When a red brick fireplace becomes stained with black smoke, it can really become an eyesore. A coat of tan-tone latex paint can rejuvenate the look of a red brick fireplace as long as it is properly applied. This post will cover how to paint a red brick fireplace in a tan tone.
However, many do-it-yourselfers have trouble getting paint to adhere to brick fireplace surfaces. If you are planning to paint your red brick fireplace in a tan tone, you should take the following steps.
Things Needed
- Drop cloths
- Coarse brush
- Rags
- Blue painter’s tape
- 5-gallon bucket
- Paint roller cover
- Paint roller screen
- Roller frame
- 3 to 4-inch brush
- Tinted latex primer
- Tan-tone latex paint
Step 1
Spread heavy-duty fabric or plastic drop cloths on the floor surrounding the red brick fireplace. Use the coarse brush to scrub away cobwebs, dirt, and dust from the surface of the red brick fireplace. Wash away any remaining dust and dirt with a wet rag. Allow the red brick fireplace to dry completely.
Step 2
Use the blue painter’s tape to cover any and all areas you don’t want to be painted. Pour the tinted latex primer into the 5-gallon bucket. Fill it only about halfway. Place the paint roller screen into the 5-gallon bucket. Slip the roller cover onto the roller frame.
Step 3
Dip the roller into the 5-gallon bucket filled with tinted primer and saturate the paint roller cover completely. Rub the paint roller cover against the paint roller screen to rid it of excess primer. Use the roller to apply the tinted primer to the red brick fireplace. Continue applying the tinted primer moving from left to right until you have covered as much of the red brick fireplace as possible. Use the paintbrush to apply the tinted primer to any areas that were inaccessible to the roller. Dab the paintbrush against the mortar between the bricks over and over to ensure that the tiny holes within the mortar are filled with the tinted primer. Allow the primer to dry for two hours.
Step 4
Clean the 5-gallon bucket, roller frame, paint roller screen, paint roller cover, and paintbrush with warm water. Shake the paint roller cover and the paintbrush vigorously to remove excess water.
Step 5
Open the container of tan-tone paint. Pour the tan-tone paint into the 5-gallon bucket. Fill it only about halfway. Insert the paint roller screen into the 5-gallon bucket of tan-tone paint. Slide the cleaned roller cover onto the roller frame.
Step 6
Dip the roller into the 5-gallon bucket of tan-tone paint and saturate the paint roller cover completely. Rub the paint roller cover against the paint roller screen to rid it of excess paint. Use the roller to paint the red brick fireplace. Continue painting, moving from left to right until you have covered as much of the red brick fireplace as possible. Use the paintbrush to paint any areas that were inaccessible to the roller. Allow the paint to dry for two hours. Apply a second coat to the fireplace if necessary. Remove the blue painter’s tape and the drop cloths.
Cautions
Although you can use a white primer instead of a tinted primer, this may result in you having to apply extra coats of tan-tone paint to ensure proper coverage. Never try to paint a red brick fireplace without priming it first. An initial coat of primer is necessary to block any smoke stains and promote adhesion. If you skip this step in how to paint a red brick fireplace in a tan tone, you will end up peeling.
