How to Remove Paint from a Brick Fireplace

Finding an original brick fireplace under layers of paint can feel like uncovering a hidden gem. Many older homes have unique brickwork that’s been covered up over time. Painting brick can make a room brighter, but it often hides the character that makes these features stand out. If you want to restore your fireplace to its original appearance, this guide will help you get started. Removing paint from brick is a challenging, messy, but ultimately rewarding DIY project. It requires patience and the right materials, but seeing the original brick emerge is worth the effort. Unfortunately, many online guides focus on how to paint brick, leaving homeowners with few resources on how to reverse the process. This guide will take you through each step of removing paint from your brick fireplace. You’ll learn what supplies to get and how to clean up at the end, all based on a real restoration project. Follow these steps to restore your fireplace confidently.

Preparing for Paint Removal

Before you begin, gather all your supplies and prepare your workspace. This project can get very messy, so protecting your home now will save you a lot of trouble later.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

You can start by visiting your local hardware store. The most important thing you’ll need is a chemical paint stripper. For painted brick, a product like Multi-Strip works well because it can remove several layers of paint. (Removing Paint from a Brick Fireplace: pt. 1, 2017) Here’s a list of what you’ll need: Chemical paint stripper: A multiple-layer remover like Multi-Strip. Application tools: A cheap paintbrush you don’t mind throwing away. Scraping tools: Putty knives and an assortment of wire brushes. Cleaning supplies: Sponges, buckets, and warm water.

• Protective gear: Heavy-duty gloves (nitrile gloves may dissolve) (Change in tensile properties of neoprene and nitrile gloves after repeated exposures to acetone and thermal decontamination, 2005, pp. 1-7), old clothes, and safety glasses.
• Workspace protection: Plastic tarps and painter’s tape (avoid duct tape, as it can damage walls (Best Tape That Doesn’t Damage Walls: Safe & Easy Solutions, 2025).

Step 2: Prep the Room

Getting ready is important to keep the mess under control. Move all furniture out of the room or cover it well if you can’t move it. If you’re able, remove the fireplace mantle as well. Next, lay down a plastic tarp on the floor around the fireplace. Extend it several feet out to catch any stray paint drips and debris. Use painter’s tape to secure the edges of the tarp to the floor and baseboards, creating a sealed-off area. This will protect your flooring from the chemical stripper and scraped paint. Remember to tape off surrounding walls and any outlets or switches. Stripping the Paint from Your Brick Once your space is ready, you can start removing the paint. You’ll need to apply the stripper, wait for it to work, and then scrape off the old paint. You may need to repeat these steps, as one round is usually insufficient for multiple layers.

Step 3: Apply the Paint Stripper

The paint stripper will have a thick, gel-like consistency. Using your cheap paintbrush, apply a thick, even layer of the stripper over the entire painted brick surface. Don’t be shy with the application—a thicker coat will be more effective and can make the scraping process easier. Ensure you cover all the bricks and mortar joints thoroughly.

Step 4: Wait Patiently

This might be the most challenging part of the process. After applying the stripper, allow it to sit and do its job. The product instructions will provide a specific timeframe; however, for thick layers of paint on brick, it’s best to wait at least 24 to 48 hours. (The Dos and Don’ts of Painting a Brick Fireplace, 2025) You’ll start to see the paint bubbling and peeling, which is a sign that the stripper is working. Could you resist the temptation to begin scraping too early?

Step 5: Scrape and Scrub

After waiting, put on your protective gear and get ready to scrape. Using your putty knife and wire brushes, begin to scrape the paint off the brick methodically. The paint should come off in a gooey, messy sludge. Work in small sections, tossing the paint scraps into a garbage bag as you go. This is a labour-intensive and dirty process, so take your time. Once you’ve scraped off as much paint as possible, it’s time to scrub. Fill a bucket with warm water and use your wire brushes to wash down the brick and mortar. This helps remove any remaining stripper residue and minor paint flecks. Finally, use sponges and fresh warm water to rinse the entire surface.

Step 6: Repeat the Process

Often, one round won’t be enough, especially if there are several layers of paint. After your first cleaning, you’ll probably notice some paint still stuck to the brick. You’ll need to repeat the entire process: apply another thick coat of stripper, wait two days, and then scrape and scrub again. In one restoration project, homeowners found three layers of paint, including a pink one, before reaching the toughest layer. The first two rounds of stripping removed the latex paint, but an off-white, oil-based paint underneath was barely affected. (Removing Paint from a Brick Fireplace, Pt. 1, 2017) This suggests that you may need to adjust your approach based on the types of paint you encounter.

What We’ve Learned

Removing paint from a brick fireplace is a serious undertaking that can yield beautiful results, but it’s essential to approach it with realistic expectations. The process is slow, messy, and physically demanding. The main thing to remember is that painting brick is almost permanent. Undoing it requires a significant amount of time and effort. (Removing paint from a brick fireplace, pt. 1, 2017) Before you paint your brick, think about other ways to brighten your room. If you do decide to paint, make sure it’s a style you’ll be happy with for years, since it’s very hard to reverse.