Replies

1. 
   jimmar | Sep 02, 2007 03:02am | #1

   I'e painted a bit of brick, and cleaning it with a wire brush (shopvac at the ready) is a necessary first:don't let the dust fly about (as it would if you use a powered brush) because the cleanup will substantially increase asymptotically. You'll never clean it all up.
   As for paint, it's your choice. Latex works well, and is a good primer if enamel (gloss) is your end coat.If the entire surround including the mantel is brick, a glossy wipeable finish is necessary on account of the need to wipe soot off the mantle from time to time.

1. 
   Woodman880 | Sep 02, 2007 04:03am | #2

   I usually stay away from oil paints but I was thinking about using an oil based paint on the brick, unless there is a good reason not to do so.

1. 
   jimmar | Sep 02, 2007 04:22am | #3

   Can't think of any,but modern latex enamels should be fine.

2. 
   jako17 | Sep 02, 2007 06:22am | #4

   I  use a benjamin moore acrylic which will self prime and is an oil modified acrylic. Check out their website for recommendations

1. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 02, 2007 05:47pm | #5

   benjamin moore acrylic ..Great paint.. Well, I like acrylic and my brothers wife use to work for then so I (edit) get Ol' Ben paint when I can..As posted.. BE SURE to clean and remove all dust before painting.

   Edited 9/2/2007 10:47 am by WillGeorge

3. 
   zolton | Sep 02, 2007 06:19pm | #6

   Woodman,

   I don't know if you've thought about this, but the next (potential) purchaser of your house may not like a painted brick fireplace. In my work as a newspaper columnist on home repair and home maintenance, one of the most frequent questions I get has to do with removing paint from brick fireplaces. A lot of people don't like paint on brick and are will to go to great lengths in order to remove it. And that's somthing rarely successful or easily achieved...

   Have you considered, instead of paint, staining the brick? I was surprised to learn, when researching this subject, that such stuff exists. That way you could keep the general look and texture of the brick, but perhaps modify its color to better fit in with your current decorating scheme.

   Or, alternatively, you could cover the brick with something else that would be removable should someone wish to do that in the future - a painted raised panel system, for instance.

   Just a suggestion or two for something you might not have considered...  Zolton

   * Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.

1. 
   Woodman880 | Sep 03, 2007 04:31am | #7

   I didn't know brick could be stained. I'll check on it.