Removing Paint From a Brick Fireplace
Heat Gun
For certain types of paint and brick a heat gun will work well to remove the paint. This works best if the brick is not more than 30 years old and there is only one or two layers of paint. Be careful not to hold the heat gun in one area for too long. Although fireplace brick is designed to take heat, older brick further away from the source of the flames may not take intense direct heat well. The heat gun should cause the paint to bubble and peel away from the brick surface. If it does not, you will need to try another method.
Chemical Removal
There are a number of chemical products designed for removing paint from brick. One used by and recommended by many professionals is Peel Away by Dumond Chemicals. As with any chemical, you should test first in an inconspicuous area to make sure that it only removes the paint and does not discolor or damage your brick. Most chemical removers will work well to easily remove paint from brick, but can be messy and fumes can be a problem, especially in winter months when it's hard to leave windows open for proper ventilation.
Coat the brick with the product and allow it to sit for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer. This can vary from two to twenty-four hours, depending on the strength of the chemical and the type and amount of paint being removed. Scrape the paint and chemical remover away with a putty knife, using a wire brush for difficult areas. Rinse or wipe down the brick after removal and allow it to dry thoroughly. Some chemical removers require an application of a neutralizer following removal of the paint. Check your product label to see if a neutralizer is recommended.
Sandblasting
This is a common method of removing paint from a brick fireplace. Its biggest advantage is that it is quick, requires less physical labor and does not rely on potentially harmful chemicals. Disadvantages are that it is messy, requires special equipment and can be expensive if you have to either rent equipment or hire someone to do the sandblasting. Sandblasting also has the potential to damage the brick and mortar. You should have your fireplace inspected for damage before using it if you choose to use sandblasting.
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