Decorating Home Features Fireplaces How to Paint a Brick Fireplace for an Updated Modern Look Create a stunning room transformation in just one weekend with our step-by-step guide to freshening up your brick fireplace with paint. By Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on November 30, 2023 Project Overview Working Time: 4 hours Total Time: 1 day Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $30 to $80 The next time you've got a free weekend, learn how to paint a brick fireplace surround for a dramatic new look. Since a fireplace is often a focal point, painting it to work with your design style and color palette will add to its impact. A whitewashed brick fireplace is a classic choice, but a black-painted fireplace adds drama. The method for how to paint a brick fireplace takes a little prep work, a few tools, and brick fireplace paint, which will be rated for high temperatures and designed for brick surfaces. Before you start painting, inspect your fireplace surround to determine its material. Although you can paint over a wide variety of surfaces, some stone fireplaces (limestone, sandstone, and river rock, for example) are more challenging to change after you paint them. A brick surround is the best bet for painting. Then follow these steps on how to paint a brick fireplace. Stacey Brandford What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Wire scrub brush Rubber gloves Safety goggles Drop cloths Paint roller for textured surfaces Small paintbrush Materials Non-sudsy trisodium phosphate, also known as TSP Fireplace cleaner Painters tape Oil-base primer Indoor latex paint Instructions How to Paint a Brick Fireplace Clean the Fireplace Surface You'll need to thoroughly clean the brick to ensure your paint adheres and dries properly. First, cover your floor with a drop cloth and tape off any areas you want to keep paint-free. Use a wire scrub brush to remove dirt and dust, and vacuum up any debris. Next, apply non-sudsy trisodium phosphate (also called TSP). Wear gloves and safety goggles, and clean the fireplace thoroughly with soapy water or a fireplace cleaning product. Rinse and let dry. How to Clean and Maintain a Wood-Burning Fireplace Prime the Brick A stain-blocking, oil-based primer protects your paint against future soot stains from fireplace use. Start with a small, stiff-bristled brush to get the primer inside the crevices along the mortar lines. Next, use a paint roller to apply the primer evenly across the entire surface of the brick fireplace, following the paint manufacturer's directions. Because brick is porous, it may require a second coat of primer. Let the primer dry overnight. Oil-Based Paint vs. Water-Based Paint: What's the Difference? Paint the Brick Once the primer is dry, it's time to paint your brick fireplace. Choose fireplace paint—indoor, latex, heat-resistant paint (either flat, semigloss, or gloss) that's rated to withstand temperatures generated by the fireplace (generally about 200°F). Remember that this type of paint is only appropriate for the exterior of a brick fireplace, not the interior firebox. If you want to paint the firebox, you'll need a different heat-resistant paint meant for that task. Add Finishing Touches Use a small paintbrush to touch up any blemishes or missed spots. Finally, remove painters tape and the drop cloth, and use a damp cloth to wipe up any splatters. Paint Tips and Guidelines How to Open a Paint Can How to Dispose of Paint the Right Way What are Zero-VOC Paints, and Which Paint Brands Sell Them? How Long Does Paint Last? 6 Signs It's Time to Toss How to Remove Paint from Wood Without Damaging the Surface Frequently Asked Questions Can you paint an already painted brick fireplace? Yes, make sure to clean the brick and prime it before repainting the fireplace with a latex heat-resistant paint. Do you need to seal a brick fireplace after painting it? Sealing a painted brick fireplace is not absolutely necessary, but it's a good idea. Adding a sealer prevents damage from moisture absorbed from cleaning, humidity, or dampness, which can cause the brick to crumble over time.