How to Paint a Brick Fireplace

Brick Anew January 23, 2024

There’s nothing better than finding your dream home and discovering it comes with a beautiful brick fireplace. You can already imagine how the heat of a warm, cozy fire will feel when you’re relaxing by the hearth on a chilly day.

However, most of the time, your fireplace will need a little work to get it looking just the way you want it. In this article, we’re going to go through everything you need to know how to paint a brick fireplace.

Supplies You’ll Need For Painting A Brick Fireplace

Before you start on painting your brick fireplace make sure you have the following.

Tools You Need:

Stiff Wire Brush
Vacuum Cleaner
Sponge

Cloth Or Old Towel
Paintbrush
Paint Roller

Dust Sheets (For Protection)
Safety Goggles
Gloves

Other Supplies You’ll Need:

Painter’s tape for surrounding areas
Bucket of water and old towel for quick cleanup
Fan for faster drying times (optional)
Brick-Anew Fireplace Paint Kit (includes base coat, undertone colors, and glaze)

What’s the Best Paint to Use When Painting a Brick Fireplace?

When painting a brick fireplace, using the right type of paint is essential for durability and a professional-looking finish. While many assume a basic masonry or stucco paint is the best choice, a specialized fireplace paint kit like Brick-Anew’s provides a multi-tone, natural brick appearance that standard paints cannot achieve.

Our kit includes a primer-like base coat and specialized undertone colors that mimic the depth and texture of real brick. This method results in a realistic transformation without the need for costly renovations.

Brick Fireplace Paint Kit

A versatile kit for painting brick fireplaces a fresh and modern look at economical prices

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How To Paint a Brick Fireplace: Step-By-Step

Now you have all the tools and materials in place, it’s time for us to show you how to paint a brick fireplace. Here are the 5 steps you need to go through:

Apply the Base Coat
Apply Color #1
Apply the Glaze
Apply Color #2 & #3
Touch up with Base Coat

Before You Begin: Prepping Your Brick

Proper preparation is key to ensuring the paint adheres well and lasts long. Follow these steps before painting:

Protect surrounding areas: Use painter’s tape around the fireplace edges and lay a drop cloth on the floor.
Remove loose debris: Use a small broom or shop vac to clear dust and loose mortar.
Clean the brick: Scrub the surface with a brush and mild soap. Rinse with a damp cloth and allow the brick to dry fully.

If your fireplace is previously painted:

Lightly sand glossy or oil-based finishes before applying a primer.
For flat latex paint, a light sanding may be needed if there’s a sheen.

Step 1: Apply the Base Coat

The base coat acts as the foundation of your new fireplace finish, covering the existing brick and mortar color and setting the stage for the layered undertones.

Shake the paint container before opening.
Pour some base coat paint into a tray.
Using a large brush or roller, evenly apply the base coat over all brick and mortar.
Ensure full coverage, especially in crevices.
Allow the base coat to dry before moving to the next step. A fan can help speed up the drying process.

Step 2: Apply Color #1

Once the base coat is dry, you’ll start adding undertones to create a natural brick effect.

Shake the first undertone color before use.
Pour a small amount into a paint tray.
Using a dry applicator technique (very little paint on the sponge or roller), apply the first undertone color across all bricks in a random pattern.
Allow the base coat to peek through in some areas for a realistic look.
Let dry before proceeding.

Step 3: Apply the Glaze

The glaze enhances the depth of the painted brick, giving it a more natural appearance.

Pour a small amount of glaze into a tray.
Lightly dab a sponge into the glaze, removing excess before applying.
Using a dry applicator method, apply the glaze over the bricks, allowing it to settle naturally.
Let it dry before adding the final colors.

Step 4: Apply Color #2 & #3

To further build depth and variation:

Repeat the dry applicator technique with each of the final undertone colors.
Apply these shades lightly to create a subtle, blended effect.
Avoid heavy coverage—each layer should enhance the depth rather than conceal previous work.

Step 5: Touch Up with the Base Coat

Once all colors are dry, go back with a small brush and touch up the mortar lines or any areas where too much undertone color may have spread. This final step refines the appearance and ensures a professional finish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What kind of paint do you use on a brick fireplace?

When painting your brick fireplace, you have to make sure you use paint that is appropriate for interior brick surfaces. Using the right paint will prevent unwanted occurrences like flaking or chipping. Make sure you speak to a professional about the right type of paint to use for your brick fireplace and ensure you get the right products.

Is painting a brick fireplace a good idea?

Painting a brick fireplace is a great idea if you want to upgrade your home’s interior design. It’s a great way to give the room a fresh, new look, and painting your fireplace is a great do-it-yourself project for you and the family to help out with. If you have all the right safety and protective equipment, painting your brick fireplace is a relatively easy undertaking.

What is the best color to paint a brick fireplace?

Most people think that simply painting over your bricks in any color you want will give them the desired effect. However, there are specific paints and painting techniques that work a lot better than others.

Brick Anew’s paint kits give you the same look you would get from a professional without having to fork out thousands for them to do it for you. They’re easy to use and come with a step-by-step guide on how to use them to get the most out of the kit.