Painting Brick Fireplace Facade

[SusanM]

I just joined in since I am undertaking cleaning and painting my fireplace while my husband is out of town. I went to Home Depot and they recommended cleaning the soot with a biodgradable cleaner called Simple Green. A little smelly but cleans really well. I used a wire brush to scrape away the tougher parts. You spray it on full strength, then scrub with the wire brush and then rinse with water. Wait 10 min. between applications and do this about 3 times. To back up, I prepped the area by shoveling the ash out and then vaccumming with a shop vac the rest of the loose soot - the walls and floor area. Now I'm ready to begin painting. I was advised that I could paint directly on the brick or prepare the surface with a good latex primer like Zinzer. Then use any paint you cbose - flat or gloss. I was planning to use the same paint as I did on the wood trim and mantle (the glossy paint will clean better). I was only going to paint the front facing and the brick on the floor in front of the fireplace. I don't think I'll paint the red brick along the inside from framing of the fireplace due to heat from the fire. I was told that if the brick does not get beyond 200 degrees, then you really do not need to use a masonry paint. Any other suggestions? I'm planning on tackling the painting tomorrow.

[michelleandtim]

I found this forum while I was searching the internet for ideas about what to do with our fireplace. We own an old home and the real fireplace has been closed off and covered with a fake brick fireplace. One of the previous owners painted the fake brick an off white color. We would like to paint this fake brick a more authentic brick red or burgundy. We just aren't sure how to go about choosing a technique that will make it look more authentic. Does anyone have any suggestions. I am sending a picture of what it currently looks like.



Michelle

[Todd]

You may want to do a faux finish with red, brown and maybe black. Whatever you feel like. It is best to practice on something and get the technique you like best. Behr makes nice faux finish paints.

T

[maestraw]

Michelle,

I really like your white fireplace brick, but wish you luck in the color change. The dark brick we have detracts from the lightness of our family room, so I will be painting it following the advice of this forum. Happy rennovating!

-Mo

Mo and Dave

[Barbara]

Hello everyone,
I just started searching the web to learn more about painting my brick fireplace. I have a brick fireplace that is painted off-white. I would like to change the color. Besides cleaning it prior to priming it, do I need to sand the existing paint.

Barbara

[Troy]

Welcome to the forum!

You shouldn't have to sand too much. Just make sure you remove all the loose paint. If the existing paint is very smooth, then you might want to rough it up a bit.

[aperszyk]

Any thoughts about how long the brick has to dry after washing it? Do you really need to wash it or could it just take a good brush and vacuum? It hardly ever gets used.

Thanks!

[robinmm01]

quote:Originally posted by amy

We want to paint two brick walls in our living room an off-white color with the same effect as your fireplace. Did you use a brush, roller, or spray it on? I assume you did not use sealer like other people suggest, just the primer. Did you clean the brick first? This is an old home we are remolding and the brick is very dusty. Should we vaccuum it? Thanks for your help....we love your fireplace!

Did you ever complete this project and if so may we see some photos[?]

I can do anything I put my mind to!

[robinmm01]

quote:Originally posted by michelleandtim

I found this forum while I was searching the internet for ideas about what to do with our fireplace. We own an old home and the real fireplace has been closed off and covered with a fake brick fireplace. One of the previous owners painted the fake brick an off white color. We would like to paint this fake brick a more authentic brick red or burgundy. We just aren't sure how to go about choosing a technique that will make it look more authentic. Does anyone have any suggestions. I am sending a picture of what it currently looks like.



Michelle

So what did you do? More photos needed on this site. All this talk and no photos

I can do anything I put my mind to!

[June]

Hello
Talk about different strokes (paint strokes) for different folks.
I "hate" the "real brick" fireplace in this small house we moved into last year - a former cottage; therefore,I envy you having an already-painted white fireplace - it looks great! I also find this dark brick really darkens the living room - will send photos when I figure out how to do so.... I find it looks like Santa's chimney and would look better on the roof, ha ha. Bye for now, June.

[no1dobe]

I surfed all over the web and couldn't find any really good info about painting my fireplace. After reading the posts here I decided to do it. The fireplace was so ugly really anything would of been an improvement. I have gotten rave comments by anyone who has seen it.


Check out the steps I took to get the finished front...

<center>http://www.geocities.com/jakubikonce/fire.html</center>

[katimae]

I've got a poser for you all! We have a small den that used to be the garage. One wall is brick, I guess it used to be the exterior wall of the house. The other three walls are dark paneling. I want to lighten this room desperately. I think I can handle painting the paneling - but should I really attempt to paint this brick wall? I'm worried it would be a mistake, and we would be unable to undo. But if I lighten the paneling - and have this dark red brick wall - I'm afraid it will look horrible. Any suggestions?

[Jimmer]

Kate,

Another option for you to brighten the brick wall is to cover it with drywall. You would need to:

- remove any baseboard and crown moldings
- use construction adhesive and screws appropriate for mortar to attach the sheets to the wall.
- cut out any electrical box (switches, outlets) and install box extenders. (see below)
- crackfill and paint
- re-apply trim



Good luck, Jim


'Just a handyman trying to help'

[dayindelft]

Hello,
We have a dark brick fireplace in our older home. The fireplace looks like it was either installed or refaced in the 70s - new, dark brick with black mortar (same size and shape as June's fireplace below, only our brick & mortar are even darker). It has a small white painted mantel and eventually I want to get a larger mantel (white woodwork) to cover most of the brick. Therefore, I don't want to completely paint over the brick, just age it a bit to go with the rest of the house. Any suggestions as to how to "antique" brick (and lighten the black mortar)?
Thanks.

[invweb_cb]

I have 2 exterior panels of brick that i would love to paint-faux finish kinda like a rag roll any suggestions?? I saw it done on a house and it was beautiful.