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Yes, you can do German schmear on stone. You can account for the more textured and rough surface of stone by using a large paintbrush instead of a putty knife. A brush allows you to drag mortar across the stone to get it into all the cracks and crevices. However, a brush will cover more of the surface, so you may need a wet sponge to scrub excess mortar and expose more of your stone.

Yes, it is usually possible to repair a damaged brick mailbox. A professional brick mason or masonry contractor can perform the repairs. They can assess the damage, provide an estimate, and help you determine if the repair is worthwhile based on the mailbox's value and the extent of the damage. The repair process may involve sourcing replacement bricks and mortar. Damaged bricks can be cut out and replaced, or the mortar joints can be cut out and retucked. It's important to note that the new mortar may differ in color from the original. If the mailbox insert itself is damaged, it can typically be cut out and replaced as well. If your brick mailbox has been completely destroyed, you should check with your local building code enforcement office before rebuilding, as some areas do not allow brick mailboxes due to the potential hazard they pose to drivers.

A chimney cleaning brick or log can help loosen creosote between professional chimney cleaning appointments. Although they can help keep your chimney cleaner, they are not a substitute for chimney sweeping and are not meant to be used regularly.

When painting brick, each application method has pros and cons. Spraying is much faster but may not penetrate the porous surface of the bricks. Rolling is effective for getting paint into the bricks but doesn't work as well on the mortar. Brushing is very time-consuming and also won't penetrate beyond the surface. For the best results, a combination of spraying and rolling is often recommended. If you use a roller, choose a thick option (at least a half-inch) and ensure the paint gets into all the crevices for even coverage.