Latex paint is relatively inexpensive and hides stains well.
High-heat paint is not necessary.
Latex house paint hides discoloration in the brick since the paint remains opaque.
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House paint provides a wide range of color choices and is easy to clean.
Latex paint traps internal moisture in brick.
If this is the case, consider using limewash.
With its flat, velvety texture,chalk finish paintis often used onfurnitureto give it anantique look.
When applied to a brick fireplace, chalk finish paint continues that silky feeling.
Most chalk finish paint colors are in the pastel or neutral range.
Apply chalk finish paint on top of a primer for a solid, opaque coat.
Or, dilute the chalk finish paint with water for a more subdued look.
Usepainter’s tapeto hold the edges of the sheeting to the floor.
Brush Clean the Mortar and Brick
Brush the mortar with the wire brush to remove loose mortar.
Repair Damaged Brick
Repair the brickwhen you discover cracks in the brick or missing mortar.
Fix cracks in the brick withcrack filleror with painter’s caulk.
Replace missing mortar bytuckpointing the brick.
Fix a severely damaged brick by removing all of the material andreplacing the brick.
Clean Off the Soot
Clean the sootfrom the brick before cleaning the rest of the fireplace.
Change out the water and the sponges when they become dirty.
TSP is not available everywhere due to local bans on phosphates.
Choose a phosphate-free (TSP-PF) cleaner or mix dishwashing liquid containing a degreaser with warm water.
Clean the Fireplace Bricks
Clean the fireplace bricksby thoroughly vacuuming out the mortar joints.
Clean the overall brick surface with trisodium phosphate dissolved in warm water.
Let the brick dry completely before painting.
Thoroughly cleaning the brick helps the paint stick better and reduces discoloration from showing through the paint.
Be sure to force the brush into the mortar joint.
Important
Do not use a primer if you are applying limewash or for diluted chalk paint.
Only use a primer if using latex paint or a solid chalk finish paint.
Roll the Fireplace With Primer
Use the 1-1/4-inch roller to roll paint primer across the brick fireplace.
This overly thick roller cover can fill in most mortar joints.
Resist the temptation to squeeze the roller against the brick.
Instead, keep the pressure light.
Work from the top-down.
Keep an eye out for drips.
Roll or brush out drips immediately.
Paint the Mortar Joints With the Brush
Finish by painting uncoated mortar joints with the brush.
Remove the Tape
When the paint is dry to the touch, remove the painter’s tape.
Pull the tape off at a 45-degree angle.
Call a professional painter for these situations.
Interior latex paint can be used to paint fireplace brick to create a continuous, opaque color coat.
Painting also works if the bricks are in such poor condition that cracks and gouges must be repaired.
The paint will cover the patches.
Yes, a brick fireplace can be painted.
A brick fireplace should be primed before painting.
Priming the brick seals the brick’s pores, so that the color coat is consistent and smooth.
Proper Tape Removal.ScotchBlue / 3M Corporation
