How to Paint a Brick Fireplace

Fireplaces are the natural gravity of a living room, but aging, porous brick often darkens a space and collects impossible-to-clean soot. Painting brick is an irreversible commitment that trades raw texture for a clean, modern aesthetic, but it is a project that hinges entirely on the quality of your preparation. Done well, the paint fills the deep mortar joints and binds to the masonry for a finish that looks like it has always been there. Success here isn't about the speed of your brush strokes; it's about the cleanliness of the surface. If you paint over dust or soot, the paint will flake away within the year. We are looking for a matte or eggshell finish that breathes with the brick and withstands the radiant heat generated during the winter months. Take the time to scrub, seal, and prime correctly, and your fireplace will anchor the room for years to come.

  1. Scrub Away Decades of Grime. Use a stiff-bristled wire brush and a solution of warm water and heavy-duty degreaser to scrub every inch of the brick and mortar. This removes decades of soot, dust, and grime that prevent paint adhesion.
  2. Seal Off Everything Around. Lay down heavy-duty drop cloths over the hearth and floor, then use painter's tape to seal off the mantel, insert, and nearby walls. Ensure the tape is pressed firmly against the brick edges to prevent bleed-through.
  3. Level Out Crumbling Joints. Inspect the mortar for gaps or crumbling sections and patch them with paintable, heat-resistant masonry caulk. Smooth the caulk with a damp cloth so it mimics the texture of the surrounding mortar.
  4. Prime Deep Into Pores. Use a thick-nap roller or a masonry brush to apply a high-quality, oil-based or latex bonding primer formulated for masonry. Work the product deep into the mortar joints and the textured face of the brick.
  5. Edge Out the Perimeter First. Use a high-quality sash brush to paint around the fireplace insert, the mantel, and the corners of the room. Feather the paint out slightly so your roller can blend the edges seamlessly.
  6. Roll Thin, Even Coats. Using a 3/4-inch nap roller, apply the heat-resistant latex paint to the brick surfaces. Apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat to avoid running paint in the mortar joints.