How to Reface a Fireplace With Wood and Paint It

Push the tip of a prybar against the wall behind one of the legs of the fireplace surround, sliding it in as far as possible. Apply pressure against the rear of the leg to push it away from the wall’s surface, breaking the bond of the adhesive holding it in place. Move down the side of the leg, sliding the prybar to the base, and pull the leg free of the wall. For brick pavers or tile surround, cut out the grout or mortar between the joints with the blade of the rotary tool, and then pry each paver or tile off the surface with the prybar.

Repeat the removal process on the other leg of the surround and then remove the top piece that lays across the two leg pieces.

Use the putty knife to scrape off the old adhesive from the face of the fireplace revealed with the surround removal, or use the rotary tool blade if the adhesive is a thinset mortar.

Prime the wood replacement surround with an oil-based primer, using a paint roller to completely cover each piece of the surround. Work with the grain of the wood when applying the primer, and overlap each roller stroke by 50 percent to ensure complete coverage. Allow the primer time to dry, according to the manufacturer's timing recommendations.

Cover the primer with latex paint. Use the same process employed with the primer, adding an additional layer of paint to conceal the primer paint and lessen the appearance of brushstrokes. Wait for the first layer of topcoat paint to dry for two hours before applying the second layer. Allow the final layer of top coat 72 hours to dry before placing the pieces onto the fireplace.

Apply construction adhesive to the rear of one of the new wooden leg pieces. Use two beads of adhesive running parallel down the leg. Press the leg onto the fireplace in the same position as the one you removed. Check that its level using a carpenter’s level across the leg top and adjust its position if needed. Use the same process to place the other leg, only when leveling, lay the carpenter’s level across the top of both legs to adjust the second so that its level to the first. Use three beads across the rear of the header of the surround and then place it across the two legs, butted closely against them. Allow the surround to dry overnight.