Wrong paint on faux fireplace interior

Question

I sprayed the inside of this faux fireplace with the wrong kind of paint. Now candles release fumes from the paint. How do I fix it?

Shelby @ The Weathered Barn Studio · Answer

...what type of paint did you actually use ? There is a paint made expressly for this purpose...high heat Barbecue paint. I am not an expert on this issue, but I would recommend using a wire brush, lightly use that to take off some of the residue and any ash, soot, etc. and then do a coat of that paint. After reading a bit about this paint, it WILL ' scorch' a bit when hit by flames, but it would do the same thing on a barbecue as well. Hope this helps.

Nancy Nesbitt · Answer

Since these fumes may be a health hazard, you should probably contact a professional masonary contractor and get his/her advice. Check Angie's List or get recommendations from friends or other building contractors so you get good advice from a reputable company. The fix may be as simple as painting over your old paint with the proper type for fireplaces, but I don't know if this would be safe or not. You must think of your health and safety first. (I love your candleabra!)

Hope Williams · Answer

I agree with both comments.  Your going to have to remove the paint then repaint with fireplace paint/high heat paint.  Please wear a respirator when sanding/citri-strip ing the wrong paint.

Liliana Wells · Answer

Open windows and/or damper to dispel the fumes.

Recreate · Answer

since this is not an actual fireplace, the candles will not give off alot of heat, but having said that, it is safer to go with a high heat paint, as the others have posted and sanding is recommended. It is normal to have a smell for a bit when using the candles. I have a wood stove and even when I used the high heat paint to restore my stove it did smell for the first 5-6 times. I did spray in the spring and only lit small fires and left the windows open. When the winter came there was no more smell off the stove from the paint, and that was 9 yrs ago. Hope this helps. But just a note for future ref. it is recommended that when painting brick always use latex paint, the brick needs to breath.

Susan · Answer

I would seal everything you already painted with Kilz or a paint store recommended primer / sealer first, then apply a high heat paint as others have suggested.

Laura · Answer

my fireplace was painted with the wrong color black paint when I had the chimney cleaned the chimney sweep said it was the wrong paint that I just needed to burn it off and then it would go up the chimney. This did not happen when I started my first fire on December 31, 2019 the paint fumes went throughout my house and we’re a big mess to clean up. Since then I’ve contacted several specialist the last one suggested I replace the bricks. All other methods would be costly, messy and take too much time. I wish I could sue the people I bought my house from. I haven’t been able to use my fireplace at all.

Did sanding the inside of your fireplace work? How long did it take?

Dee · Answer

I would get Rustoleum High Heat Paint and repaint the fireplace.

Laura · Answer

I don’t know if I can just paint over the wrong paint with the right paint. Does anyone know what happens if I don’t strip the wrong paint off the bricks first?

Ann|The Apple Street Cottage · Answer

If you don't want to remove the paint, consider using battery-operated candles.

Deb K · Answer

Hi Ellen, spray paint does take some time to loose the odor once it's applied. You can just wait about a month or so for the paint to totally dry and loose the odor, or you can apply a sealer over it to help with the smell. If you use a spray clear coat, it will have an odor as well, but that too will slowly tame.

Redcatcec · Answer

You could strip off the paint, which may not be totally necessary. Also a sealant would cover the paint, be sure it is non-flammable.

Wrong paint on faux fireplace interior

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Wrong paint on faux fireplace interior

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