How to paint a red brick fireplace

Types of heat resistant paint for bricks, stoves and fireplaces

Despite the popularity of finishing furnaces with ceramic tiles, quite often performed and painting brick heaters. This is due to a variety of tasks that can be solved by painting the surface of the heater, if you choose the right paint composition.

High-tech materials for painting brick stoves are produced today enough. In addition, the mortars made independently according to ancient recipes, the age of which is measured in centuries, are still successfully used.

To the result of painting the heating unit was successful and remained as long as possible, let’s take a closer look at the paint compositions of industrial production, united by the characteristics in the group “paint for stoves and fireplaces”.

Options for decorating brick ovens

Categories of organosilicon compounds

Heat-resistant enamel paints with silicon are suitable for painting brick ovens, as this component is able to withstand temperature overloads.

In addition, they include organic resins that help the surface to dry quickly, and aluminum powder that creates a layer that can withstand up to 600 degrees.

When buying enamel, you should pay attention to the labeling:

KO-811 is suitable for metallic surfaces (steel, cast iron, titanium) and for stone or brick. Such enamel paints are resistant to temperature jumps (heating and sudden cooling), and in the process of heating the applied layer becomes stronger;

Organosilicon enamel KO-811 is suitable for metal, stone and brick

How to beautifully decorate a brick oven in a modern interior

Such a hello from the past can very interestingly fit into the modern interior of your home and become its unique highlight.

Also, today it is very common interiors in the unrivaled chalet, interesting country style and in the mysterious shebby-chic. Their main feature is the naturalness of the building materials used and the overall interior in the room, as well as their environmental friendliness.

And as you have already understood in such a style of decoration of a house or room will fit perfectly the old Russian brick stove, which will be stylishly and unusually complemented by a variety of decorative elements.

The functions of the paint coating of the brick heater

Painting a stone heating device is performed for the following purposes:

• protecting the surface of the furnace from absorbed dirt and clothing from brick dust in contact with masonry;
• facilitating daily maintenance, i.e. maintaining the necessary sanitary and aesthetic condition;
• Raising the class of decorative design of the unit;
• Adapting the design of the heating device to the existing interior.

Coated with a colorless heat-resistant varnish brick heaters If the masonry is done without sorting the stone by color, then painting the body with a heat-resistant varnish (paint material) of one or more colors will correct the situation. But even a face brick stove will be transformed after the application of e.g. a colorless coating that gives the brickwork a juicy and matt appearance.

What paints to use

The decorative effect is very important, but some details must be taken into consideration. For example, a glossy surface is much less able to give off heat. For this reason, it is better to refrain from coating the stove with glossy paints, such as aluminum. If the stove is built according to all the rules, there is sufficient thickness of the hearth walls, the heating of the outer side can reach 80 degrees. Many synthetic compounds can withstand this temperature. These can include pentaphthalic paints, nitro paints and others.

As for many oil-based paints, which are based on natural olive, they darken during use, especially in those points that are the hottest. There are quite a few heat-resistant paints on the market that are ideal for painting fireplaces and stoves. The minus can be considered the fact that the choice of colors of such paints is rather limited. If this line of paints does not suit you and the color scheme does not match the interior, try using latex paint to paint the stove. Before applying it, it is necessary to treat the surface with a roughened primer.

Painting a brick fireplace

Many people believe that it is impossible to paint fireplaces and stoves, as there are no such paints. In fact, this is not so.

Modern manufacturers of paint and varnish products have long been producing heat-resistant paints that can withstand high enough temperatures, up to 1000 degrees.

To paint objects exposed to heat, such as radiators, fireplaces, stoves, chimneys, braziers, should use special, heat-resistant paint.

Many people will ask if objects that are exposed to high temperatures need to be treated at all?

The answer will be positive. Be sure to treat the following surfaces. The fact that painting surfaces is not only an aesthetic approach.

Unique, protective properties of heat-resistant enamels protect concrete, reinforced concrete, brick and asbestos surfaces from high temperatures and moisture.

Heat-resistant paint not only greatly improves the appearance of any object, but also keeps the vapor permeability of materials.

That in turn, will greatly increase the life of the object. When applying paint to masonry substrates, you should first brush on the joints.

After that, go over the entire surface with a roller. At this point you could finish the article, because we answered than to paint the brick fireplace. However, this would not be correct. In this article, we will tell you what to treat a brick mantel, in addition to painting.

Heat-resistant varnish for brick stoves and fireplaces

Fireplaces and stoves can be treated with heat-resistant varnishes. Covering the brick surface with lacquer is an alternative to painting.

If you want to preserve the texture of the brickwork and at the same time protect it from negative influences, then a coating of varnish is what you need.

Heat-resistant varnish coating protects the fireplace or stove.

• Keeps brickwork from cracking
• Protects bricks from excessive moisture absorption;
• Strengthens joints and prevents them from crumbling;
• Protects against dust and dirt buildup;
• Gives the brickwork a beautiful appearance.

In order to achieve the effect of gloss on the brickwork, it is necessary to cover the surface with varnish in 3 layers.

Heat-resistant varnish treatment of iron structures of the furnace or fireplace protects their surface from rust. A lacquered surface is easier to clean from dust and dirt.

What manufacturer to choose

Currently on the market a lot of manufacturers of heat-resistant paints and varnishes. Before giving preference to any company, you should compare prices, read customer reviews.

Pay attention to the surfaces for which this or that enamel is intended. What temperatures can withstand.

I would like to note that it is not necessary to purchase heat-resistant paint for the entire fireplace as a whole. Because the greater the temperature resistance, the more expensive the paint.

Before you make a calculation, how much heat-resistant paint for the surface that is in contact with an open flame will need.

The surface that heats less can be painted with the same company and the same color, but less heat-resistant.

Now, thanks to the Internet, you can choose any paint at manufacturer prices. However, when making a purchase, pay attention to the ways and costs of delivery. And also, which regions are delivered and which are not.

Other options for treating fireplaces and stoves

Nowadays, there are many ways to finish stoves and fireplaces.

• Painting a brick fireplace with heat-resistant paint;
• Painting a brick fireplace with heat-resistant varnish;
• Plastering the brick surface with a heat-resistant compound;
• Finishing fireplaces and stoves with tiles, and so on.

Whichever method you choose, pay attention to the high-temperature resistance of the finish.

Watch the video and listen to expert tips than to paint a brick fireplace:

Painting a brick fireplace

The fireplace serves not only as source of heat in the room, but also as a piece of the interior, sometimes becoming its central part. It keeps you warm and aesthetically pleasing. They can be gas, electric or wood-fired. The latter, stacked bricks, can give any room a special atmosphere of coziness and originality. Often, in order to harmoniously fit into the design of the room, it must be painted. Here are some variants of how and what to do it better.

Brick fireplace: to paint or leave as is?

One of the modern trends in interior design is to decorate living spaces with objects made of natural stone or bricks for purely decorative or functional purposes. The natural look and original structure of these materials look unusual and distinctive. Such a method is often used in the construction and tiling of fireplaces. The combination of rough brickwork and live flames looks especially beautiful.

Ordinary red brick is inexpensive, but not always of high quality. To hide flaws in the masonry and prevent its destruction, resort to painting. Painting makes the fireplace more groomed and imperfections invisible. If you choose an expensive and high-quality material for the construction of the fireplace, it will still not save from the need to paint it, because. к. Any material in the process of operation in conditions of high temperatures over time loses its original appearance and deteriorates.

Reasons why experienced professionals recommend painting brick fireplaces:

• protection against destruction;
• additional reinforcement of the unit;
• giving the construction a beautiful appearance, and the surface of the brick. a more saturated shade;
• Masking minor defects in the masonry and material;
• Improve the vapor permeability of bricks;
• increasing the service life of the furnace-heat generator;
• create a moisture-repellent coating.

What can you paint a fireplace?

The choice of paint materials for painting this attribute. an important point. When buying paint, you need to carefully study its composition and properties, t. к. the fireplace is used in special conditions. If there is no desire or possibility to spend money on an expensive painting agent you can just whitewash the heat generator itself. Whitewashing is a way to decorate a brick fireplace in a budget-friendly and original way.

What are the properties of the paint?

If the construction in question is not just a piece of furniture, but is used for its intended purpose, it cannot be painted with the first paint that comes to hand. The fireplace is exposed to high temperatures, so the paint should be resistant to the effects of fire, otherwise the coating will quickly crack and start blistering.

The exterior surface can be heated up to 90 ° C. Not every paint can withstand such high temperatures. If the construction is built according to all the rules, it should give the room at least half of its heat. In addition, the efficiency factor of the heater largely depends on the type of staining composition with which the fireplace is covered. A smooth surface has a worse heat transfer than a rough one, so it is better to refuse to use aluminum paint and its analogs.

Another important point is the color of the paint. The darker it is, the more intense the heat transfer will be. Apart from anything else, the coating composition must not emit any harmful substances, i.e. к. Fireplaces are usually located in living quarters. All these nuances must be taken into account when buying paint, otherwise the result will not meet expectations.

Suitable varieties of paint materials, brands

The table provides information about the types of paints for painting brick fireplaces:

Types of coating compounds	General Information	Labeling options	Deciphering
Alkyd	Designed for painting surfaces that are heated up to 100°. Have a pungent odor, do not create a very strong coating, do not withstand base temperature expansions well.	KO-811	Paint labeled in this way is designed to cover metal elements, stone and brick. It is resistant to sharp temperature fluctuations, and in the process of heating its coating becomes more durable.
Heat resistant acrylics	Deeply penetrating into the pores of the material, they create on the surface of the material a strong film. They have a wide range of colors.	KO-813	Paintwork materials with this marking are used for painting stoves and fireplaces installed in dry or humid premises. Thanks to the aluminum powder they resist the temperature up to 500 degrees. Possess antiseptic and anticorrosive properties.
Organosilicon	Suitable for painting all types of furnaces and heat generators, no matter if they are located indoors or outdoors. Affordable price, high adhesive ability, strength, moisture- and heat resistance, durability, flexibility. They have a small range of colors.	KO-8111	Such labeled paints are the most heat-resistant paints. They can withstand temperatures over 600°C.

Information on some popular brands of paint colors for painting brick furnace heaters:

Varnish and paint brand	Color	Gloss	Maximum temperature, degrees	Packaging
Elcon (varnish)	Transparent	Matte/SemiGloss	250	Spray can, can
Elcon (paint)	250 shades		250-1000	Spray can, can, bucket
Rust-Oleum Specialty High Heat	Transparent, black, aluminum	Matte	1090	Can
Motip	Transparent		650
Decorix		Glossy	250

Budget variants (whitewashing, etc.).)

Cheap to paint with your own hands stove-heater can be so-called grandfather’s methods: lime, chalk, clay, homemade paints. These methods have been used for a long time for decorating village stoves. A whitewashed or clayed fireplace in a modern house looks strange, to say the least, but in an old-style house or country house such a construction will fit perfectly into the general interior.

These methods of dyeing will also be appreciated by those who like everything natural. Information about them is presented in the table:

Budget options for staining agents	Preparation	Ways to change the color	Tools for application	Subtleties of Use
Lime	Dilute 1 kg of quicklime in 1.5 l of cold water.	Add artificial dye, brilliant blue or manganese to the ready-to-use product.	Large brush or roller.	Applied in several layers, no need to wait for each of the previous ones to dry.
Chalk	Powdered chalk, add water to the mix. Let the mixture infuse for 2-3 hours. Dilute 100g of carpentry or casein glue in 10l of water. Combine the chalk solution with glue.			Apply subsequent coats only after the previous ones have dried completely.
Clay	Dilute the clay with water to the consistency of liquid sour cream.	–		Applied in one coat.
Homemade paints	Mix PF-283 varnish with solvent or turpentine.			Subsequent layers are applied only after the previous ones are completely dry.

How to prepare the fireplace for painting?

Before painting, the structure must be properly prepared. Ignoring this procedure will lead to the fact that the paint will lay unevenly, quickly cracked and come off. Stages of preparing the fireplace for painting:

• To remove dust, dirt and cobwebs.
• Sanding metal parts with sandpaper (a fine grit paper is best).
• Removing grease stains. This should be done with a soft cloth soaked in salt solution.
• Remove soot with a hydrochloric acid solution.
• Removal of rust. Rusted areas are effectively cleaned with a cloth soaked in 10% copper sulfate solution.

If the fireplace is made of brick of poor quality, or it has significant defects, it should be plastered in 2 layers of plaster with lime-gypsum or lime-clay composition, to pass on the plastered surface of coarse and then fine sandpaper. After that you need to heat the stove a little. The paint is best if applied on a slightly warm surface. However, it is necessary to make sure by studying the manufacturer’s recommendations for the use of a particular paint.

How to Paint Properly?

You can paint with any paint tool. One convenient to do it with a brush, perhaps a roller. When using a roller, you must take into account that the painted surface will leave a characteristic pattern. To work in one direction only. downwards and upwards. If the construction consists of brick and metal parts, first its body is painted, t. е. The chimney. The areas near the door should be sealed with duct tape to prevent paint from accidentally getting into them.

Joints between bricks: disguise or highlight?

Disguise or highlight the joints between the bricks when painting the chimney. a matter of personal preference. However, the marked joints between the bricks give the structure a decorative appearance and emphasize the origin of the material, and the façade painted solid looks flat and uninteresting. To highlight the seams, transparent, sandy, with a yellowish tone, and even white paint colors are well suited.

To accentuate these elements, you can use a mixture consisting of equal parts of PF-283 varnish and turpentine. Such a coating will turn out transparent and matte. To obtain the paint, you must add dry gouache of the desired color to the product.

Hopefully, the above recommendations are enough to do the job with your own hands. The following video will undoubtedly help the perception of the stated.

Requirements for stove paints

Any paint composition used must be able to withstand high temperature conditions. this is the main indicator by which to make a choice.

Depending on the degree of resistance to high temperature conditions, paint can be:

• Fireproof. It is best used for painting metal devices to create a reliable coating against corrosion changes, the effects of aggressive combustion products. It has to withstand temperatures up to 1800 °C. The only disadvantage of such paint. the high cost.
• Heat-resistant. Such a composition can be used to protect the metal parts of the fireplace, stove, as well as the steel casing of the heater. Working temperature in the range 600. 1000 °C. And for the painting of stone elements of furnaces, chimneys, suitable paint to withstand temperatures in the range of 200-400 ° C. Varnishes with a temperature resistance of 250-450 °C are suitable for this application.

Flame retardant compositions and high-temperature paints for stoves, fireplaces with a similar name have a completely different purpose. the former are needed to process surfaces from the outside against fire

In addition to the level of resistance to elevated temperatures, the paint composition must meet these requirements:

• Safe, because heating can emit substances harmful to human health.
• With sufficient thermal conductivity. there must be no obstructions to heat exchange between the surface of the fireplace, the oven, and the air in the room.
• Resistance to chemical attack. Neither the appearance of the painted surface, nor the physical properties of the composition should not be lost in the process of heating.
• Elasticity. Paint composition should not crack during use. Often with the wrong paint in terms of temperature fluctuations painted surface starts to crack, peel, flake.
• With a high level of saturation, even after the application of three coats, the coating must be monochrome.

Techniques for decorating a fireplace

The method of stylization can be used such as emphasizing the seams. The fact that the masked seams look uninteresting, and the lightened ones look unusual, creative. For masonry standard brick colors usually use sandy, yellowish or white paint, which is applied in the joints with a thin brush. In the absence of paint, mix in equal proportions turpentine and varnish, add a drop of gouache and use the composition in the same way.

You can also decorate the fireplace in other ways:

How to Paint a BRICK Fireplace!

• Perform a paint pattern on the front surface of the structure;
• make a stencil drawing;
• paint the metal elements with a contrasting color;
• create an imitation of a worn-out, aged look on the surface of the masonry (for example, with translucent strokes of lighter paint).

Contrasting decorations

You don’t have to be afraid to experiment. Even with your own hands you can completely transform an old fireplace, to make a chic and exquisite interior decoration out of a banal structure.