How to cover paint on a red brick fireplace

Question

The previous owner of our house started painting the red brick fireplace blue. I don't know how to take the paint off and I don't know if I can stain over it. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Suzanne · Answer

What color do you want final color to be? Don't try to take the paint off, try to paint over it and let that be your primer (filler) coat. The next coat, your final color, will cover fast and not so porously. Don't worry about staining. Rollers, reg. nap and 2' slanted for painting mortar. I painted both my upst and downst fireplaces. They turned out to be the crowning glory of all the painting.

Kathy Munson · Answer

I agree...don't try taking off the blue paint. If they did not completely paint it blue then paint the rest of it white. Paint a layer of white over the blue...but try to keep the thickness of the paint consistent. Then you will have a good base coat to paint your desired color over on and it should run true to color. 
If you do want to try to remove the paint try wire brushes. It depends on what kind of paint they used as to how it may work to remove.
Good Luck!

Judi Hamann · Answer

Be sure to use a stain blocking paint first.

LoriKindler · Answer

My sister had a horrid color on her fireplace. She put a beige base coat and then used 2 other colors to sponge on and made it look like bricks again. When she had the look she wanted, she took a small paint brush and used the beige again to create 'mortar joints'. It looked great!

Deb K · Answer

Hi Marty, hope this helps you out.

You could strip it

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-remove-paint-from-brick-5193858

Or just repaint it

https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-ca/interior-exterior-paints-stains/how-to-advice/interiors/brick-fireplace

Johnavallance82 · Answer

Use Stain Block and when dry go over it with the colour you want. It may take more than one coat.

How to cover paint on a red brick fireplace

Suggested Project Book

10 Lovely Ways Decorate Those Plain Tea Towels You Have

Other

More

How to cover paint on a red brick fireplace

Suggested Project Book