How To Paint Over White Brick Fireplace

Learn everything you'll demand to know about how to paint a brick fireplace! This makeover shows but how easy it is to take a fireplace from quondam and dirty to fresh and beautiful. Check out the DIY tutorial, learn about the best fireplace paint colour and primers, and run across some stunning earlier and after photos.

Remember when I was hemming and hawing about whether to paint our fireplace white? Well, i night I just got an itch and literally inside ii days that thing was fresh as a daisy.

And in the procedure, I did a ton of inquiry on how to pigment a brick fireplace.

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Should You Paint Your Fireplace?

I accept to admit, it's not as brave every bit it sounds — nosotros knew nosotros would renovate inside a few years and remove the fireplace anyhow. So with that in mind, I knew that if I hated it we'd only accept to live with information technology for a relatively short fourth dimension.

If you're considering painting your fireplace, the starting time matter to know is that it'due south quite a project to remove the pigment if you ever tire of it.

Removing paint from a brick fireplace is an involved procedure and will have sanding, scraping, and stripping. It's not a desirable procedure, then be sure that you're ready to say adieu to the natural brick expect.

The good news is that I never once regretted painting our fireplace white! It lasted beautifully for 3 years before we remodeled.

So let's talk virtually how to paint a brick fireplace!

What To Consider

When it comes to painting an indoor brick fireplace, in that location are a few factors that come into play and will affect how successful your outcome is.

Beginning, you'll need to make sure that you use the tools that are right for your particular home.

Every bit an example, I explored using a paint spray gun to pigment our fireplace just decided in the end that considering nosotros had the tools and time to brush on the paint, I'd become that direction.

Nosotros also had brick that took pigment from a paintbrush actually well. This might not be the same in all situations. Every brick volition respond differently to paint treatments.

I recommend testing a small patch starting time with whatever method you choose, to brand sure that your outcome will be what yous're hoping for. Endeavor your test patch in an inconspicuous expanse if possible.

Choosing the Correct Paint

I knew that nosotros wanted a white brick fireplace to lighten upwards our living area, so that immediately eliminated any colour (although I accept seen some super cool colored fireplaces!).

So I was mainly concerned with picking the right white. I wanted something that was not too cool and non likewise warm, just right in the eye to create a neutral palette and complement the room.

We besides went with an eggshell end, which meant that at that place was no gloss to the pigment at all, but it was notwithstanding easy to wipe away any smudges or stains from the brick.

I wouldn't recommend whatever finish that is extreme in either direction — either super glossy or extremely flat.

We had our painted fireplace intact for virtually three years and information technology wore extremely well.

Choosing a Colour

When choosing a color to paint your fireplace, consider your space!

If your goal is to bring a more blusterous feel into the room and brighten your space, choose a white or something from a lighter color palette. Choosing a white shade also tin help a fireplace blend seamlessly into a white wall.

On the other manus, if your infinite needs a substantial focal point, a bolder colour would piece of work well to make your brick fireplace stand out. A darker shade tin besides create a feeling of existence grounded in any infinite that needs a touch of something heavier.

If you have painted walls, consider a shade of paint that'due south just slightly darker or lighter than your wall color to create a monochromatic expect.

Painted Fireplace Before and AFter

I love a good before and subsequently, and so here are our photos! One time nosotros figured out how to paint a brick fireplace, we were and so thrilled with the results.

Just check out that before and after!

Our domicile was congenital in the mid-1950's, and the fireplace was original to the habitation. There were decades of soot, dirt, and just general gunk on the face of the brick.

But with a little fourth dimension and piece of work, painting a brick fireplace tin can totally change the look of your infinite just similar information technology did ours.

Supplies Yous'll Demand

Come across our materials list below for the verbal paint we used!

Materials

an ugly old brick fireplace
cleaning materials (strong-bristled castor, bucket, dish soap, sponges, rags, etc)
wide painter's tape
bristle paintbrushes (we used a 3″ apartment castor and a 2″ angled brush)
Zinsser Bullseye Primer OR a paint formulated for masonry like this one
an interior paint in your preferred finish (nosotros used Behr'south Polar Bear #75 in an eggshell cease)
dropcloths

How to Paint a Brick Fireplace

Project Time: ten Hours (Plus Drying Time)

Yous've gotta clean that thing. Ours had near 60 years of soot on the front, along with some marker drawings from the little daughter who lived hither earlier we did. And then get some warm soapy water and a brush and castor off all the clay and grime that you can. Soak up excess water and gunk with a sponge and let it all dry out completely. Notation: Don't skimp on Step 1! The cleaner you tin get your surface, the better it volition accept the paint. Also, exist certain you wait for it to completely dry; I recommend letting it sit down overnight.
Use painter's tape to mask any areas you desire unpainted.. Use the wide painter's tape to mask the edges past the walls, the floor or rug, and the mantel (if you have one). Lay down dropcloths too.
Prime number it. Nosotros tried two different types of primers and I concluded up liking the Zinsser Bullseye better than the masonry paint. This is especially crucial if your brick is stained in whatever way, because the primer traps all of those stains and won't let them seep through to the paint layers. Note: Nosotros tried rollers for applying primer, but on our brick, they didn't piece of work well. Feel free to test your own methods according to the porosity and setting of your brickwork. Yous can also try the spray method, but I didn't desire to invest in spraying supplies and nosotros weren't able to ventilate this item room well enough to warrant spraying.
To prime, exist certain that you get primer on every unmarried nook and cranny! You lot really want to prime number and seal every area for a successful and long-lasting paint job.
Prime again. I hate to tell you, but I did 2 coats of primer.
Add a glaze of your regular paint. You'll almost likely cease upward doing ii coats of regular paint to get full coverage, and to get a little more sheen from the eggshell finish to prove. The primer is quite flat, and if it peeks through your pigment you lot'll definitely discover the difference.
Once y'all're done with two coats of your paint, stand up back and assess. If you need a final coat, go for information technology.
Once it'due south all dry, carefully pull away all the painter's tape and jump for joy that yous did it! You might besides want to hire someone to requite you a mitt massage because your hands are cramped from holding a paintbrush for the terminal two days.

Bonus Tips for Painting a Brick Fireplace!

Now. A couple more tips. Did you know that in the heart of a pigment project y'all don't have to go along washing out your brushes when you're taking a break?

Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and stick them in the fridge. They'll stay wet and yous can just pick them up and keep going!

Also, actually make sure you let your brick dry before you sit/stand up on it, build a burn, or decorate. You desire to brand sure it fully cures.

I painted during the winter months and I really brought in a couple of infinite heaters to warm the room and help the pigment cure.

And there y'all take it! All my words of wisdom. Lesser line, painting a brick fireplace white is a lengthly process but and so worth it if you're looking to brighten up your space.

Information technology can be an extremely price-effective manner to go a major wow gene in your home! Give it a attempt and rate our DIY tutorial below! xoxo

More Ideas for Your Abode

P.S. Want some more fun painting and decor ideas?

Painting Color-Blocked Walls
How to Pigment Over Rusted Metal
DIY Diagonal Painted Accent Wall
The Studio Bathroom (and Sources!)
Room Reveal // Main Sleeping accommodation
Room Reveal // New Master Bathroom

You tin also check out this daughter'due south room and this boy'due south room! Finally, you can print our our simple how-to card below with instructions if yous're planning a fireplace pigment project!

Instructions

Start by cleaning your brick extremely well. Ours had about 60 years of soot on the front end, along with some marker drawings from the little girl who lived here before we did. So become some warm soapy water and a brush and brush off all the clay and grime that you can. Soak up backlog water and gunk with a sponge and allow it all dry completely. Note: Don't skimp on Stride one! The cleaner yous can go your surface, the meliorate it will accept the paint. As well, exist sure yous look for it to completely dry; I recommend letting information technology sit overnight.
Apply painter's tape to mask any areas you lot desire unpainted.. Apply the wide painter'southward tape to mask the edges past the walls, the floor or carpet, and the mantel (if you have one). Lay downwardly dropcloths besides.
Prime number it. We tried ii different types of primers and I ended up liking the Zinsser Bullseye improve than the masonry pigment. This is especially crucial if your brick is stained in any way, considering the primer traps all of those stains and won't let them seep through to the paint layers. Note: We tried rollers for applying primer, but on our brick, they didn't work well. Feel costless to examination your own methods according to the porosity and setting of your brickwork. You can also effort the spray method, but I didn't want to invest in spraying supplies and we weren't able to ventilate this particular room well enough to warrant spraying.
To prime, be sure that you lot get primer on every single nook and cranny! You really want to prime number and seal every surface area for a successful and long-lasting paint task.
Prime once again. I hate to tell you, but I did ii coats of primer.
Add a coat of your regular paint. Y'all'll near likely terminate up doing two coats of regular paint to go total coverage, and to get a little more sheen from the eggshell finish to bear witness. The primer is quite flat, and if it peeks through your paint you'll definitely notice the departure.
Once you're done with 2 coats of your paint, stand back and assess. If you need a final coat, go for information technology.
In one case it's all dry, carefully pull away all the painter's record and leap for joy that you did it!

Notes

When choosing a color to paint your fireplace, consider your infinite!

If your goal is to bring a more blusterous feel into the room and brighten your space, choose a white or something from a lighter colour palette. Choosing a white shade too tin assist a fireplace blend seamlessly into a white wall.

On the other paw, if your space needs a substantial focal point, a bolder colour would work well to make your brick fireplace stand up out. A darker shade tin also create a feeling of being grounded in any space that needs a touch of something heavier.

If you have painted walls, consider a shade of paint that's just slightly darker or lighter than your wall color to create a monochromatic look.

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