Five Steps to Stain Your Brick FirePlace

The process of staining a brick fireplace is similar to our easy to fallow brick staining process but has some differences that are worth noting. Follow this process to learn the nuanced approach of how to stain brick fireplaces to restore them to their former glory. This will make it the center of attention in any room in the house. You can perform the process on both the exterior and interior bricks of the fireplace. However, you should only need to do this to some of the interior bricks as the majority will be covered in soot, therefore making a full staining fruitless.

 

Step 1 – Check for absorption

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Seeing as this piece of brick work is within your home, you need perform this step with caution. This is can be relatively easy with our professional tip. Use a regular cup of water and a paint brush and perform light strokes over the surface you want to stain. You’re good to go if the surface absorbs the water. If the water beads and rolls down the surface, you need remove whatever is keeping the water from going into the brick. A light lacquer thinner should do the trick but a stronger brick sealant might be needed. Make sure your work area is well ventilated regardless of whatever remover your end up using. These are chemicals and should be handled with the responsibility that comes with them. You can perform this on the inside of your fireplace, but we recommend that you only go as far as the soot line. Staining beyond that is pointless, as your work will be quickly covered up by new layers of soot. Once all the bricks are able to absorb the compound, you are ready to move on to the next step.

 

Step 2 – Clean the interior surfaces you wish to work with

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Because the fireplace is located in your home, it won’t be subject to the same dirt and grime as an exterior wall. With the assumption that the exterior of your fire place is clean, we recommend cleaning the interior bricks you want to stain. This doesn’t have to be a back-breaking labor. There are products available on the market that are designed for this task and will do just fine. You can also make your own cleaning solution with equal parts water and vinegar if you don’t want to use a chemical-based cleaner. Spray the bricks you want to clean and allow to soak in. Then lightly scrub with an abrasive, such as a sponge. Rinse again with the solution and repeat these steps until clean.

 

Step 3 – Purchase one of our staining kits

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The Colorant Kit is be a smart purchase for staining a brick fireplace. This kit is designed for do-it-yourself types and a one-time use. You’ll be able to cover 150 to 200 sq ft, depending on which mix you use. You can reorder all five colors easily and we offer 20 additional colors if you’re looking for something different.   

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Step 4- Develop a stain recipe for your fireplace

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Here you combine the different colors to develop a color scheme that fits your home.

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1. Are you recoloring some bricks, or are you doing a complete overhaul? Our kit can take care of your project either way. It is highly recommended that you use the principles of standard color theory (green and red make brown, black and white make gray, etc.).

2. Once you know the colors you want to use, combine dyes to create them.  Make sure that you write out what you’re doing so you know what combinations lead to the right color. Make sure you start with small portions and build up. Our dyes are potent, so a little goes a long way. You can perform small tests on loose bricks to make sure your formula is just right. Let the dye dry for 30 minutes to determine the final color. 

 

Step 5 – Stain your fireplace

 

1. This is where your prework pays off. Start with random patterns to see what your fireplace will look like. This way you can try designs without committing to them. Many people like to have random bricks slightly darker than the rest. Add some dark pigments to a duplicate batch to accomplish this look. 

2. Now use the remaining lighter dyes to finish your fireplace. Like any brick staining project, you should stick to a random dyeing pattern to give off a natural look and use complete brush strokes as not to splatter. Strain your brush after every use and use an appropriate amount of stain. Since as this project is within your home, a painter’s protective cloth would be a good idea to protect your floor.

 

By following these easy steps, you’ll understand how to stain a brick fireplace. Through repeating the process, you will be able to stain any brick or stone surface in your home.