How to whitewash a brick fireplace?

There are several projects here on Hometalk. Find the one you like and see how they did it https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=white%20wash%20fireplace

Can use either oil or latex and yes need to thin to whitewash. Water for latex, paint thinner for oil.

Whitewashing is SIMPLE! Remember it does not have to be "white"

Probably should give your brick a quick dusting before beginning and remember to protect anything you don't want washed by accident i.e ceiling, floors, nearby walls. Paint, water, bucket, brushes and some rags and you are ready to go.

I finally did our huge brick wall last year, posted it as a project " massive brick fireplace wall whitewash success"

I did it! And I love it! Our fireplace was so...blah. It's not a big fireplace but it was very dated so I changed the mantle...my husband cut off the ugly "teeth" and also did some sanding but I stained it and white-washed the brick. It made a huge difference! Thank you all for the suggestions!

Here's a before and after photos.....

Now to hide all those cords. 😊

God bless you all,

Christy ☺️

Thin your paint down then apply.

Hi Kate,

I would water down white Flat emulsion paint. It will sink in, then do it again to build up to the depth of white you really want or don't water it down so much the second time.

Just thin down the paint you. Want to use and brush it on, wipe off excess. .

Thin the paint down by mixing in some water, then brush it on. You can wipe off the excess so it doesn't run down the brick. A lot of the paint will soak into the brick, so you may need to do a couple of coats, depending on how "white" you want it to be when completed.

It's just thinned down paint. If use latex, thin with water, if oil, thin with paint thinner. Either one works.

Make sure any paint around a fireplace is thermal or heat resistant. If it's water based? Mix 2 parts paint with 1 part water. Mix well. Dip a chip paint brush in the solution and tap it good on paper towels until it seems too dry. Tap brush on brick hitting the raised areas. Is a white or cream. Then take a secondary color like light grey or super pale peach and do the same. Take a dry rag and wipe to blend.

You can use an eggshell paint for brick which I’ve had good luck with. Here is a really good tutorial whitewashing a brick fireplace: https://www.younghouselove.com/how-to-whitewash-brick/

The best product is masonry stain, not paint. Paint will be extremely high maintenance, but stain will be one-and-done.

Hi Deanna,

Watered down Masonry Paint or Emulsion Paint! Good luck!

Start with a 50/50 mix of water and paint. After you brush it on the bricks, you can wipe some off with a rag. If it's not white enough, you can always increase the amount of paint.

My cousin took latex paint and thinned it to paint hers. It is beautiful. She is not handy or crafty at all but found YouTube videos that guided her.

Om roetafzettingen op de stenen voorgoed te verwijderen ... 'insappen' met zoutzuur 100% (apotheek). Opletten... zeer gevaarlijk, spatten branden direct door kleding en huid!!! Veiligheidsbrillen en handschoenen mogen zeker NIET ontbreken. Giet zoutzuur in een glazen pot, gebruik een wegwerpborstel (want die 'brandt' op). Laat zoutzuur inweken (dagen) en stenen 'zweten' tot er geen druppels meer ontstaan. Wees voorzichtig! 🏁

Here's a video of one I did on a house I flipped https://www.pinterest.com/pin/178736678951311690/ Instructions for materials are listed.

I painted a red brick fireplace a gloss white, after it dried I painted the fireplace with a stain, used a walnut stain, (you can use whatever color stain.) I painted it and then immediately wipe it off with a soft lint free rag. So easy and it looked great.

Try in in a corner of the fireplace, if you don't like it, just repaint that area with the white paint and try another choice,

Sorry I don't have a pictured, it was a few years ago and I have since moved.

Good luck

I used white mortar and it turned out great!

Dry wall or joint compound used as mortar like Chad did will give that German Schemer look. It could fill in and repoint the mortar if you wanted to smooth the texture. But just watered down paint will lighten the brick. Since it is indoors you don't need to worry about expensive durable limewashes or special paint. Experiment on extra bricks ( old ones or buy a couple) to get your technique down.

Try just doing odd bricks as a design to see how easy it is and if you are going to like it!

will this work on a rock fire place?

Check out Brick Anew. I used it to do my fireplace and it came out great! Better than just all one color, it uses different tones and techniques to make a huge difference.

https://brick-anew.com/product/fireplace-brick-paint-kit/

dont use water it makes the paint too runny.get 1 qt clear glaze.all paint stores sell it.and get 1 qt satin white paint.thin the glaze coat4 parts glaze to 1 pt paint and apply.its meant for this porpose .i work in a paint store for 45 years .this is the best method and it wont run

Make a fake "German schmear." Take white or off-white latex paint, add water and baking soda to thin it out, and apply with a sponge. Experiment first with the amount of water and baking soda to get the look you want before applying it.

Mix water and paint 50/50/ Apply with a rag or brush and wipe off the excess until you get the color you want.

Lowes has the best paint. Thin a portion with water, about 1/2 and 1/2. Paint it on the brick in a small area, wait 5 minutes and wipe it off. Go on to the next section.