How To Seal Brick Fireplace

How To Seal Brick Fireplace – Give your fireplace a faux finish that mimics what you’d find in old European farmhouses with German grout.

A fireplace can become the star of your home: the center of attention that sets the tone for the style of a room or even the whole house. Updating an old fireplace can make a world of difference in the look of your room. But for most people, it’s too difficult and expensive to completely replace an old brick fireplace. But there is another option: to give the fireplace an artificial finish that imitates the look of old European country houses.

How To Seal Brick Fireplace

Simulating the look of old European farmhouses using the German brush technique, apply white mortar to create tight mortar lines, then smear excess mortar onto the surface of the fireplace to create the illusion of irregularly shaped bricks.

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The technique goes by several names: the washing solution, the German dough, or the German smear (isn’t that what you do with a bagel?). But whatever you call it, this simple project will transform a plain brick fireplace into a bright and cozy centerpiece.

To mimic the look of old European farmhouses, white mortar is applied to create thick grout lines and excess mortar is brushed over the surface to create the illusion of irregularly shaped bricks. You won’t believe how quickly, easily, and cheaply you can redo that ugly brick.

German plasters are similar in appearance to whitewashed bricks, but are easier to execute. The technique adds texture and “visual weight” for a more worn finish that draws attention to detail.

As with almost any DIY project, prep work is essential. Grout can be a bit tricky to work with, so you’ll want to make sure your floors and walls are well protected before you start on the fireplace surround (Picture 1). Remove any trim around the brick (image 2). Lay aluminum foil or brown paper along the length of the brick (image 3) and tape the edges together (image 4).

Old Brick Fireplace Hi Res Stock Photography And Images

Starting with a clean brick is a must for a perfect white finish. Any oily residue (such as soot or dust) on the brick surface can seep in and contaminate the mortar, turning the finish gray or brown. First, vacuum the entire surface of the brick with a shop vac. Then clean the brick well with a cloth with a solution of detergent and water. Make sure you get into all the cracks and crevices. Repeat this process until the clean, damp cloth no longer picks up residue. To further ensure a bright white finish, compact the brick with a sponge roller and brick sealer. Let dry overnight.

If dry mortar isn’t mixed in the right ratio, it will crumble when dry, so instead of trying to mix it yourself, just start with a bucket of pre-mixed mortar. Prepare a piping bag for your solution. You can buy bags of mortar or bags for cupcakes. But most likely, the easiest and cheapest option is already in your kitchen. Cut a small corner of a heavy-duty zip-lock freezer bag (image 1) and fill with the pre-mixed solution (images 2 and 3). Zip at the top of the bag to avoid a big mess.

Start working on an inconspicuous area first to give yourself time to practice the technique. Gently squeeze the bag so that the ball of solution passes inside the solution line (image 1). The deeper your grout lines, the more grout you will need. It is easier to fill all the holes with a piping bag than with a spatula (photo 2).

Take a trowel and, with the blade at a 45 degree angle, clean the excess mortar from the joint of the adjacent bricks (Image 1). Continue the process over the brick surface, working in 1-foot sections. You don’t have to be exact. In fact, technology looks best when it’s smeared in multiple directions. Completely cover several bricks with a small amount of mortar; cover some with a thick layer and leave some spots unresolved (image 2). This job does not require perfection. An uneven finish with some heavy and some lighter parts of the solution will look even more authentic. Additional resolution may be required for some sections. You can apply more to the wall or use a putty knife to scoop and spread. In some areas, you may prefer less resolution. Scrape off the excess with the blade of a knife, then scrape it back into the bucket. As you move across the surface, step back from time to time to check your progress (Figure 3). Make sure you are happy with the amount of brick that looks and the thickness of your mortar. Err on the positive side. Even after the solution dries, you can easily go back and add more solution.

Painting A Brick Fireplace: The Ultimate How To Guide

Don’t worry if you think you’ve made a mistake or used too much solution. At any time, you can wipe off almost all of the solution particle with a damp sponge. Then it’s just a matter of starting over. You can also use a sponge to clean small areas of the mortar that reveal brick elements.

Allow the chimney to dry overnight. The solution adheres very well to the brick and does not crumble over time. Once dry, you can enjoy your newly transformed fireplace for a lifetime. There is no need to compress the solution. Clean soot or dust with a mixture of vinegar and water, a common household cleaner, or a cleaner specifically designed to clean soot surfaces. For heavy-duty cleaning, scrub with a stiff-bristled nylon brush.

If your brick fireplace looks dated or has stains and discoloration, it’s time to refresh it with a quick coat of paint.

Whether you’re trying to find a color to match an existing wall color, or getting your color from an upholstered sofa, family heirloom, or favorite flower, here’s how to get the perfect color in a can of paint.

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Also, make a bag out of a template and give this grooming kit as a perfect DIY gift for men. Brick fireplaces are great, but they often look dated, dark, and dirty. Instead of living with the boring and drab look, learn how to paint a brick fireplace to give your space a new look.

When it comes to fireplaces, brick is by far the most popular material for the surrounding wall. It is affordable and its non-flammable properties make it a practical choice. But as brick ages, it deteriorates, loses its color, and accumulates dirt and dust. Give your fireplace a new look by learning how to paint a brick fireplace.

Note. The most popular color for painting brick fireplaces is white, but the following steps apply to any color.

Painting a brick fireplace does not take all day, but there is a certain order that must be followed to get the perfect painted brick fireplace look. The following steps take you from preparation to finished product.

How To Whitewash Brick

Even well-maintained fireplaces are too dirty to paint, so it’s worth prepping and cleaning. Start by removing the fireplace surround, if present; it is usually enough to unscrew a few screws on the inside of the case.

With the framing removed and all of the brick exposed, take a wire brush and lightly scrub the brick and mortar joints. This will dislodge any debris, bits of dirt, and solution that can affect the paint. Use a wet-dry vacuum to remove dust.

After dusting, it’s time to clean the surface to remove any soot, chemicals, oils, and anything else that might be on the brick. Put on rubber gloves, a respirator, and a pair of safety glasses, and mix the trisodium phosphate solution according to the instructions. Use a bucket and sponge to clean the brick.

After removing all debris, soot, and dirt, allow the chimney to dry for several hours. In the meantime, use masking tape and rags to protect the wall, fireplace, mantle, and other surfaces you don’t want painted. Take your time with this step, as the brick needs to dry out anyway, and the more effort you put in now, the less cleanup you’ll have to do later.

How To Paint Brick And Stone

Before painting a brick fireplace, the porous surfaces of the mortar and brick must be sealed. Using a product specifically formulated to seal masonry ensures that these pores do not absorb paint, requiring fewer coats and ultimately a better result. And the sealer prevents smudging and creates an even base coat for a clean finish, especially important if you’ve chosen white.

Place coating in paint pan and pour approximately ¼ gallon

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