Painting Guide

How to Paint a Brick Fireplace

Painting a brick fireplace is a high-impact way to refresh a living room, family room, or basement without renovating the entire space. With the right prep, primer, paint, and technique, old brick can look cleaner, brighter, more modern, or more dramatic.

The key is preparation. Brick is porous, textured, and often holds soot, dust, and mineral residue, so it must be brushed, cleaned, dried, primed, and painted carefully.

Important Safety Note

Paint only the outside of the brick fireplace. Do not paint the interior firebox or any surface exposed to open flame unless you are using a specialized high-heat product made for that purpose.

Wear proper personal protective equipment, including safety glasses or goggles, a mask, and gloves, especially when brushing, sanding, cleaning, or working around dust and soot.

Brick Fireplace Painting Supply Checklist

  • Wire brush
  • All-purpose cleaner or soap and water
  • Vacuum with brush attachment
  • Degreaser or trisodium phosphate, if needed for heavier soot or residue
  • Sponge and clean water
  • Painter’s tape
  • Drop cloths
  • Paintbrush
  • Paint roller with a thick-nap roller cover, such as 12.7 mm or 9.5 mm
  • Roller extension pole, especially for taller fireplaces
  • Insl-X® Aqua Lock® or Fresh Start® High-Hiding All-Purpose Primer
  • Regal® Select, Aura® Interior, or Advance® Interior paint
  • Safety goggles or glasses, mask, and gloves

Recommended Primer and Paint

Brick is porous and absorbent, so a high-quality primer helps seal the surface, improve coverage, and reduce the chance of stains or mineral residue showing through the finish paint.

Fresh Start® High-Hiding All-Purpose Primer

A strong primer choice for interior brick, especially when you need hide, adhesion, and a more uniform surface before painting.

Insl-X® Aqua Lock®

A good option when stain blocking and reliable adhesion are important before applying the finish paint.

Regal® Select or Aura® Interior

Premium interior paints for a durable, beautiful finish on the outside face of a brick fireplace.

Advance® Interior Paint

A smooth, durable option that can work well for mantels, trim, and surrounding painted woodwork.

1

Brush Out Debris

Start with a sound, clean surface. Use a stiff wire brush to remove loose dust, dirt, soot, and debris from the brick.

  • Brush the face of the brick thoroughly.
  • Pay special attention to mortar lines between the bricks.
  • Check the mortar for damage or areas that may need repair before painting.
  • Vacuum the fireplace surface and surrounding floor with a brush attachment.

Tip: Take your time on this step. Paint will only perform as well as the surface underneath it.

2

Clean the Brick Fireplace

After loose debris is removed, clean the brick to remove soot, residue, oils, and mineral deposits that could affect the finish.

  • Use an all-purpose cleaner or a mild soap-and-water solution.
  • Test the cleaner on a small side area first to check for discolouration.
  • Work the cleaner into the brick surface with a sponge.
  • Wipe the surface with a clean sponge and fresh water.
  • Use a degreaser or trisodium phosphate only if heavier soot or residue remains.

Key watchout: Brick absorbs water. Let the fireplace dry for at least 24 hours before priming or painting.

3

Prime the Brick

Once the brick is clean and fully dry, tape off the surrounding edges, trim, mantel, wall, and floor areas before priming.

  • Use a brush to prime all mortar lines between the bricks.
  • Be careful not to leave gaps or missed areas in the mortar.
  • Use a thick-nap roller to prime the face of the brick.
  • Use a 12.7 mm or 9.5 mm nap roller cover depending on the texture of the brick.
  • Expect to use more primer than you would on a similar-sized smooth wall because brick is porous.
  • A second coat of primer may be needed if soot, staining, or mineral residue is still showing.
  • For best results, let the primer dry overnight before painting.
4

Paint the Brick Fireplace

After the primer is dry, apply the finish paint using a brush-and-roller approach.

  • Use a brush to paint the mortar lines first.
  • Use a roller to paint the face of the bricks.
  • Work carefully so textured areas receive consistent coverage.
  • Use an extension pole if the fireplace extends from floor to ceiling.
  • Apply a second coat for a more consistent, durable, long-lasting finish.
5

Paint the Mantel and Trim

The mantel and trim can either blend into the fireplace or become a design feature.

  • Use the same colour on connected built-ins, baseboards, and mantel areas for a consistent look.
  • For a modern look, paint the mantel, fireplace, and wall the same colour.
  • Use a bold colour if you want the fireplace to become a focal point.
  • Choose black for a grounded, framed look.
  • Choose white for a clean, classic look that works with seasonal décor.

Choosing a Brick Fireplace Colour and Sheen

White and gray are common choices for brick fireplaces, but this is also a great place to try a stronger colour. A deep blue, charcoal, black, warm neutral, or muted earthy colour can turn the fireplace into a true design feature.

Lower sheens such as matte or eggshell help preserve the natural texture of the brick and make imperfections less noticeable. A higher sheen, such as semi-gloss, reflects more light and may be easier to wipe clean, but it can also highlight texture and surface flaws.

Quick Brick Fireplace Painting Checklist

  • Wear safety glasses, mask, and gloves.
  • Brush the brick and mortar with a wire brush.
  • Vacuum dust and debris thoroughly.
  • Clean soot and residue with an appropriate cleaner.
  • Let the brick dry for at least 24 hours.
  • Tape and protect surrounding walls, floors, trim, and mantel areas.
  • Prime mortar lines with a brush.
  • Prime brick faces with a thick-nap roller.
  • Let primer dry fully, preferably overnight.
  • Paint mortar lines first, then roll the brick faces.
  • Apply a second finish coat for best consistency and durability.
  • Do not paint the firebox unless using a proper high-heat product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is painting a brick fireplace a good idea?

Yes. Painting a brick fireplace can create a major visual refresh with relatively little disruption, as long as the brick is properly cleaned, dried, primed, and painted.

What kind of paint should you use on a brick fireplace?

For the exterior face of an interior brick fireplace, premium interior paints such as Aura® Interior, Regal® Select Interior, or Advance® Interior can be good options, depending on the surface and look you want.

What colour should I paint a brick fireplace?

White and gray are popular choices, but deeper colours such as navy, charcoal, black, or earthy tones can make the fireplace a stronger focal point.

How do you make a brick fireplace look modern?

For a modern look, consider painting the fireplace, mantel, and surrounding wall the same colour, then adding bold artwork or brighter décor accents.

How long does a painted brick fireplace last?

Longevity depends on preparation, primer, paint quality, surface condition, and use. Proper cleaning, priming, and premium paint will help the finish last longer.

Need Help Choosing Fireplace Paint?

Visit Colour Land and we can help you choose the right Benjamin Moore primer, paint, sheen, roller cover, brush, cleaner, and prep products for your brick fireplace project.