How to Use Glazing Putty on Brick Surfaces

  • 2-4 hours
  • Beginner
  • 15-50
What You'll Need
Glazing putty
Putty knife
Stiff-bristled brush
Rags
Warm water
Sponge
Oil-free liquid soap
Latex gloves
What You'll Need
Glazing putty
Putty knife
Stiff-bristled brush
Rags
Warm water
Sponge
Oil-free liquid soap
Latex gloves

In several ways, glazing putty can help prolong the life of brick. You can use glazing putty to fill in holes and cracks in the brick. You can also use glazing putty to make a surface ready for you to paint over. Regardless of why you are using glazing putty, you need to follow certain procedures to achieve the desired result. The article that follows will share with you how to properly use glazing putty with brick.

Step 1 - Inspect and Remove Loose Debris

Brick can be a very dirty material to work with, and that dirt can prevent glazing putty from properly adhering to the brick surface. Look closely at the brick and find the areas where you wish to use the glazing putty. These areas can be cracks and chips in the brick surface or areas where mortar has come away. Use the stiff-bristled brush to remove any debris on the brick surface. This debris can be pieces of brick, dirt or parts of broken mortar. Don't force the debris away or else you can cause the brick to deteriorate and make your job harder.

Step 2 - Clean the Brick Surface

After you clear the debris, you can then wash the brick surface. You can wash the entire surface or just the area where you are going to work. Add the oil-free liquid soap to the warm water and make it sudsy. Submerge the sponge into the soapy water and squeeze out the excess soapy water. Gently rub the brick surface with the sponge. This cleaning will remove dirt that you could not get off previously as well as clean off any grime from day-to-day exposure.

Wash the brick surface with plain water. Allow it to dry completely before you proceed to the next step.

Step 3 - Use the Glazing Putty

You can buy all kinds of glazing putty. If the options confuse you, ask the salesman at the home improvement store to help you select the best one. There are glazing compounds and glazing fillers. Some come with catalysts already mixed in, and others require you to add the catalyst yourself. For ease of application, you should use a glazing putty that is a combination of filler and catalyst.

Squeeze some of the glazing putty onto the putty knife. A little product will go a long way. Slide the putty knife over the area to be filled or repaired and spread out the putty. Do your best to get it on only the desired area.

If you make a mistake, you can remove the putty with warm water and a rag. Put on a pair of latex gloves and use your finger to smooth out the glazing putty. Add more to the area and smooth it out. Continue until you have filled all holes and cracks.