How to clean/lighten brick wall?

Hello, We would like to get advice on how to clean (and hopefully lighten) brick wall in living/dining and bedroom. I tried researching online but did not find much! I hear about sanding wall or using some type of acid. Anyone tried? Any advice? Many Thanks!

valtravels

in Brownstoner Renovation 13 years ago

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jeff80 | 12 years and 11 months ago

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It’s not a very difficult job but you have to be very careful with the muriatic acid as it is very harmful. It is essential to properly dilute the acid with water depending on the conditions of the existing brick. Too much acid will harm your bricks and too little will not do the cleaning. You can find the sealer in any hardware store in brooklyn. Brooklyn Hardware 64 5th Ave carries them. you can see before/after pictures if you do a google image search.

valtravels | 13 years ago

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Thanks for the tips. Is it a difficult job? Could you give me an idea of how much work involved? Also, what is the sealer? Thanks, Val, pretty clueless…

jeff80 | 13 years ago

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yup muriatic acid will do the job. not primarily used for stripping paint. they have specific paint removal acid. make sure to apply sealer after you wash the brick with muriatic acid to give it that “bright” “light” look. highly recommended for interior bricks.

teenween | 13 years ago

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Will that also strip paint off of stone, brick?

stevecym | 13 years ago

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home depot, swimming pool suppliers, and mason yards carry muriatic.

stevecym | 13 years ago

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Muriatic acid.  We just did a newly exposed fire place in Bed sty and brushed on  a diluted solution of muriatic and it removed all of the whitening and other discoloration.  Dilute with water and use the weakest mix that will do the job as the acid will work on the surface of the bricks and the mortar joints if one is not careful. Steve

http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/tinkerswagon