How do I take paint off this fireplace?

Stacy Rubin
by Stacy Rubin
It is an ugly color and I would like to remove it. Is it difficult?
  9 answers
  • Lucid Designs Lucid Designs on Jan 06, 2015
    It is difficult and time consuming, and potentially pretty toxic, as well. Without knowing what kind of paint is on the brick, here are a couple of options: 1) Citristrip. Non-toxic, smell is relatively pleasant. Use a cheap paint brush to coat the bricks in workable sections. Let sit until you see it doing something. Use a wire brush to get the paint off. This may or may not work, and if it does work, it may or may not have to be repeated a few times. 2) Muriatic acid. Toxic. Not sure if you can purchase at Home Depot, but definitely available at paint shops. Keep your space highly ventilated and wear protective gear (not a dusk mask and ask the paint shop for gloves that it won't eat through). Let it sit, and again use a wire brush once you see things happening. This should work in one coat.
  • Nancy B Nancy B on Jan 06, 2015
    I would repaint in a color that is desirable to you. You will never get off all the paint and residue. Brick is very porous and paint has soaked in to tiny crevices.
  • Susan Ziegler Susan Ziegler on Jan 06, 2015
    I did it many years ago with paint remover and a steel brush. You are in for a treat that way but if you want to hire it, you can have it done by sand blasting.
  • Susan Ziegler Susan Ziegler on Jan 06, 2015
    Nancy, My house was 100 years old and I got every bit of it off. patience and stick to it ness.
  • Marilyn Sargent Marilyn Sargent on Jan 06, 2015
    I would use that as a "primer" and just paint over with your choice of color.
  • Sharon Sharon on Jan 07, 2015
    I have a two sided stone fireplace that a previous owner painted one side of light gray. I couldn't get it off and opted not to try sandblasting. My painter gave me some glazes and I dabbed on 3 colors until I was satisfied. You really don't notice any difference now. You could try that, or more paint. Is it possible to cover it with wood, sheetrock & tile perhaps?
  • Joyce Stewart Joyce Stewart on Jan 07, 2015
    Good Question Sharon! Hoping to hear how to cover the bricks that I've spent 19 years looking at..not to paint..but definitely to update and look at something different for a while! Grateful to join this group today! Has anyone covered your brick fireplaces with other things..and if so what? (Picts please!)
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Jan 08, 2015
    Think Sharon has the most cost and time effective answer.
  • Myrna Engle Myrna Engle on Feb 03, 2015
    My question is why not take it down and re-do to suit your personality and your very own taste ? It appears to be easy enough. Try river rock, or raw granite . Anything looks more natural and welcoming that brick. Now ask why mine is 9 ft. long and 9 ft. high ?