How Do You Paint A Brick Fireplace & Mantle?
A few coats of paint can dramatically alter the appearance of a fireplace and mantle. The process is fairly straightforward. The most difficult part of the job is deciding if you really want to do it. Once you have painted your fireplace, removing the paint is almost impossible. Before taking on this project, make sure you really want to cover the brick forever. Once you have made the decision, the rest is easy. Using a hand held scrub brush, scrub the areas between the brick to eliminate as much dust as possible. Use a back and forth motion and moderate pressure. Use damp rags to wipe dust and dirt from the surface of the brick. Wipe down the mantle, using a mild cleaner if necessary to remove soot. If the mantle was previously painted, use fine grit sandpaper to lightly sand the mantle to prep it for painting. Use caulk to fill in holes in the face of the brick. This step is optional if you prefer the rustic look of the holes. Brush primer into the mortar between the bricks. Work aro
