Brick fireplaces are architectural focal points in our homes that stand the test of time. Unfortunately, they don’t necessarily remain up-to- date and therefore sometimes need to be modernized.
Luckily, the processing of painting a brick fireplace white or any other color is easy to do and even those of us new to DIY should be able to accomplish this task with stellar results.
In this article, I’ll go over the tools required, why you would want to paint a fireplace, cleaning and priming a brick fireplace and finally painting it. Like I mentioned already, this process is easy so let’s waste no time and jump right in to completing the task at hand…
Why Paint a Brick Fireplace? (Should You?)
I already touched on the fact that painting a fireplace is a way to modernize it. Up until about 1990, a brick fireplace in all its stone rawness was a wonderful sight to behold.
If you live in a home with a brick fireplace, it probably doesn’t quite fit in with your decor and newly updated home finishings. Painting it will bring it up to par. Painting it white can instantly brighten up a dull and drab room.
If you’re planning on selling your home this quick and easy upgrade might be the difference in someone presenting you with an offer or not.
Remember that painting a brick fireplace white permanently changes the color of the fireplace. So, make sure it’s something that you really want to do.
It’s also extremely hard to remove paint from brick, especially when it’s inside your home. Chances are you won’t want to run a high-pressure washer in your house.
I mentioned that painting a fireplace is a way to modernize it. Sometimes you just shouldn’t do this because of the age of a home. The brick might look great with the flooring and the high baseboards and moldings. So, before you commit to painting, make sure its the fireplace that needs painting and not something else.
Chances are however, if you do paint it, you’ll always love the way it looks. White paint looks great with everything.
Tools and Supplies Needed to Paint a Brick Fireplace:
Depending on your specific fireplace, you might not need all these items however, having them on hand (just in case) is the best plan.
Here are items you’ll require to complete this job with a brief description of why.
- Paint brush. You’ll find using a thick paint brush more important than your roller. A brush will be able to get into the mortar lines much easier as well as the deeper crevices in the brick.
- Paint roller with thick nap. Using a paint roller is a no-brainer. Rolling the paint onto the brick will be quicker and easier than painting each-and-every brick with a brush. The brush will then be used to clean up excess drips of paint and as already mentioned, hit the mortar lines and deeper crevices of brick.
- Roller extension pole. A roller extension pole is helpful when the brick extends up the wall higher than you can reach with just the roller itself.
- Drop cloth. A drop cloth might not be needed but is a great idea to lay down as you don’t want even one drop of paint hitting the floor. Make sure you use a real painter’s drop cloth and not plastic as plastic can be slippery.
- Painter’s tape. Painter’s tape is used to mask off where the fireplace brick meets the painted wall. If you have a mantle that you’re not painting, it can also be taped off. If you have a hard wood or laminate type flooring, you can even tape down your drop cloth to prevent slipping.
- Rags/Bucket/Warm water. These supplies will be useful for cleanups. Accidents do and will happen.
- Hard bristle brush (possibly wire). You’ll need a hard bristled brush to clean the brick and mortar. It doesn’t have to be wire but that is what I’d recommend you use.
- Degreaser or trisodium phosphate. If your brick is showing any amounts of soot, you should use a degreaser or trisodium phosphate to clean it off. If you don’t, you risk the paint not adhering very well.
- Vacuum. A vacuum might not be needed if you don’t need to use a brush on the brick. It’s always good to have one handy, just in case. I always clean as I go with any project like this. It helps to lessen the chances of accidents and errors happening.
- Primer/Paint able to adhere to brick. A masonry paint or primer is recommended for the first coat. Subsequent coats can be any acrylic indoor paint.
- Safety goggles/gloves. Should go without saying that protecting your eyes is important. It’s also a great idea to get some latex gloves to wear when painting.
- Step stool or ladder. If the brick goes higher than 5′ to 6″, then having a step stool or ladder available will only help you get the job done.
- Paint sprayer. This would be for the more experienced DIYers. A paint sprayer would be great to use, especially if you don’t have to worry about over spray on the walls. A sprayer will also get all the paint in every nook and cranny.
- Paint trays. Have a couple on hand. They can be cleaned (dried) and reused.
That is about all you’ll need, aside from a flat head screwdriver to open your paint can (or paint can opener) and a paint stick to stir it.
How to Clean Your Brick Fireplace Before Painting
Before starting the actual painting process, you need to clean the brick surface so that the paint adheres properly. If you skip this step, you run the risk of the paint pealing.
Because of the tendency for bricks to collect grime, you should wet and scrub the brick fireplace before painting it to ensure better adhesion of the paint. Wear your safety goggles when scrubbing rough surfaces such as fireplace brick as small pieces could easily fly out and hit you in the eye.
- First, use a stiff-bristled brush soaked in soapy water to clean the face of the brick wall.
- If you have soot on the bricks and mortar of your fireplace, mix one half cup (120 ml) of trisodium phosphate with one gallon (4 liters) of water. scrub as needed.
- Next, clean up any visible mildew by using a solution of one part household bleach to three parts water (1:3). After diluting the bleach, sponge it onto the bricks, let it sit for half an hour, then scrub them with a wire brush.
- After you’ve cleaned the brick, let it dry for at least 24 hours before painting.
While you’re waiting for the bricks and mortar to dry from cleaning, its the perfect time to inspect the fireplace for cracks in the brick.
If you find any, they can be filled with some acrylic caulk – just make sure it’s paintable caulking. The caulking will be dry by the time you’re ready to paint.
Do You have to Prime a Brick Fireplace Before Painting?
Before we learn how to paint a fireplace, you should know if you need to prime it or not.
Yes, you’ll need to use a primer specifically designed for concrete and brick surfaces (masonry primer) before applying regular house paint.
If you don’t prime, you’ll end up with a fireplace that starts to peal in the near future. When painting brick, you’ll find you use more paint than on a drywall wall.
How to Paint a Brick Fireplace White
To paint any surface correctly, you must prep the area, prime the area then finally use a finish coat (or coats) to complete the project. Each step is simple however, it’s good practice to go over each one below to ensure you’re doing what’s necessary to have the best finish product possible.
Prep
If you already cleaned the brick and mortar, then next you’ll want to protect any areas joining the fireplace such as walls, floors, ceilings, mantels, and hearths.
First, I’d recommend covering the areas around the fireplace with painter’s tape so that you don’t accidentally paint them. Butt the tape up to the fireplace on the walls, floors, and ceiling.
If the ceiling is the old popcorn style, then applying tape might not work. In this case, you’ll have to be extra careful not to roll right up to the ceiling. Use a brush where the fireplace joins to the ceiling.
To protect the floor around the fireplace and the fireplace hearth from paint, use a drop cloth to protect the areas, if you’re able to tape the drop cloth down. You might need to use a stronger tape than painters’ tape to accomplish this.
If you have a mantel that isn’t being painted, then consider covering the mantel with painters’ paper, newspaper, etc. by taping it on.
Primer
I realize you can purchase paint that has primer in it already. I highly recommend when painting a brick fireplace that you consider using a masonry primer and then a finish coat for optimal results. With your fireplace cleaned and prepped, now it’s time to prime.
First, paint over any grout lines or outer edges of the bricks where your paint roller cannot reach; then, paint over any gaps between the bricks. After the grout lines and brick edges are painted, take a roller (with a thick nap) designed for rough surfaces and roll over the entire brick surface.
Just an FYI, masonry primer is usually very thick and extremely sticky, so be sure to have some mineral spirits handy so you can quickly wipe up any spills and mistakes.
Depending on how porous the surface is, you may need to apply a second or third coat (probably only 2 coats).
Watch out for paint that runs and forms drip marks. brush or roll those off right away.
Let your primer coat cure for at least 24 hours before applying the finish coats.
When you can’t see the color of the brick anymore, you’re ready for the first coat of paint.
Oh, if you’re considering this. You wouldn’t be the first person to be tempted to leave the exposed primer as the finished coat. That would be a mistake, here’s why.
Primer paint is used to provide a bond between a porous surface and a topcoat. The topcoat then acts as both a surface protection and an aesthetic finish, and without the topcoat, your primer is likely going to deteriorate quickly (start yellowing or fade).
Finish Coat
Now that we got that out of the way, your closer to being finished than you think.
Painting your fireplace is super easy. In fact, since you finished priming your already a pro.
After waiting 24 hours for the primer to dry, you can now apply the finish coats.
After your primer has dried completely, you’ll want to apply at least one coat of interior acrylic white paint to your fireplace. It’s good to note that your fireplace is likely going to be subjected to room traffic and temperature shifts, so it’s important to choose a durable finish that doesn’t yellow and that’s easily cleaned. Make sure to ask for this type of paint when purchasing.
PRO TIP: Purchase a paint with a matte finish as it will complement the texture of the bricks.
Now it’s time to paint. As before, start by brushing in your grout lines and brick edges, and then finish off the remaining areas of the brick with a thick nap roller. Watch out for paint drips and either brush or roll them away.
Applying one or two coats will be up to you. If you went the extra mile and ensured the brick wasn’t visible after priming, then you won’t require as much finish coat. If you question the look of the paint, then you need another coat.
Wait the recommended timeframe between each coat of paint. This can be found on the paint can.
If you notice any spots that need to be touched up, you can most likely just use the brush.
Once you’ve finished and the paint has had some time to dry, remove the painter’s tape and drop cloths carefully. Be mindful you don’t ruin the newly painted edges.
If you see paint on walls and floors, just wipe it off using a clean cloth dampened with warm water – assuming you used acrylic paint. If you used an oil base, you’ll need mineral spirits to clean off paint splatters.
Now that your done, the next thing to do is load up the fireplace and enjoy a nice fire by your updated paint job.
What is the Best Temperature for Interior Painting?
The best temperature for painting indoors is between 50 Fahrenheit and 90 Fahrenheit. If you use Celsius, it’s 10 to 30 Celsius you want when painting indoors. Keep that in mind when painting your fireplace.
Best Primer for Painting Brick Fireplace
The best primer for painting a brick fireplace is a masonry primer. Make sure the can states that acrylic paint will adhere to it. As far as brands go, you should invest in the best quality paint available in your area.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, painting brick isn’t all that different than giving drywall a good paint job. If you’re not worried about over spray, you could paint using a paint sprayer. Painting fireplace brick using a sprayer is much easier, but it does take a certain amount of practice and expertise.
Just follow the steps I’ve provided above and you shouldn’t have any issues with this job. Good luck.
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