Hi! I have finally revealed the brick on the chimney, I've been waiting for four years. I did everything manually and it has been as hard as I read it would be *smiles* Now I just need to "patch" up where there are holes in the joints and then it's time for the surface treatment. I have read through the facts on this page and also searched the Internet otherwise. There are quite a few different options, but none address how it affects the color impression. My neighbor has oiled and it's too dark for my taste. I want it to look about the same as it does untreated, what should I use then??? Grateful for tips and advice since surely there are those of you who have managed multiple brick walls and the like over the years.
Sure looks wonderful... especially if I squint my eyes so I don't see the holes that need filling *s*. I'm getting mortar from a neighbor tonight, realizing how nice it is to have "handy" neighbors! The downside of untreated is that there apparently is some breakdown that causes the brick to release some reddish dust and the joints do something similar; I also want to be able to wipe without the joints releasing. Well, yesterday I found more information on treatment - silicate primer, which apparently when cured gives the same appearance as before treatment and allows for wiping during cleaning. If no one has any better suggestions, then that's what I'll resort to.../Carina
I was considering matte varnish, even thought about trying it with a can I had at home. Have you used it yourself? If so, is it best to varnish the joints themselves and once they've dried, do the brick/everything - to avoid the joints potentially releasing material that ends up on the brick. /Carina