Before You Buy: How to Choose the Best Brick or Masonry Stain

Before you paint over that brick or masonry, know the difference. Not All “Mineral Paints” Are Truly Mineral.

The market for authentic mineral-based coatings is already niche—and when you factor in true durability, UV resistance, and breathability, it narrows even more. Many products on the market rely on organic pigments, synthetic fillers, or weak binders that degrade quickly and fail under harsh conditions. True long-term performance begins with pure Potassium Silicate, rigorous quality control, and UV-stable earthen mineral pigments—not synthetic colorants that fade in sunlight.

While some brands claim 20+ year lifespans, their warranties or marketing materials often tell a different story. Real longevity depends on surface condition. Masonry like brick, mortar, or stucco must be sound, clean, and dry—free of excess moisture—for any coating to succeed.

At Mineral Stains, we do what others don’t. We take your call, review your project photos, and flag potential problem areas—before you place an order. Because in the end, a warranty is only as strong as the surface it’s applied to. For added support, our How-To Page walks you through the entire process with clear steps and videos to guide you.

We don’t just sell a product—we guide you through the process so you make an informed, confident decision from the start.

At Mineral Stains, we go further.

• Our Sol-Silicate formula is uniquely designed for previously painted masonry, using reduced waterglass and increased silica content to ensure strong adhesion, excellent vapor permeability, and a natural mineral finish.
• Our Photocatalytic Stain—available exclusively in light to pastel colors—uses ceramic microsphere technology to reflect heat and cold, improving energy efficiency and contributing to environmental health by breaking down pollutants through photocatalytic action. While darker shades may look bold, they simply can’t deliver the same heat-blocking and self-cleaning benefits.
• Fixativ acts as our mineral thinner. For a transparent or softened finish, it can be diluted up to 90% to create a breathable, matte sealer. While some brands suggest using water, we don’t—water weakens the chemistry and reduces product lifespan. Fixativ preserves the mineral bond, ensuring long-term durability without sacrificing breathability.

Mineral Stains doesn’t just add color—we engineer smarter, longer-lasting finishes that respect masonry and elevate performance.

🚫 Not All Coatings Belong on Masonry

Latex, acrylic, and elastomeric coatings are not suitable—and definitely not the product of choice—when it comes to applying color to masonry surfaces like brick, mortar, stone, stucco, EIFS, precast, or foundation concrete.

These film-forming coatings trap moisture, which leads to peeling, blistering, and long-term damage. Worse, elastomeric products are often marketed as “durable,” but they seal the surface, stopping your masonry from breathing—exactly what it was designed to do.

Why Mineral Stains Work Better

• They penetrate instead of coat
• They allow moisture vapor to escape
• They don’t crack, bubble, or peel
• They are chemically bonded through potassium silicate, not plastic

If it’s a masonry surface, it should be with a Potassium Silicate base, for optimum performance.

Chart below will show a breakdown of our competitors. Romabio Masonry Flat is not listed, as it is the closest to our Masonry Stain. However, unless the color is ordered directly from the manufacturer, most paint stores when mixing custom colors will simply use organic pigments, which do not contain the UV stability, as earthen “mineral pigments”. We have the ability to create over 1500 colors, from our 45 base to many others from NCS, RAL, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams fan deck. The trouble with local paint stores is most will only have organic pigments in their machine dispenser, as this is their primary coloring system. This is to not say that this is all of the paint stores, but if purchasing a potassium silicate coating, this should be one of the questions, when making a purchase.

✅ Real Masonry Performance

Feature	Mineral Stains	Romabio Limewash	Acrylic / Latex
Breathability (ASTM E96)	✔ Up to 6x more breathable	⚠ Up to 6x more breathable	❌ Poor
Pigments	✔ UV-stable mineral pigments	❌ Limited colors	❌ Synthetic, fade fast
Binder	✔ Pure Potassium Silicate	⚠ Lime or hybrid blends	❌ Plastic/acrylic resin
Peel Risk	❌ Will not peel	✔ Will not peel	❌ High risk of peeling
Sealing Needed?	❌ No	❌ Required to prevent fading	✔ Often required

🧱 Built for Brick. Made to Last.

• Stains, not paints – soaks in, doesn’t trap moisture
• Zero peeling, no fading – even in harsh sun
• 100% custom colors with only mineral pigments
• 6x More Breathable

⚠ The Problem with Other “Mineral” Paints

Need a custom color? Many companies switch to organic colorants—which fade fast and lack UV protection. At Mineral Stains, we never cut corners. Every color. Every time. Only mineral-based pigments are used on our Base colors, or Custom colors!

Smarter for Brick. Safer for Masonry. Stronger Over Time.