Learn how to paint brick, including which types of paint to use. Painting a brick fireplace is an inexpensive and easy way to brighten a room.
Brick can be a beautiful accent in a home. I love aged brick walls — especially in old farm kitchens or peeking out from crumbling plaster. However, sometimes brick just feels dark and heavy. That was definitely the case in our dining room and it had to go.
I use to live in the “big city,” as they say; and would always head to a big box store for paint. Not that there is anything wrong with those stores; but I love our local hardware store. While the selection is smaller, they are always so much more knowledgeable when it comes to answering our questions.
What’s the Best Paint to use when painting a brick fireplace?
After doing some internet research, I expected to be purchasing a masonry, brick and stucco paint; but the paint tech suggested otherwise. He recommended a can of Zinnser Primer, which he tinted to match the paint. He said that after using the Zinnser Primer I could use a basic interior latex paint. As usual, I chose my go-to, Porter Paints Hi Hide, in a Semi-Gloss finish so that it would be easy to clean.
I expected to be painting this brick for weeks. All I had heard about brick was how much it would soak up the paint… plus there were so many small crevices. However, this combination of paint turned out to be very impressive. Don’t believe me? Well, let’s just say the proof is in the pudding pictures {hehe!}.
Supply List
How to Paint a Brick Fireplace
- Vacuum and dust the brick fireplace to clear it of debris, cobwebs, and dust bunnies.
- Collect your supplies. The first and second coats will be a tinted primer.
- Use a brush to apply paint to the mortar in between the bricks.
- Once the mortar has received a coat of primer, paint the face of the brick with primer. You can use either a brush or a high nap roller designed for rough surfaces to apply the primer.
After 1 Coat of Primer:
- After the first coat dries, repeat steps 3-4 in order to apply a second coat of tinted primer. This second coat should result in near-to-full coverage of the brick.
After 2 Coats of Primer:
- Once the second coat is dry, apply a semi-gloss paint. Again, follow the order of steps 3-4, painting mortar followed by the face of the brick.
After 1 Coat of Semi-Gloss Paint:
Can you believe the coverage? I couldn’t. I fully expected to be painting – at a minimum – a coat of primer and 3 coats of paint. I also expected it to be tedious. However, when you buy good quality paint, it makes all the difference. This combo went on easily, with a smooth semi-gloss finish, and great coverage.
Now, we just get to enjoy it. The best part, of course.
If you’d like to see more of our farmhouse style dining room, click here.
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t spend big bucks on a fancy brush! The rough brick texture won’t be easy on brush bristles. I like to buy affordable multi-size paintbrush packs that can be used for a project and tossed afterward.
- Make sure to prep correctly. Cover the floor around the hearth and tape off the fireplace doors/insert.
FAQs: Painting a Brick Fireplace
What color paint did you use?
Unfortunately, it’s a custom mix to match the wood trim in our home. Here are the details on the formula: PP109 – Porter Paint Hi Hide Interior Latex – Light Base B=3 C=15 F=1
How does the paint hold up?
After 3 years, there is only one spot where the paint chipped on the hearth. We have young kids, which means that hearth is regularly used for play, jumping, banging toys {haha!}, etc.
Should I wash the brick before painting?
In most cases, no. A thorough vacuuming and dusting should remove most debris. If there is a heavy amount of soot around the firebox or hearth, you may need to wash the brick before painting. Still, the primer should cover most residue.
Can I use this same paint combination in the firebox?
No! If it is a functional fireplace, you must use a paint designed for high temperatures in the firebox. If the fireplace is not functional, you would not have to use a high-temperature paint in the firebox.
10+ More Painted Brick Fireplace Makeovers
If this project wasn’t enough to convince you to paint your brick fireplace, check out 10 more Painted Fireplace Makeovers by clicking Page 2, below.
From downright ugly to gorgeous!
Ladies you did a great job and it certainly wasn't easy painting such rough surface.
It looks fantastic now!
Amazing! It gives such a great result and it really updates the brick "decor"!
It looks great! You've got to love how those small local shops actually know what they are talking about! The big stores are good for some things but not always experience and knowledge!
I'm not a creative DIY'er at all, but even I could do this. Thanks for this informative tutorial that may just come in handy some day! 🙂
Thanks! Such a transformation, right?
Glad it was helpful!
Yep! It's always such a good shopping experience when we can get questions answered.
Thanks! 🙂
What color paint did you use?
It’s a custom mix paint color to match our trim.
Here are the details on the formula if that helps:
PP109 – Porter Paint Hi Hide Interior Latex – Light Base
B=3 C=15 F=1
Is this the paint for the Shanty 2 Chic fireplace redo?
Hi, Lisa. No the tutorial is for my fireplace redo. If you’d like to get the details on the Shanty 2 Chic redo, head over to her post: https://www.instagram.com/p/BIoSiIdhx1_/
Did you need so wash the brick first
I didn’t wash it but I did dust it. If it had soot buildup, you would probably want to wash it.
My fireplace was painted white years ago and has held up better than expected. I no longer burn wood in the firebox but may use an electric insert down the road. I want to repaint it myself. Since it is already painted with several layers of paint as the brick did soak up a lot of paint when the contractor did the job do I still need to prime it before I try my hand at repainting it myself
No, I don’t think you would need to prime it again. The main purpose of the primer is to keep the brick from soaking up paint, but in your case, that is already done. The only caveat to that could be: If you are going from a very dark paint to a light paint, you might want a primer, similar to switching from a dark wall color to a light wall color. Good luck!!
The fireplace looks amazing, but I’d like to know where you got the map hanging above it. I need one of those.
Hi, Carrie! I made it! The map tutorial can be found here: https://craftivitydesigns.com/diy-chalkboard-map/
The updated fireplace looks beautiful! One question I have that I didn’t see answered; did you use oil-based or latex primer? I was told to use an oil-based primer and latex paint.
Hi, Linda! Great question! They recommended a latex primer for this project, and that is also what I have used on my most recent fireplace renovation, too. It is not up on my blog yet, but it is a painter fireplace in a german schmear technique. Both this reno and the german schmear technique have done great with both latex paint and primer. Let me know if you have any other questions! Happy New Year 🙂
I’ve seen many bloggers recommending a Brick or Stucco Paint, and I see you used ‘Hi Hide’ for more coverage. It’s been difficult finding that Brick and Stucco paint, and then the high coverage paint in a dark base. Any recommendations? Or details on how you sourced your paint?
I went into the paint store planning to buy Brick and Stucco Paint, but the clerk working in the paint department said there was no need to buy a brick stucco paint. Instead, he recommended a single coat of tinted primer + Hi Hide (which is just Porter Paints high-quality paint/primer in one). Therefore, any high-quality semi-gloss, paint/primer in one from Porter Paints, Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, etc. should suffice.