How to Paint Your Fireplace

A large room decorated with painted walls against a white fireplace.

Last updated August 21, 2024

By: Home Depot Staff

The Home Depot More from Home Depot Staff

Share this Article:

The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer with stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, 10 Canadian provinces, and Mexico.

A Note From The Home Depot

Painting your fireplace brick is easy, affordable and can create a stunning focal point for your room.

Influencer Guide

Home Decor Ideas

Paint Ideas & Projects

Fireplaces

Paint and Stain

Paint Projects

Living Room

Step 1: Prepare for Paint
Step 2: Scrub the Brick
Step 3: Remove Soot
Step 4: Prime the Brick
Step 5: Paint the Brick

An empty room with plain walls and a brick fireplace.

A decorated room with wooden floors and painted walls.

Step 1: Prepare for Paint

A person adding painter's tape to the wood trim on a fireplace.

Cleaning brick, then painting it can get a little messy, so be sure to use painter’s tapeand drop cloths throughout the process to protect walls, flooring and the surrounding woodwork.

Step 2: Scrub the Brick

A person scrubbing a brick fireplace with a wire brush.

Give the brick a good scrub using a stiff wire brush to knock off any loose grout or dirt. Vacuum thoroughly. If there are any grout or mortar repairs to be made, make them now.

Step 3: Remove Soot

A person cleaning a brick fireplace with a rag and degreaser.

Using a degreaser, clean the brick thoroughly. Wipe it down with rags and/or rinse according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A citrus-based degreaser can remove light grime, but if you’re dealing with years of soot, you may need a heavy-duty product like TSP. Always wear gloves, eye protection and a mask.

Step 4: Prime the Brick

A person carefully pours paint into a pan before working on a room.

With the surface clean and dry, seal it with a high-quality primer.
Use a paint roller to apply two coats here as brick can be very porous. Be sure to use a roller cover that’s designed for textured surfaces.

Step 5: Paint the Brick

A person using a paintbrush to paint a brick fireplace white.

Once the primer is completely dry, finish up with a fresh coat of water-based semi-gloss latex paint. Use a textured roller and brush to get into all the nooks and crannies.

NOTE: If you’re painting the firebox INTERIOR, you’ll need a heat-resistant specialty paint, also available at The Home Depot.

This post was created in partnership with The Home Depot. The author may have received compensation for this article and associated images or video, potentially in the form of products and/or services. All expressed opinions and experiences are the author’s own words.