Cleaning

• Even fine traces of dust can prevent new finishes from sticking to brick. Eliminate foreign particles by spraying the columns with a pressure washer. Red brick tends to hide dirt well. Thoroughly wash the column prior to application, or finish failure is likely to result. If you hired a contractor to finish your red brick columns, watch that they clean the surface first.
  
  

Primer

• If you add paint to bare brick columns, peeling will prove inevitable. At first, the paint will appear to stick; however, after several weeks or months, the columns will shed their new finish. An adhesive bonding primer will promote a lasting finish. Roll or spray a latex-base primer onto the red brick. Because red brick tends to bleed through white primer, you may need to add two coats.
  
  

Paint

• Once the red brick columns are primed, they'll take a painted finish. White latex paint will prove durable on interior columns. Unfortunately, it may crack and fade when applied to exterior columns, which are subject to direct sunlight and harsh weather. To generate an enduring finish that will stand the test of time, apply a white acrylic latex paint to your columns. If you hired a contractor, ask to read the labeling on the paint container before her workers apply the finish coat.
  
  

Application

• Professional contractors tend to use electric or gas-powered spray rigs to apply paint to brick columns, which hastens the application process. Unfortunately, this procedure may leave holes and skip marks throughout rough, porous brick. For an attractive, uniform finish, roller the primer and paint onto the columns and touch-up the brick mortar with a nylon paintbrush. If you plan to use a contractor for this type of project, ask how he plans to paint the brick before making the hire.