Learn how to German schmear brick, in no time! Makeover a brick fireplace with mortar wash, a beginner-friendly DIY project.
As much as I love the cozy features in our cottage-style home, some of it is a bit dark for my liking. For example, our east-facing living room only gets morning light, making it dim in the afternoons. Though I like the chunky wood trim, I’m not tied to the brick fireplace or mid-tone walls. Therefore, a German schmear brick fireplace makeover was a solution to brighten the living room.
German schmear, like a whitewash, doesn’t fully cover the brick. While I like painted brick, I felt retaining some amount of exposed brick would be true to the modern cottage design concept we’ve chosen. So, if you are a brick lover, a German schmear is a great compromise — lighter and brighter, while still preserving character.
What is a mortar wash?
A mortar wash is a decorative effect which involves strategically spreading a mixture of mortar and cement across brick.
The term German schmear (or German smear) has origins in Germany from the word “schmear” meaning “to spread, grease, smear.”
Unlike a whitewash, which is typically thin paint or paints thinned with water, the German schmear technique uses a thick medium. Mortar is the traditional medium, or use paint for a faux treatment. Completing German schmear with paint is simpler, and achieves a similar look.
This tutorial utilizes paint. If you want to try mortar, I suggest this mortar wash tutorial from Dimples and Tangles.
Supplies Needed
- Satin Wall Paint (my fireplace is SW Alabaster)
- Paint Brush
- Plastic Dropcloths
- Painters Tape
- Vacuum
How to German Schmear Brick
- First, vacuum the brick to remove dust, debris, and cobwebs.
- Once clean, cover the mantel, firebox opening, floor, trim, etc. with plastic dropcloths and painters tape.
- Now, dip the paint brush into the paint. There is no need to cover the brush in paint, only the tip of the brush.
- Next, run the brush tip over the mortar surrounding a brick, generously applying paint.
- Once the mortar is covered with paint, take the brush (without adding paint) and from the mortar and across the brick. This smears the paint over the face of the brick… hence, the name “German schmear.“
- Finally, repeat steps 3-5 until all of the mortar on the fireplace is covered. If you aren’t satisfied with the coverage, apply a second coat.
note: For reference, my fireplace has two coats of German schmear. It took less than 4 hours to complete, including dry time and cleanup. I used less than 1 gallon of paint.
FAQs
- What is the difference between mortar wash and whitewash? A mortar wash uses a mortar/cement mix or with undiluted paint. A whitewash requires thin paint or paints diluted with water.
- Do I need to use a primer? No. However, using paint and primer in one may reduce the total number of coats required.
- What type of brush should I use? Skip expensive brushes since the brick will be tough on the brush bristles. Ideally, choose a brush that is thick enough to cover the mortar lines, and approximately 2 inches wide. This will make painting the mortar quick and easy.
If you liked this DIY project, you might also like:
How to Install a Faux Brick Backsplash
Learn How to Paint a Brick Fireplace (and the best paint to use!)
How to German Schmear Brick (Mortar Wash)
Learn how to German schmear brick, in no time! Makeover a brick fireplace with mortar wash, a beginner-friendly DIY project.
Materials
- Plastic Dropcloths
- Painters Tape
- Interior Satin Paint
Tools
- Paint Brush
- Vacuum
Instructions
- First, vacuum the brick to remove dust, debris, and cobwebs.
- Once clean, cover the mantel, firebox opening, floor, trim, etc. with plastic dropcloths and painters tape.
- Now, dip the paint brush into the paint. There is no need to cover the brush in paint, only the tip of the brush.
- Next, run the brush tip over the mortar surrounding a brick, generously applying paint.
- Once the mortar is covered with paint, take the brush (without adding paint) and from the mortar and across the brick. This smears the paint over the face of the brick... hence, the name "German schmear."
- Repeat steps 3-5 until all of the mortar on the fireplace is covered. If you aren't satisfied with the coverage, apply a second coat.
Notes
For reference, my fireplace has two coats of German schmear. It took less than 4 hours to complete, including dry time and cleanup. I used less than 1 gallon of paint.
Mindy says
Did you mix the paint with water??
Lora Green says
Nope! It’s a dry brush technique so you don’t add any water.
Julie says
Looks really nice! What color is your wall paint next to the fireplace, SW Alabaster as well?
Lora Green says
Thank you, Julie! Yes, it is SW Alabaster on the walls, too! I’ve really like SW Alabaster in this home and have used it in our adjoining dining room, kitchen, and living room.
jennifer espey says
do u think
this will work on Black mortar and dark brick?
Lora Green says
Yes, I think it would work fine. You may need additional coats of paint over the black mortar, since the color will show through more.
Korey says
Hi! Curious if you think the SW Alabaster would work on red brick as well or look too cream? I like your technique of painting rather than having to deal with messy mortar, I assumed a white paint would do but does the Alabaster mimic mortar color more? Thanks! Fireplace looks beautiful!
Lora Green says
Thank you, Korey! SW Alabaster is a bit creamy. I used a bright white on these two projects (also brick): https://craftivitydesigns.com/how-to-paint-brick/ and https://craftivitydesigns.com/faux-brick-backsplash/
The reason I chose SW Alabaster for the german schmear is that I didn’t want it to feel so modern/new. The creaminess in SW Alabaster I felt would give it more of an aged look. But, we also have Alabaster on the wall next to the fireplace. So, if I had gone with a pure white, it would have looked even whiter next to Alabaster. All that being said… I think that either would work with red brick! Good luck 🙂 I’d love to see a pic when you are done!
Raquel says
Hi my brick fireplace seems like it is “finished” the bricks are shiny and seem sealed. I just bought the house so I have no idea if they’ve been treated with anything. Is there anything I should do before I try this process?
Lora Green says
Oh, that is interesting! Such a great question. My guess would be that the paint would still apply just fine. However, the combo of satin paint (which is more matte) and shiny brick, might highlight the fact that the brick is shiny… if that makes sense? I’d be inclined to try a spot that is less obvious. If anything, you may want to use a semigloss sheen in order to balance the sheen of the brick, rather than highlight it. Thanks!
raquel says
I’ll try that, thank you so much!!!
Jaime N Germany says
The mortar on my fireplace is quite deep so using a regular 2” paintbrush and getting it all also covers quite a bit of the surrounding bricks. I may try a narrower brush or adding glaze to the paint since it can be wiped off if too much is applied ( I saw 1 part paint 1 part glaze as an alternative method) Thoughts?
Lora Green says
That makes sense to try a narrower brush since the mortar is deep between bricks. The glaze simply slows the drying time of the paint. If I were you, I might try working in a small area and mastering how much paint you’d like applied. If you’d like to use the glaze for that area, it would give you some flexibility as you refine the process. Refine things such as (1) how much paint you want to get on your brush (2) how much overlap/coverage you want on the actual brick face and (3) how much paint you’ll need on the brush specifically for the mortar. Once you’ve refined that technique, you may feel comfortable without the glaze. My guess would be that for a small brush, you’ll cover the mortar first (with a fair amount of paint), then wipe the edges of the bricks with the excess before dipping the brush back into the paint. I hope that helps!
Maria says
This is beautiful! Are you using straight paint on this? Is it a flat paint? Do you mix it with water or anything! I’d like to this but it’s a little scary! Thanks , Maria
Lora Green says
Thank you! It’s a satin paint with no water. It’s incredibly easy!! You can print the instruction card at the end of the post, if that is helpful. Good luck!!
Jessica says
Your fireplace is beautiful! Do you think this will chip at all? I mentioned I wanted to do this to my MIL and she advised against paint bc it could chip. Just curious what your experience is. Thanks!
Lora Green says
Thank you, Jessica! I haven’t had any issues with chipping and honestly, I’m not really sure that it could chip very easily (if at all). The paint is a satin and the brick has tons of texture, so it adheres really well to the surface. That being said, one of the great things about German Schmear – since it has an uneven/worn look anyway – a chip here or there wouldn’t really show. For reference, I painted it about 1.5 years ago. In our last home, I did a full coverage paint (https://craftivitydesigns.com/how-to-paint-brick/) in a semigloss. Since it was glossier, I’d classify it as more prone to chipping. Also, since it was full coverage (instead of german schmear) it would definitely show chipping. Even then, in several years (2-3?), I only ever had 1 chip. I hope that helps!!
Taylor says
Hi There! Do you paint ALL of the mortar and then schmear or schmear as you go?
Lora Green says
Great question! Paint it as you go. It will dry fairly quickly. So, you’ll only paint the mortar around a few bricks, schmear it, then repeat on more bricks/mortar.