Painting exterior brick is straightforward, but it's a one-way decision — once it's painted, it stays painted. So get the prep right.
Clean and repair first. Knock off any loose mortar, rake out and repoint dodgy joints, and let fresh mortar cure for at least 3-4 weeks. Scrub the whole wall down to remove dirt, moss, algae and chalky residue. A fungicidal wash sorts out organic growth — don't skip this or it'll grow back through your fresh paint. Pressure washing is fine, but go gentle on soft old brick and let everything dry fully. Damp brick is the number one reason paint fails out here.
Breathability is everything. Brick needs to breathe. If you trap moisture behind a plasticky film, you get blistering, spalling and frost damage. Go for a genuinely breathable masonry paint. Sandtex is the trade workhorse and copes well with weathering — it's a tool brand but it's what most decorators reach for on render and brick. For a smarter finish with proper colour depth, Little Greene's Masonry paint and Earthborn's Wall Gliss range are both breathable and take their lovely heritage colours outside. Dulux Weathershield is the mainstream option if you want a long guarantee and easy availability.
Prime if it's bare or chalky. A stabilising primer locks down powdery surfaces and stops the topcoat soaking in unevenly. On very porous brick it's not optional.
Colour-wise, painted brick suits soft off-whites and muddy neutrals — anything too bright looks municipal. Farrow & Ball Slipper Satin or Pointing read as a clean, warm period white. For something with more grounding, Mole's Breath or Mizzle give you that handsome, weathered look that ages well and hides dirt better than a stark white.
Apply two full coats with a long-pile masonry roller, cutting in brushwork around frames and detail. Pick a dry, mild spell — never paint in direct hot sun or when frost's forecast within 24 hours. Get the prep right and it'll hold for a good 10-15 years.