easily dislodge mortar, concrete, and even brickwork.

You Know I agree with your comments about local climate 100% DG
This is a Classic Head scratcher!

quote:

Forcing water under pressure into brick just doesn't make sense

Right, DG.
A power washer can be used, but with caution. Set it too high, and you'll damage the surface of the brick.

Bedstor, I'm not sure why you are still confused. There is no quick and easy way to clean paint from brick. It is not in any way similar to steaming wallpaper off.
Please read my post again, and particularly the article in the link.

Dg I concur with you too Using a power washer "Full blast" will blow at more than you want TURN it down to give about a quarter to 1 Third pressure Only the Inexperinced will open the Valve up

I used to use an Airline cleaning Running Textile machinery and it was a Live feed (higher than a Garage forecourt airline) and the Hoses had no regulators so we'd have to kink/squeeze the Hose to get the right pressure Too much and You'd Have a snow storm of Cotton dust Getting onto Adjacent machines stopping them or with practice you get a gentle blow

So instead of the Wand attachment on the Pressuer washer I wonder if an Air compressor gun can be Fitted to localise the jet to be inch perfect on brick faces
And the pointing can Be painted in with a matching Color? Depending on the Work to do may be able to get away with a Sample size pot(If they are in stock)
Just discovered another article on Preparing Brickwork (For Painting) and what paint is Best
There may be an Idea here?

I still say Oxi-clean might work because the paint that comes of of the aluminum siding comes of because of oxidation, I think.

For that Matter if just a running stain, Perhaps a Bottle of white kitchen cleaner like Cif (you use on Metal worktops) and a stiff Scrubbing Brush may get a good result...I use it as a Hand Cleaner too
Also Ajax /Vim pan scourer but thats more gritty

Both are ok with your hands ...Don't use this on clear plastic it scratches like mad! 100% on most other Materials

Cost? a bucket of warm water and Perhaps $2(at most) for the Bottle or can.(Be in the cleaning section of your local store)

What about simple paint remover. Nitromors of something similar. You can safely use it on masonry according to this

Start with the least abrasive and invasive methods and continue on. Prosoco makes high quality detergents/solvents for brick and you can purchase them at any building materials yard. A low pressure wash is very common for removing materials and it's much less of an issue than is represented above, putting any kind of grit or acids in the wash will cause long term damage and excessive wear over time by opening the pores. A low pressure wash in the summer months should not be a problem though.

If it was me, I would leave it and call it character. Messing with brick isn't always successful. If you must then get some prosoco product and apply per the directions.

Are you sure it's paint and not efflorescence? Efflorescence is very common - leaching of salts and minerals from the brick which leaves a white residue over the surface. It can look like white paint in some instances. It can be washed off with detergent and a scrub brush but it may return.