Trust us, scrubbing paint off hardwood is a party you want to skip.
Lay down a canvas or plastic drop cloth around the area and secure it with painter’s tape to keep it from shifting and save yourself cleaning up later.
Prepping With Brushing And Repairs
Don’t even think about popping that paint can open without prepping the brick first.
A wire brush will be your best friend for removing loose mortar and any flaking paint.
Plus, if you find any cracks or damage, seal those up with acrylic caulk and let it dry completely before moving on.
Soot Be Gone
Sure, soot may add character, but it is not good for your paint job. So, if your fireplace has it, use a mixture of dish soap and warm water to scrub it off.
Or, you can get a specialized masonry cleaner. Either way, just ensure that the fireplace is fully dry before proceeding to the next steps.
The Art Of Taping
Precision is key unless you’re going for the ‘dripped paint everywhere’ aesthetic (not recommended).