How to do the German Schmear- its easier than you think!

[@davidowle3772]

A few pointers: 1) water is your friend with porous surfaces like brick. Keep the brick wet while you schmear as it aids in proper adhesion. 2) work from the bottom up. As you apply the mortar, literally push the mortar into the brick in an upwards motion... not side to side. 3) use your (rubber gloved) hands! The magic of the finished result is that it's meant to be messy. As such, you can dispense with the trowels (or floats), grab a handful and smoosh it into the wall. 4) grab a 2½ inch paint scraper and scrape the mortar off the brick in some spots while still wet. You can even damp sponge more off... instead of trying to wire brush it off later. 5) start with a regular gray mortar mix schmear, then do a second coat of limewash for an even more variable finish. While we're on the topic of second coats, it's easier to go light first and add more later than to try to get some of the white off later.

[@bardinkurtis]

What about sealing?

[@StacyForest738]

This is invaluable information, thank you!!!!!!!

[@helenpearson795]

Thank much appreciated the advice is most welcome

[@emilymarshall5523]

We did this yesterday to our fireplace based on your video and it looks amazing!!! Thank you so much!

[@sallyironic4251]

Cheap, my favourite word when it comes to renovating.

[@jordanmerlino2020]

By far the most helpful tutorial I’ve found for this technique. Thank you!

[@ibeg4sushi]

@Nope Nahhh. Looks great.

[@nessad9959]

Thank you! Great tutorial! I used pre mixed thin set with a heavy duty rubber glove to smear it.

[@sarajensen9882]

I just did a brick floor. If you want more reveal of the brick color, you can seal them first. The mortar will still stick just a as good, but when you wipe it away to allow more surface to come through it’ll be less hazy

[@simmi7824]

Great pointer! What did you use to seal the brick?

[@sarajensen9882]

You can use synthetic sealer for masonry, but I wanted a more authentic finish, so I used wax. FILA makes a matte and a satin. I sealed the brick before grouting and schmering. Then sealed again over all of it. This was advice from the folks at RealThinBrick (where I bought my bricks).

[@c1nicolei]

Does this need to be sealed? Looks great!

[@garyorlic3080]

You did a great job! Thank you for the video.😊

[@garyorlic3080]

You can also use a group gun

[@estZEN]

I try with grout and the problem was when you touch white powder goes in your hand so what I did to fix this I add to water little white glue and also you can put little white paint to bond the cement together. I think if you use brick sealer it would makes the colors more fresh.

[@jimmertens9950]

I did it reluctantly but I should have never very hesitated. It looks looks fantastic. My biggest advice: start in the center and work out. You'll always put more plaster at the start. This way it looks good to the eye!

[@TimberTea]

good tip!!! and so happy you gave it a shot... i was super happy i did!

[@cslattfri]

This looks GREAT! And easy. Easier than convincing my husband to re-do our kitchen with brick so I can paint it.

[@prayineveryday]

how long did it take from start to finish (not counting the 2nd day)?

[@ladybird3596]

I’ve seen so many videos on this , and I’ve heard that gloves n doing it our hand works the best to apply. But yours looks awesome! I think there isn’t a right or wrong way as long as it works for you n you’re happy with outcome! Great JOB!!!

[@TimberTea]

well said wendy, when it comes to German schmear there are certainly many ways to do it! Just pick the method you like best..

[@summertime8879]

Agreed!!! 💯

[@Star-mj2od]

Love this. I'm not able to click on the Mortar link from homedepot, can you add a picture?

[@kellydaniels480]

I'm going to use grout today and see how it goes. Its a new wall so I need to grout any way.

[@marieclaudelavigueur3942]

Could we do on tiles?

[@rebeccavonzuben9224]

Love this! I’m sooo doing this following your guidelines. Will post when done. 👍🏼

[@vjonas397]

I’ve read just using your rubber gloves hand to apply it work great

[@TimberTea]

would probably be more fun that way too!

[@karenstimson2683]

I love this technique! You are so inventive.

[@TimberTea]

I'd love to take credit for inventing this technique but I can't :) But I do love the look of it and will be using the German Schmear in future DIY projects.

[@summertime8879]

It turned out BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@williambarnicle569]

modified thinset will work best.. it has the best adhesion

[@Pops-GiGis-Workshop]

Thanks for this video! I've watched several on this technique and you make it look so much easier and not as complicated. Im going to give it a try!

[@DIYinCA]

Great job but do you think making the mix thinner and brushing or rolling it on might make the job less labor intensive?

[@TimberTea]

It might, maybe I'll try that next time I do it. Or if your going to do a German Schmear let me know how it turns out for you ? Anyone else try this ?

[@DIYinCA]

@@TimberTea I will definitely keep you posted when I do.

[@nancyburrowes8940]

I'd try a little thinner mortar. I'd like a little more color showing.great idea 😊

[@karebear804]

Perfect. This is exactly what I was looking for. Also, you are adorable 😊

[@heatherreismiller3128]

This looks so great! Can this be done outdoors? I’m torn between this look and whitewashing 😳🤷🏼‍♀️

[@TimberTea]

Yes this method of German Schmear can be done outside or inside. If your going to go with a whitewash make sure you use an exterior grade paint. I did a video a while back on how to whitewash 5 different ways chekc it out @ kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2iTZ6mGj55nf9k Let me know what you end up deciding !

[@heatherreismiller3128]

Timber & Tea thank you so much!! 😃

[@HardHeadMilitary]

The schmear is probably more cost effective

[@alexseven7]

I want to turn my red brick wall in the back yard to a different color. Do you think I can add a tint to make it more of a dark grey, charcoal look? Or from your experience, is it only white? Thanks. It looks good.

[@kimjoslyn]

Yes you can add coloring tint

[@jeffstumpf822]

Make mud a little more wet and use a sponge to apply

[@shawndastubbs3829]

Your Home Depot mortar link is broken

[@laurencarlie6967]

You are HILARIOUS. By the way I’m doing faux brick wall panels so I’ll see if your technique works for that as well 🤷🏻‍♀️..... or I’ll just look at some videos specifically on faux brick German schmear 😂.

[@TimberTea]

Hey Lauren let me know how the German Schmear turns out on the fake brick, I think it should work !

[@josephde-zordi7324]

very good, much better than horrible paint, can also add metal oxides for colour

[@abdulblessinger6659]

Thanks 😌😊

[@cherylrizzo4038]

I need to do this to the wall where my electric stove is.

[@anon-mx4jx]

I have no idea why people think old buildings in Germany typically look like this. I have never seen such a building in Europe even.

[@briemills9209]

I am not liking that look at all but whatever you like. How do you remove that if you want to redecorate??

[@myadhdlife4869]

Get a trowel to apply it on the wall.

[@RyanHargrove-po9mv]

You could have watched a DIY video before showing everyone the wrong way to do it. 😂

[@Endoe.McKronic]

I wonder how long it took her to use another tool to spread it on easier before her arm got tired. Looks like she watched another video on Schmearing. AAHAHAHAH!

[@NEG_Integer]

somehow i found 'before' looks much better than 'after' .

[@InfiniteEchos]

I've just done a schmear test for a client and the finish looked freaking awful. Definitely a 'look' that will date like pebbledash

[@mikejustice1196]

I would tell you how the professionals do it but you probably wouldn’t hear me for the disturbing music. You know, the music we listened to in college while the professors were talking.

[@thomasfoster5200]

Too thick to slow

[@irvinwittmeier5208]

!;-)

[@alidi4144]

My husband has been doing this his whole life has a degree in masonry this looks really bad tik think