The Dos and Don'ts of Painting a Brick Fireplace

DO some serious roll-up-your-sleeves prep work

Remove soot, dirt and cobwebs from the bricks with a wire brush, then de-grime with a heavy-duty cleaner like phosphate-free TSP. Let the bricks dry for 24 to 48 hours.

DON’T forget to inspect the mortar

If there’s a lot of crumbling, you might need to hire a pro to repair it. 

DO apply a latex primer

Use one made specifically for masonry if the bricks have never been painted before. It’s about $50 a gallon but worth the price — it will seal the bricks and help the paint adhere.

DON’T use semigloss or gloss paint

It’ll make the bricks look fake and plasticky. Stick with a flat latex interior paint applied with a brush or a roller.