How To Paint A Red Brick Fireplace White
This fireplace makeover is a real show-stopper. If you are questioning painting your brick then this post is for you! Gain inspiration from the amazing before and after pictures of red brick getting painted white.
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Before Fireplace
Our simple fireplace update of painting the mantel and updating the cover was a great and easy weekend DIY project. I was I could say that this brick fireplace makeover was our DIY project, however, our family members are DIY nuts like us, too!
My sister-in-law really worked wonders on her entire fireplace brick. It honestly looks like a brand new fireplace.
What Paint Do You Use?
She did an amazing job painting her fireplace to give her whole living room a brand-new feel. She used Benjamin Moore ArborCoat White Solid Stain and highly recommends it to anyone who is debating about giving their fireplace a DIY makeover.
The reason that the ArborCoat worked for her was that her brick was porous and was able to soak in the paint.
As always, we recommend going to local paint stores with actual photos of your project before starting.
Other Paints To Consider
- Giani Brick Transformations Whitewash Paint for Brick and Fireplaces: We have read great reviews that have helped people update their fireplaces.
- Loxon Masonry Paint From Sherwin Williams: When researching for the paint to help whitewash a brick fireplace we found this product that has a primer built-in. It was perfect for diluting for whitewashing. I am sure it would be great to use just for a regular coat of paint.
Recommended Painting Supplies
- Masonry Paint
- Small Wire Brush
- Cleaning Rag
- Cups or Large Paint Cups With Measurements
- Dawn Dish Soap and Water or TSP
- Old Paint Brushes
- Old Cut Up T-Shirts-to wipe any drips
- Painter’s Tape
- Drop Cloth
- Optional: Other plastic coverings or paper
How To Paint Brick Fireplace White
Before any painting project, it is always a good idea to start with a clean slate. You never know how much soot and grime is on the brick.
- Making sure the brick surfaces are clean and as soot and dust-free as possible
- Use painter’s tape and drop cloths to cover anything that you do not want to get paint splatter on such as a mantel, surrounding shelves and walls
How To Prep Your Brick
Step 1: Clean With A Wire Brush
Fireplaces can accumulate a lot of dirt and grim on them. Using a small wire brush is a great way to knock loose dirt off the entire brick surface.
Don’t worry about getting every piece for dirt and soot. Just make sure you are knocking any really loose parts. You may also need to repair any mortar before starting.
Step 2: Vacuum Up Dust and Soot
Use a shop vac to clean up your dirty mess.
Step 3: Wipe Down The Brick
You can use TSP clean on a rag or soapy water. You can see how dirty the brick was after wiping it down with just Dawn dish soap and water.
Step 4: Let the brick fully dry before painting.
Step 5: Paint Mortar Joints First
Use a brush to paint mortar or grout lines first. You can then use a roller or just a brush to continue painting the bricks.
Step 6: Continue Working In Small Sections
Keep painting until you have covered the whole fireplace surround. Look at the surface of the brick from multiple angles.
Step 7: Add 2-3 Coats Of Paint To Get A Solid Color
Let the layer of paint dry completely before painting your second coat. This old brick really soaked in the paint so by the time she was finished with the first coat she could go back and start the second.
Before and After Brick Fireplace Painting
You can see how this dated brick fireplace was given a completely modern look with just a little paint. It really brightens this room for a modern farmhouse feel and dramatic statement.
They later added a reclaimed wood fireplace mantel to finish their budget-friendly fireplace makeover.
Tips For Painting Red Brick Fireplace
- Paint In Layers: The biggest factor that my sister-in-law said to consider was that you must apply this paint in layers and be patient. She was nervous to paint at first but just went with it.
- Her finished painted fireplace took around 3 layers of paint.
- Brush Mortar Lines First
- You can use a brush and/or roller after. She chose to just use a brunch the whole time when painting.
Tutorial FAQs
If you plan on using your fireplace then you need to use special heat-rated paint for the inside. As you can see, the inside of the fireplace was not painted here.
If we were doing this DIY painting project today, we would use the Loxon Masonry paint from Sherwin Williams. My sister-in-law was very happy with her paint choice. However, we think the best paint is one that is meant for masonry surfaces.
This fireplace was done over three years ago and looks exactly the same as it did when it was first started. You should note that they rarely use the fireplace.
The good news is that you can tint some masonry primer and paints. You can choose your fireplace color to fit your style.
We would not recommend using regular paint to paint your brick. While we have seen some DIY projects go well, we will still use paint meant for masonry rough surfaces.
Related Painting DIYs
- How To Paint Tile In Your Kitchen
- How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets White
- Easy Cabinet Door Painting Tutorial
- How To Paint An Oak Stair Railing
- How To Paint Bathroom Cabinets
Now if only I can figure out how to do this to our stone, I will really have created an awesome living room update with a fireplace makeover.
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How To Paint A Brick Fireplace White
Equipment
- Cleaning Rag
- Old Paint Brushes
- Old Cut Up T-Shirts-to wipe any drips
- Drop Cloths
Supplies
- Masonry Paint
- Dawn Dish Soap and Water or TSP
- Painter’s Tape
Instructions
Clean and Prep Brick
- Tape out areas and add drop cloths where you do not want paint and soot.
- Use a small wire brush to clean soot and grim.
- Vacuum loose particles with a Shop Vac.
- Wipe down brick with dish soap and water or TSP.
- Let brick fully dry.
- Paint mortar or grout lines first in one section of the fireplace.
- Continue painting first coat of paint on the brick. Keep checking for drips as you are working.
- Let the paint dry.
- Work to paint 2-3 coats of paint.
Notes
- Make sure to fully cover areas you do not want to get paint on. Brush spray will happen due to the texture of the brick.
- You can paint with just a brush or use a brush on the mortar lines and a roller for the flat surfaces of the brick.
- Take your time and paint in layers for the best results.
- Old brushes will work for this project due to the fact that they may get ruined on the texture of the brick.
As I read your article I found myself returning to my former days of teaching. I used task analysis on a daily basis. You were clear, thorough, and descriptive.
We recently bought a 60 yo house whose brick fireplace required extensive repair to the front as well as the firebox. Unfortunately the brick and mortar just don’t quite match. My answer is DIY whitewashing or painting. I can now look forward to a successful project, thanks.
Hi Donna. Thanks for the kind words. I am a former teacher so this is a big compliment to me!