How to Paint Brass Fireplace Fixtures

Paint brass fixtures to update their look.

The fireplace is intended to be the focal point of your living space. It centers the room and provides a warm and cozy backdrop for the furniture and artwork in the room. Brass knobs, vents and hinges may be outdating your fireplace. Replacing the fixtures on a fireplace can be difficult. Finding the right size to fit your fireplace model may be impossible. Refinish the fixtures with paint for a completely new look.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Tarp
• Ammonia-based cleaner
• Rags
• Spray primer
• Spray paint
• Spray polyurethane

Instructions

1. Remove the fixtures from the fireplace, using a screwdriver. Lay them outside on a tarp. Spray paint will drift and stain other items in your home. It is best to work with spray paint outside.

2. Clean brass fixtures with an ammonia-based cleaner and rags. Wipe away all residues from the surface of the brass. Allow the fixtures to dry completely.

3. Spray on a bonding primer that will adhere to slick surfaces, using a steady back-and-forth motion. Apply one to two thin coats of primer. Allow the primer to dry completely.

4. Paint the fixtures with spray paint for metal. Hold the spray can six to eight inches from the surface. Move the spray in a steady back-and-forth motion. Apply a thin coat and allow the paint to dry to the touch. Apply three to four additional coats. Allow the final coat to dry for four hours.

5. Apply three coats of polyurethane spray to the brass fixtures. Allow the polyurethane to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint is available in a wide range of finishes. Use a paint that imitates iron, stainless steel or a number of other finishes.

• Many gas fireplaces have metal plating that frames the outside of the fireplace. You can refinish the metal frame using the same techniques used to paint the brass fixtures. Consider decorating the frame by hand-painting or stenciling a design around the frame.

References

• Rust-Oleum: Chandelier
• Be Jane: Paint Brass