German Schmear Brick

German schmear brick is brick covered with a thin coat of wet mortar that is spread on and partly wiped off, leaving an old-world, stone-like texture. Because it is mortar, not paint, it does not peel and is close to permanent, which also makes it the hardest brick finish to undo. It needs clean, unpainted brick.

How German schmear is applied

The Brick Industry Association's Technical Note 6 calls this finish a mortar wash. It describes it as a mineral, matte treatment that bonds as fine particles from the mortar enter the pores of the brick. TN 6 recommends pre-bagged, pre-blended mortar that meets ASTM C1714 and C270, rather than a mix made up on site. That is what we use, so the color and strength stay the same from the first bag to the last.

1. Clean and wet. The brick is washed, mildew and loose material come off, and the wall is dampened so it does not pull water out of the mortar too fast.
2. Mix. Bagged mortar is mixed to a soft, spreadable consistency, one batch size at a time.
3. Spread. Mortar is pressed onto the brick and joints with a trowel, a brush or a gloved hand, in small sections.
4. Knock back. Before it sets, some is scraped or wiped off to let brick faces show through.
5. Cure. The wall is kept from drying too fast in hot sun, which can weaken the mortar.

How heavy should the coverage be?

TN 6 notes that the look can range from a semi-opaque wash, close to limewash, to a thick layer that hides large areas of brick, like old plaster wearing away. Most homes land in between:

• Light. A thin film over most of the brick, with brick color clear underneath.
• Medium. Mortar fills the joints and covers about half of each brick face.
• Heavy. Mortar covers most of the wall, with just the edges and high points of brick showing.

The tool changes the look too. TN 6 notes that a trowel is used for thicker coats. A brush or sponge gives a softer edge. We do a test board and a patch on the wall before committing.

Is German schmear permanent?

Close to it. TN 6 says the bond can last for many years, and since it is not a film, it does not peel the way paint can. The flip side is that it is very hard to take off. Choose coverage carefully, since you can always add more mortar later but you cannot easily take it away.

Picking a mortar color

White mortar gives the classic look. Gray reads cooler and more like old stone. Buff and tan blend with warm brick and stone trim. Mortar dries lighter than it looks wet, so test boards are left to dry fully before you choose.

Caring for German schmear

A schmeared wall needs little care. Dirt and pollen rinse off with a garden hose and a soft brush. Avoid high-pressure washing, which can wear away thin areas of mortar. Mildew on shaded walls can be cleaned with a mild masonry cleaner. If a section is damaged later, a note of the mortar product and color we used makes matching easier.

German schmear vs limewash vs whitewash

• German schmear: mortar, textured, close to permanent.
• Limewash: a lime coating that soaks in, breathes and fades over years.
• Whitewash: thinned paint, wiped back; a film that can peel over time.

Painted brick cannot take schmear or limewash. For painted brick, see brick house painting.

Newer brick homes

Schmear is often chosen to give a newer brick home a farmhouse or European look. In Argyle about 54 percent of homes were built in 2000 or later, and in Sanger about 53 percent, by Census estimates, much of it brick. See exterior painting in Argyle and in Sanger. HOA neighborhoods may treat it as an exterior change, and we help with HOA color approvals.

Historic districts and fireplaces

In Denton's Oak-Hickory district, the Development Code limits changes to masonry that was never painted. A mortar wash likely counts as altering it, so ask the city's historic preservation staff first. Indoors, schmear works on fireplace brick; our brick fireplace painting page covers the surround and the firebox.

Nearby

• Exterior painting
• Limewash brick
• Exterior painting in Argyle, TX