How to Paint Antique Brick Fireplaces

Clean the fireplace. Any dirt, soot or debris will need to be removed before the surface can be painted. Use a damp, soft sponge and thoroughly clean each brick and the mortar in between. For stubborn areas, use a stiff brass brush to restore the bricks before you paint them. Otherwise, the stains will eventually bleed through the paint.

Prime over the bricks. Use an oil based primer. Latex paint will flake and chip off of bricks. Use a thin coat, but make sure that every brick is covered. You may also paint over the mortar to give the fireplace a fresh look.

Choose a paint color that is in keeping with the design of your home. Federalist and Colonial homes are known for their red brick fireplaces. A neutral color will work with several design schemes, including arts and crafts or rustic. The only exception to this rule is if the room is quite small and the fireplace overwhelms the space. In this instance, you might want to paint the bricks white.

Tape off the mortar if necessary. If you will be painting the bricks a dark color, use painter's tape to leave the mortar line intact.

Paint the bricks. Use an oil based paint and a textured roller. A textured roller is vital to reach into every tiny space in the bricks. You may need to add more than one coat. Let the first coat dry for six to eight hours. Examine the fireplace in sunlight and in lamp light. If you can still see the old color seeping through, or if the coverage is not even, apply another coat. Remove the painter's tape when you are done if you blocked off the mortar lines.