How to Paint Interior Brick for a Professional Finish

Brick is a porous, unforgiving surface that traps dust, soot, and moisture, making it one of the most challenging substrates to finish inside a home. If you simply roll latex paint directly onto an untreated wall, the high alkalinity of the mortar joints will break down the binder, leading to unsightly peeling and flaking within a single season. Achieving a professional look requires patience and the right chemical foundation. Done well, a painted brick fireplace or accent wall adds texture and depth to a living room, acting as a clean, uniform backdrop for your decor. Done poorly, it creates a maintenance nightmare that is almost impossible to strip away later. The secret lies in the prep work: removing every speck of loose debris and using a heavy-duty masonry primer that locks down the surface before the color even touches the wall.

  1. Strip Every Speck Clean. Scrub the brick with a stiff-bristle nylon brush and a mixture of water and mild dish soap. For fireplace brick with soot, use a dedicated masonry degreaser to ensure the surface is chemically clean.
  2. Fill the Voids First. Examine the mortar for cracks or crumbling areas. Fill any voids with a paintable, high-quality masonry caulk or mortar repair compound to create a solid surface for the paint.
  3. Seal Your Perimeter. Use painter's tape and heavy-duty plastic sheeting to mask off the mantle, hearth, floor, and adjacent walls. Brick sheds dust easily, so ensure the floor is covered at least three feet out from the wall.
  4. Primer Down—No Shortcuts. Use a high-nap roller (3/4-inch to 1-inch) to force a high-quality, alkali-resistant latex primer into the texture of the brick. Do not skip this step, as it prevents the mortar's pH from ruining your topcoat.
  5. Dab—Don't Drag. Using a high-quality angled sash brush, cut in the edges where the brick meets the ceiling or side walls. Use a stippling motion rather than a dragging motion to work the paint into the pits of the brick.
  6. Two Thin Beats One Thick. Apply two thin coats of 100% acrylic masonry paint, allowing for the recommended dry time between coats. Thin coats prevent drips and sagging, which are common on uneven brick surfaces.