Asked on Jan 21, 2014

How do I paint a red brick fireplace white?

Pamela Lawrence
by Pamela Lawrence
want to update living room and thought the fireplace needs to be the first project... looking for the least expensive way.
  7 answers
  • There is primer for this purpose (Zinsser is a good one). I would use outside paint for masonry/brick. do light coats and let dry in between and you may not need a primer. You can use this outdoor paint indoors as long as you have ventilation and make sure to put down paper, drop cloth because this paint is bit harder to clean up (paint really doesn't smell anymore). Good luck.
  • Leslie Peoples Leslie Peoples on Jan 22, 2014
    Is your fireplace woodburning? My fireplace has a gas insert and I painted it just under a year ago. I used 2 coats of primer and then needed only 1 coat of paint. Here's a link to before & after pictures: http://www.contentedinwestlafayette.blogspot.com/2013/04/family-room-redecoration.html
  • Dee Dee on Jan 22, 2014
    A really nappy roller will get in all the holes and cracks may need a good brush also.
  • Pamela Lawrence Pamela Lawrence on Jan 22, 2014
    Thanks. This is going to be my next big project.:-)
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jan 23, 2014
    From all I have seen on TV shows, it is recommended that it be thoroughly cleaned first. I have seen where Scrubbing Bubbles and stiff scrub brushes were used...be sure and put down a drop cloth (I would put down some old towels too just to be safe). Make sure you give it time to dry before painting. Since I am also interested in painting my fireplace, I am interested in what people will say on this post. Actually, I want to put up strips of wood and sheetrock a lot of mine!
  • Envy Lawn Envy Lawn on Jan 23, 2014
    I second everyone's comment on here. Great job everyone in assisting Pamela!
  • Once cleaned using TSP (Trisodium phosfate) found at any paint or big box store.The proper way to paint any masonry is to use a block filler for the first and or second coats depending on the porosity of the substrate. For the uninformed this fills all the little holes in the morter and or block. After, apply a masonry or exterior grade paint . I would recomend with a minimum of an egg shell finish for cleaning purposes. The greater the sheen the easier the cleanbility. This procedure is to be use on masonary only not the mantel unless that is masonary.