How do I properly clean brick prior to painting?

To make sure your paint adheres and dries properly, you'll need to thoroughly clean the brick. Use a wire scrub brush to remove any dirt or dust, then apply non-sudsy trisodium phosphate (also called TSP; wear gloves and safety goggles), and wash thoroughly with a heavy-duty cleaner. Rinse and let dry.

Hi Nancy! Here is some helpful information for you. I wish you the best and Merry Christmas!!

https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/skills-and-know-how/painting/how-to-paint-a-brick-fireplace

This should help: http://www.housecleaningcentral.com/en/cleaning-tips/living-area/how-to-clean-brick.html

Be careful with the wired brush. Do not go too crazy. When I used it, it took off mortar.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+prep+brick+before+painting

Muriatic acid is a good product for cleaning brick and concrete before painting. Be sure to protect your eyes, skin and anything else around your project.

I just used a broom to sweep off the brick and vacuumed out the inside of the fireplace with a shop vac - then wiped it out with Windex. I always use chalk paint to paint the brick (and have done 5 fireplaces so far). I like to use 2-3 colors to show definition and depth of the brick. In this one - I used white, gray and black paints. I outlined the mortar lines first with white, dry brushed (very little paint) the white on the the bricks (almost dabbing) very lightly, then the same with the gray and a little black and then more white. I always paint the inside of the hearth with heat resistant paint, usually black because it covers up the soot.

Thank you all so much. Love the job you did on the fireplace in the pix, Cindy. Looks great!

I purchased an expensive brick painting kit. They recommended I use foaming bathroom cleaner on the bricks. It took 2-3 applications, but it worked! - Good luck!

If you go the muriatic acid route, make sure you protect your lungs by covering your nose and mouth heavily. I I have to use it on a toilet or ceramic tub, I hold a folded thick towel over my nose and mouth and put a fan on the other side of where I am working to blow the fumes out an open window. It is very hard on the lungs to breath in the fumes. It works great, but good solid protection is a necessity.

I used lysol scrubbing bubbles bathroom cleaner and rags. Painted it with chalk paint three years ago and many fires since it has held up beautifully. Easy and quick

DO NOT paint brick or rock. it looks cheep and you cannot get it off