The Complete Guide to the German Smear Technique

Looking for a unique but classy makeover for your home? Want something that works on exterior and interior wall surfaces from exterior facades to interior feature walls? Then the German Schmear technique is for you!
Updated: July 1, 2024

Tired of your home’s old brick? Then the German Smear finish is for you! It’s an easy way to breathe some life back into a boring brick wall and add some old-world charm to your home.

What Is German Schmear?

The German Schmear finish (also commonly spelled “smear”) is a type of mortar wash. It involves troweling light-colored mortar onto a brick wall. Then, depending on the desired finish, you wipe some of it off to expose parts of the brick. 

It’s a popular choice both for homeowners wanting to remodel an older home as well as people looking for some rugged sophistication on a newly constructed home.

Trusted German Smear Specialist in Garland TX | Alexander and Xavier Masonry

In this guide to the German Smear technique, you’ll learn more about German Smear and why it might be the right choice for your home. We’ll also give you some basic instructions on how to do your very own German Smear project and how to recover German Smear gone wrong.

German Smear Origins

Starting in Northern Germany, the German Schmear technique has become popular throughout Europe and America.

This finish is called “German” smear (or schmear) because it originated from Germany. Schmear is a German word that means “to spread,” like what you do with butter on bread.

So, depending on the look you’re going for, a mixture of wet mortar is troweled or painted onto the surface of your brick. Then, before it’s completely dry, some of it is wiped or scraped off to expose parts of the brick. This gives it a rustic kind of “Old World” look that never goes out of style.

HOW THE GERMAN SMEAR DIFFERS FROM OTHER BRICK-PAINTING TECHNIQUES

German Smear Wall Decorative! | Alexander and Xavier Masonry

In this part of our German Smear guide, we’ll look at the difference between the German Smear finish and other methods that are commonly used to refinish German Smear on red brick walls.

The main difference between German Smear and other brick painting techniques is the materials and methods used. German smear uses cement-based mortar. Other brick-painting techniques use regular exterior masonry paint or a limewash paint. 

Traditional Paint

Painting a brick house is a more economical design solution for giving your brick a different look, but it doesn’t provide the same 3D texture and old-world charm as the German Schmear method. 

Normal paint does have some benefits. Paint gives you the option to choose a specific color, although for a distressed look most will choose white. However, just like any paint, you will need to repaint every few years. So while paint is more economical in the short term, over time it adds more work and cost.

German Smear uses a cement-based mortar. That means i’s much more durable, resistant to the elements, and simply needs to be washed clean once or twice a year. It also helps fill voids between the bricks to help protect them and extend their lifespan even more.

Whitewash and Limewash

The main difference between German Schmear brick and Whitewashed Brick or Limewashed Brick, is the materials used. With whitewashed brick, a water-based paint, like latex paint is applied to the brick. However, it’s usually watered down so that it’s semi-translucent and some of the brick color shows through the paint.

Limewash paint is a paint made from limestone. Limestone is crushed and combined with water and other additives or colors to create the paint. Once applied, it creates a textured, almost chalky look that adds more depth than normal paint, but not as much as a German Schmear brick wall. 

If you’re planning on DIYing a limewash or German Smear on a prominent area of your home, like its brick facade, then we recommend a limewash. It’s easier to apply than German Smear and easier for DIYers to fix if you don’t get the finish quite right. 

Both of these techniques (paint or limewash) can add some depth and a touch of style to your brick fireplace or brick wall. But they still don’t quite match the German Smear finish in terms of the overall look and long-term durability.

Different German Smear Styles

There are no hard and fast rules for applying German Smear to your brick. It all depends on the look you’re going for. If you want more depth, mix the mortar with less water and apply a thicker coat.

Another thing you can try is simply filling the joints with the mortar and then wiping the wall down with a sponge while the mortar is still damp. This will provide a more whitewashed look with thick, “chunky” joints.

Since there are so many different looks that can be achieved, we always suggest you practice on an inconspicuous area before moving on to your final project.

So, are you ready to try your own German Smear project? Keep reading the next section of this German Smear guide to learn some more about how to do it yourself.

HOW TO DO THE GERMAN SMEAR TECHNIQUE

So now you’ve learned the basics of German Smear. Ready to give it a try? Keep reading for a DIY guide to your own German Smear project.

NOTE: If this is your first time doing something like this, try it out in a smaller area first. Although it’s a relatively easy technique to learn, it is PERMANENT and there’s no easy way to redo it once it’s dry. And if you have a two-story home, accessing those higher sections is impossible to do safely without the proper equipment.

That’s why a lot of people leave important parts of their homes to the experts at Alexander and Xavier Masonry. If you’re in the Dallas – Fort Worth, TX area and are interested in a German Schmear fireplace, German Schmear wall or other German Smear on brick, give us a call today to request your FREE estimate!

German Smear Rockwall | A & X Masonry

The Things You’ll Need from Your Local Home Improvement Store:

The materials you’ll need for the German Smear finish are common and available in most home improvement stores. Here’s a basic list of materials you’ll need:
  • Premixed Mortar (Make sure it’s a white cement based mortar.)
  • Several five-gallon buckets
  • Drill and mixing bit
  • Water
  • Several large sponges
  • Several large spatulas or trowels
  • Gloves and safety glasses
  • Wire brush

GENERAL STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prep

First, you need to prep your brick wall. For the mortar to adhere correctly, the brick needs to be squeaky clean. A power washer works great for this.

You can also use a hose or a bucket of water and a stiff brush to make sure it’s free of dirt, dust, and organic matter like moss.

2. Mixing the German Smear Mortar

Now it’s time to mix the dry mortar with water. Mix the mortar according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

If you want a thicker coating, add less water, and if you want a thinner coat, add a little more. Usually somewhere between peanut butter and milkshake consistency is perfect.

3. Preparing the Bricks

After mixing, splash or spray water on the brick. This will give you more time to work with the mortar before it dries. That way, you’ll have the chance to remove some mortar to be able to create the look you want.

4. Smearing

Now you’re ready for the fun part! Depending on the look you want, use the sponge, a trowel, or a paint roller to apply mortar to the wall.

After a few minutes of “smearing”, check back on the first mortar you put on the wall. It should start to get stiff. Depending on the look you’re going for, now is the time to wipe some off with a wet sponge or trowel.

How long you wait depends a lot on the look you want to achieve. It’s really an art, so there are no hard and fast rules. That’s why it’s so important that you experiment until you achieve the look you want.

…or that you hire the pros at A&X Masonry who will get it right the first time. 

The Aftermath: Beauty in every angle 2 German Smear On Red Brick | Alexander and Xavier Masonry

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What kind of mortar is used for German smear?

Although you can create your own mortar mix with sand and white cement, it’s a whole lot easier just to buy a premixed mortar. Sure it might cost a little more, but the hassle it saves you is worth it.

Do you seal a German smear?

You don’t have to seal it. Some do as an extra layer of protection, but it’s not really necessary.

How do you remove a German smear?

Once German Schmear mortar is completely dry, it is almost impossible to remove all of it. You can remove some of the mortar by scraping it off using a wire brush or a trowel. Once it’s fully cured, you may have to use muriatic acid to help remove it. Since it is so permanent, the best thing to do is to make sure you get it done right the first time.

Is German Schmear expensive?

German Schmear is comparable in price to installing vinyl siding. However, there are many factors that can affect the price such as the size of the house, decorative details around windows, and the type of finish you want. Eliminate the guesswork and give us a call today at A&X Masonry for a FREE quote!

Is German Smear bad for brick?

No. Actually German Smear is good for your brick. It helps fill in voids in the mortar joints and adds another protective layer against the elements. 

What is the difference between whitewash and German Schmear?

Whitewashing brick surfaces uses paint or limewash. German Schmear uses a cement-based mortar and adds a thicker coat with more texture.

MAINTAINING YOUR GERMAN SMEAR BRICKS

The German Schmear German Smear On Red Brick | Alexander and Xavier Masonry

One of the great things about the German Smear finish is how easy it is to take care of. Simply spray or wipe it down with water periodically to remove dust and dirt.

That’s it! Unlike paint that may need to be redone every few years, German Smear will last a long time.

Ready for your German Smear project? Call us at Alexander and Xavier Masonry today to see how much your German Smear will cost and get a free quote. (972-217-0296) We’d love to discuss ideas for your project and help you make it a reality! 

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