How to Paint a Rock Fireplace

When a rock fireplace becomes stained with smoke, it can really become an eyesore. Fortunately, a coat of latex paint can rejuvenate the look of a rock fireplace as long as it is properly applied.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic or drop cloths
• 80- to 120-grit sandpaper
• Coarse brush
• Rags
• Blue painter's tape
• Five-gallon bucket
• Paint roller cover
• Paint roller screen
• Roller frame
• 3 to 4-inch brush
• Latex primer
• Latex paint

Instructions

1. Spread plastic or heavy-duty fabric drop cloths on the floor around the rock fireplace. Use the 80 to 120 grit sandpaper to sand down any loose bits of mortar and concrete.

2. Use the coarse brush to scrub away dust and dirt from the surface of the rock fireplace. Wipe the rock fireplace down with a wet rage. Allow the rock fireplace to dry.

3. Use blue painter's tape to cover any areas you don't want painted. Pour the primer into the five-gallon bucket, filling it about half-way.

4. Insert the paint roller screen into the five-gallon bucket. Slide the roller cover onto the roller frame.

5. Dip the roller into the five-gallon bucket and saturate the paint roller cover with primer. Rub the paint roller cover against the paint roller screen to remove excess primer.

6. Use the roller to apply primer to the rock fireplace. Continue applying primer moving from left to right until you have covered as much of the rock fireplace as possible. Use the paintbrush to apply primer to any areas that were inaccessible to the roller. Dab the paintbrush against the mortar vigorously to ensure that the tiny holes within the mortar are filled with primer.

7. Clean the five-gallon bucket, roller frame, paint roller screen, paint roller cover and the paintbrush with warm water. Use your hands to ring away the paint until the water draining from each tool looks clear. Shake the paint roller cover and the paintbrush vigorously to remove excess water.

8. Pour the paint into the five-gallon bucket filling it about half-way. Insert the paint roller screen into the five-gallon bucket. Slide the cleaned roller cover onto the roller frame.

9. Dip the roller into the five-gallon bucket and saturate the paint roller cover with paint. Rub the paint roller cover against the paint roller screen to remove excess paint.

10. Use the roller to paint the rock fireplace. Continue painting, moving from left to right until you have covered as much of the rock fireplace as possible. Use the paintbrush to paint any areas that were inaccessible to the roller. Apply a second coat if necessary. Remove the blue painter's tape and the drop cloths.

Tips & Warnings

• You may use a rolling pan instead of a five-gallon nucket. However, five-gallon buckets are less messy and allow you to work with more paint resulting in a quicker application process.

• Never try to paint a brick fireplace without priming it first. An initial coat of primer is necessary to block any smoke stains and to promote adhesion. If you skip this step, you will end up with peeling.

References

• Painting tips

Resources

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