Now that Christmas is over and you're taking down the stockings, you may notice the mantle looks a bit dingy. How long has it been since it had been painted? Has it ever been painted?

A fireplace, working or not, can be a beautiful fixture. During the holidays, you may adorn yours with stockings, tinsel, or candles. But do you feel something other than cozy when you look at your mantle? Whether your fireplace just needs a little touching up or whether it’s such a disaster you’re afraid even St. Nick wouldn’t touch it, check below for some pro tips for applying interior paint to your fireplace or mantle.

Clean, Clean, Clean
If you have a brick fireplace, the first thing you’ll need to do is clean it. Done? Then clean it again. And maybe once more for good measure. In order for your paint to adhere to the brick, you’ll need to get the bricks completely free to dirt, dust, and debris. To do this most effectively, it’s important to use high quality wire scrub brushes and a cleaner like non-sudsy trisodium phosphate. Doing a professional job with your cleaning is vital, so in order to ensure that your fireplace is ready for painting, you’ll want to enlist a  professional.

Prep the Surface
To help the paint stick and stay, and to protect your paint from soot (if you have a working fireplace), use an oil-based primer. Look for one that is stain-blocking for extra protection. The team of painting contractors at Lancaster is filled with experts on surface preparation.

Choose Your Paint
If you have a working fireplace, you’ll need to choose a paint brand that can handle high temperatures. So make sure to pick out an indoor latex paint or brick paint that is formulated to deal with temperatures up to about 200 degrees. Working fireplace or not, you’ll definitely want a roller that’s made to paint bumpy and textured surfaces. Semigloss or glossy paint are your best paint types for this job, as they’re built to handle moisture, heat, and frequent cleanings. 

Does all of that sound a little overwhelming? Do you want a pristine backdrop for your stockings without spending all that time cleaning, prepping, and painting? If you don’t to devote all your energy to yet another paint job, and if want your a more welcoming entryway to St. Nick next holiday season, or if you simply want to transform your tired brick or stone fireplace into a beautiful, fresh focal point,  Lancaster Painting  has the team for you. There’s no one better in Turlock and the surrounding areas to give your fireplace or mantle the makeover it deserves: in December, and all year round.