How to Whitewash a Brick Fireplace
Whitewashing a brick fireplace is an easy and inexpensive way to give it a nice facelift. Learn how to whitewash a brick fireplace in this Lowe’s video:
Steps 1 and 2 below are for unpainted brick:
1. Surface Preparation
Inspect the mortar to make sure there are no gaps or cracks. Mask off the mantel and trim and put down drop cloths to protect the floor. Make sure the brick is clean of any dirt and debris before applying any paint; the easiest way to do this is to use trisodium phosphate (TSP) and a scrub brush. Take special care to remove any soot from around the fireplace opening. Once clean, rinse the brick with water. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and be sure to allow the brick to dry completely before you start your painting process.
2. Whitewashing
The whitewashing technique is a watered down paint technique and essentially gives a surface a more translucent look. For a fireplace, you want some of the brick to come through without totally painting over it. Use a 3:1 ratio of three parts water to one part paint and mix them together. Experiment with your water to paint ratio to get the consistency that you like. If you want it to be more see-through, go with more water; if you want more solid coverage, use less water.
Test your whitewash solution in a small inconspicuous area to make sure it’s the finish you want. Add more water to more paint to get the look you want.
Once you’re satisfied with the look from your test area, apply the whitewash to a small section of the fireplace. You can remove paint from certain areas using a rag to get a bit more contract; if you take off too much with the rag, you can go back and brush it on again. Wait a few minutes to allow the paint to be fully absorbed into the brick to see what the true finished product will look like. If you accidentally apply too much paint on the brick at first, wipe it clean using mild detergent and water while the paint is still wet.
Once you’re satisfied with the look, start painting by working from the top down. The paint solution will be very drippy, and you don’t want it to run down on areas you’ve already painted. A chip brush is an inexpensive brush that works very well for this process as it gets into the nooks and crannies of the brick. As this work is rough on the brush, have two or three brushes available. Apply the paint a few bricks at a time and go back afterwards to dab with the rag. Note that you will not be painting the inside of the fireplace as it will be in contact with flames.
If you already have painted brick, you can still achieve a whitewashed look.
1. Complete surface preparation as in Step 1.
2. Select a slightly darker paint than the existing paint on the fireplace as you want to create contrast.
3. Cut a sponge the size of your brick. Dampen the sponge and wring it out enough to stop it from dripping.
4. Dip the sponge in the paint and blot out any excess onto a scrap piece of cardboard or paper.
5. Take the painted side of the sponge and press onto each of your bricks. You can vary how much paint you put onto each brick to create a more natural look. This is a great option for a fresh look on already painted brick.
