Efflorescence on new paint :-(

ChasingtheWelshdream

I repointed and tidied up some brickwork with lime last Autumn and have finally got round to painting it. It should be fully cured and has shown no signs of damp.

It was previously painted and as I couldn’t remove every trace of the old paint - and it is to be painted black -  it was recommended to use a silicate paint instead of lime wash. Not cheap but gave a lovely finish and breathability was the priority.

I have followed the instructions to the letter - a coat of fixative and then diluting the first coat of paint with 20% fixative. At least 12 hours drying time and the weather has been fine/warm enough. It looked great….

Until…. three days after the first coat, there now appears to be efflorescence coming through. :-( Against the black, it is really obvious and I’m so disappointed.

It is showing only on some bricks, around the edges but not the pointing. I hadn’t noticed any efflorescence on the unpainted bricks.

I’m unsure what to do now. Do I carry on with the second coat? See how much more appears and brush it away first. Has all my hard work been ruined? 😕

It is on the plinth at the base of the house, so 3-4 bricks are below the dpc. 

ChasingtheWelshdream

Just thought I’d update. I simply brushed the whiteness off and went ahead with the second coat. So far, nothing else has come through so - touch wood - it was nothing to worry about. 

It looks great, far better than the nasty plasticky stuff that was there before and is allowing the brickwork to breathe again. Now just need to wait until Spring to paint the other side of the wall, once that lime is cured.