Using stabilizing solution on bricks

[ChasHyde]

Just a confirmation required really.

I have revealed the bricks on the chimney breast of my 1905 semi, repointed, all seems OK . .except . . . the bricks look really pale and washed out. When I wipe them over with a damp cloth, the colours really stand out, and that is the effect I wish to have.

I have read on this message board that 'Stabilising Solution' painted onto the brickwork is worth doing, am I correct in thinking that it will have the effect I require - i.e. making the bricks look damp ?

 

[Moo]

Nobody seems to have commented yet, so here goes with my ha'pennyworth -

The bricks edging the flagstones in our hall were similar to yours, in that they always looked dull and dusty. We slapped a coat of danish oil on them ten years ago and it did the trick. Never had to do it again.

Perhaps someone else could suggest something more appropriate than danish oil; we used it because (a) we knew no better, and (b) we had some left over from doing our kitchen worktops.

 

[ian]

Years ago we tried to "improve" some dry looking bricks. Used a coat of linseed oil ( don't remember if it was boiled or raw). The effect was too dark. Recently we did some hearth bricks with a proprietry sealer from a stove supplier to stop ingrained ash, soot etc - did not really change the colour but stops the ash making it greyer. The best I heard about is a single light coat of something like Thomsons Water Seal, a clear liquid. It's sold as an exterior water proofer so it should not be mentioned here. I think it needs several coats to get a full seal outdoors, so a run over once probably won't compromise the surface too much or end up as a plastic sheen. Caveat on test patch as always.

Unless anyone else has a better idea?

 

[Penners]

'Stabilising Solution'

I don't think stabilizing solution is breathable. It's just thin glue, really. And - speaking for myself - I wouldn't use anything called water seal, for the same reason.

I asked a question here a couple of years ago about a breathable stabilizing fluid for bricks and someone suggested isinglass. However, I confess I haven't tried it yet.

Moo's idea of Danish oil sounds rather good.

 

[chuckey]

I used some Thompsons water seal and it would appear to be a diluted stabilizer paint. Its got that same toffee-like stickyness as it runs down your elbow!
Frank

 

[ChasHyde]

Someone suggested a product called hotspot brick and stone sealer, anyone had any experience of this ?

As for Thompsons, I had trouble in a previous stone house with a west wall suffering from rain penetration, and painted a similar product on the wall, had to do it every two/three years, but was advised not to paint the bottom couple of feet because it would stop the wall from breathing. That product just seemed to be a thin silicon.

 

[Lime]

The problem with using stabiliser, apart from the non-breathing problems, is that once it is applied it can never be removed.
At some time in the future it will get darker in colour just like a varnish.

However I recall my father had some bricks painted (to brighten them up on an outside wall) using a water based paint/wash, very similar to children's powder paint.
You could try that if you can settle on a colour.
I have brightened some particularly dirty bricks with a cement colouring mixed with water too.