Painting a brick fireplace

[Sigarms]

Doing some work down in the basement, and one project I'd like to start is painting our otherwise dull looking "straight forward" brick fireplace. Looking to get something that will go with the new carpet we're putting down.

Any tips (such as prepping the brick)? I'm figuring it shouldn't be rocket science, but never painted brick before.

Thanks

 

[MikeInEburg]

Just remember that once painted, they are very difficult to un-paint.

Is this a working fireplace? If so, remember that you'll likely get some smoke residue.

Prep with wire brush. Use masonry paint.

Mike

 

[rswyan]

Any tips (such as prepping the brick)?

When I was growing up the house we lived in had a fireplace and hearth that was faced on the outside with a red glazed brick which had a very shiney surface, with typical gray mortar/grout ... the whole thing looked pretty unexceptional ....

After my parent sold the house, the new opener came in and painted all the grout - which actually looked (and probably was), quite dirty ..... a very bright white gloss .....

Really set off the fireplace and completely changed the look of the room (for the better )