Fireplaces!

It seems to be fireplace week at Teknicolors. We have had many customer visit us looking for solutions for their fireplaces. Some have old, outdated brick and some have a painted fireplace that either doesn't match the decor, has a bad paint job, or both. So I would like to cover a few solutions. Today I will cover how to prepare and paint a bare brick fireplace. I will also cover the basic painting today and get into some decorative techniques in the coming days.

The first step is to clean the brick as best as you can. Obviously brick is a very porous substrate and you won't be able to get all the soot and dust off of it. A vacuum attachment with a brush should help to get the dust off. You can wash the bricks with mild household cleaner. Dirtex works well. After cleaning, make sure the bricks are thoroughly dry.

Now that the surface is clean and dry, you can prime it. Make sure you use a primer for the surface you are painting. I am assuming most people have a bare brick fireplace but some of you might have sealed or glazed brick. We carry a product called Grip & Seal that will work on any of these surfaces. If you do have bare brick, plan on using almost twice as much primer as you think you need. Keep in mind you are covering a porous surface and there is the space between the bricks to cover as well. After you have the primer on, let it dry a minimum of 8 hours. The instructions on the can might say it will dry sooner but you want to be sure that all the areas are thoroughly dry before painting.

What kind and color of paint depend on what look you are trying to achieve. A white gloss paint will give you a crisp, clean look that will stand out in any decor. A muted color in a flat finish will make your fireplace blend with the surroundings. A bold color will make your fireplace stand out and become a dramatic backdrop for modern or contemporary artwork. Think about the feel you want for your room. Do you want the fireplace to be the focal point? Then go with a contrasting color. Do you want it to blend with the rest of the room? Then choose the same or similar color as the rest of the walls. Do you want it to become a backdrop for your art? Choose a color found in your art that flows with the rest of the colors in the room. The possibilities are endless!

Check back tomorrow for some painting techniques to transform your fireplace.