Scrub with an old toothbrush or scrub brush to get the dirt off. Dry stones with a towel or paper towel and let air dry completely. Sand off any gritty parts or buff any polished rocks with sandpaper. You can smooth Elmer’s wood filler over a rock’s holes, dimples, or cracks to even it out before priming. StoneLux is the UK’s leading manufacturer of stone effect paints. Our products look, feel and weather like natural stone. FIREPLACE PAINT. More fireplace stone coating ›. 30mm x 120mm Stippling Brush. Regular price £4.19 £4.19. MINIATURE PAINT. More miniature stone coating ›. What kind of paint do you use for stone painting? If you prefer to paint your rock with paint and a brush, you’ll want to grab some acrylic paints. Prices can range all over, but you will want to spend a little to get good coverage on your rocks. The difference in price will make a big difference in the number of coats you will have to use.
Prepping the stone fireplace for painting is probably the most important part of doing the job right. Remove everything from the fireplace and from around the work area, such as fireplace screens and tools, and any decorative items. Use painter’s tape to mask around the mantle or any adjacent area that you want to remain paint-free. Protect the floor around the fireplace, using drop cloths secured in place with painter’s tape.
Clean the fireplace surface with water, an all-purpose cleaner and a wire scrub brush. Let it dry completely. Look for any substantial cracks in the stones or the mortar around them. Small, hairline cracks can be painted over, but anything larger needs to be repaired before painting. Use a paintable acrylic latex caulk to fill the cracks. Let the caulk set and dry before painting.
Pick a paint that is ideal for using on stone. It is recommended that you use latex paint, which is more durable on stone, and sports better fade resistance, flexibility, and adhesion. To get the best results when you’re painting stone, brick or other “rough” surfaces, first prime the surface with True Value® EasyCare® Ultra Premium Interior Primer/Sealer, then paint with True Value EasyCare® Ultra Premium Exterior Masonry/Stucco Paint.
To paint a stone fireplace, you need to use paint applicators applicable to the job. Paint rollers make excellent priming and painting tools, especially on walls made of rough exteriors such as brick or stone, which can be difficult to cover completely. When painting a smooth surface such as a wall, most roller covers would work. However, with an uneven, rough surface such as stone, a roller cover with a nap of at least one inch is necessary. In addition, use a heavy duty, 5-wire roller frame for maximum strength. Plastic roller frames can bend or break from the extra force you will apply to get paint into all crevices and pores. For brushwork, use professional-grade paintbrushes with wood handles and synthetic bristles. These provide the best results when using latex paint. Purchase different sizes of brushes for the job. Choose a small (1') angled brush for small, tight crevices; a medium-size, angled brush (2') for cutting in; and a large-size brush (3'+) for general painting.
Helpful Tip
When using a paintbrush, don’t use excess paint to get into pores and crevices. Wiggle the brush up and down and back and forth to push the paint in.
Before painting, apply True Value EasyCare® Ultra Premium Exterior Primer/Sealer. This seals porous surface material so the topcoat won't soak in and dry unevenly. It also helps prevent peeling, rusting and bleed-through. Pour primer into a paint tray and coat your roller. Follow the top-down rule—work from the top to the bottom to get the most even coverage. Use brushes for cutting in and getting into tight spaces. Let the primer dry completely before starting to paint.
When you're ready to paint, pour True Value EasyCare® Ultra Premium Exterior Masonry/Stucco Paint into a paint tray and coat your roller. Again, follow the top-down rule. Use brushes where you can’t use a roller. When you’re done, go over the paint surface with a roller to balance coverage. Use two coats for optimal results.
You’re almost done; you just need to clean up your workspace. Close up your paint cans and dispose of used cans appropriately. Cleaning paintbrushes and other tools can be made easy with warm, soapy water. Thoroughly rinse your roller covers and brushes in water until the water runs clear. Pick up drop cloths carefully, making sure you don't spread around any paint that may have gotten on them. Next, remove painter's tape at a 45-degree angle to avoid removing any fresh paint. Remember that the longer it stays on, the harder it is to remove.
All done! You’ve updated your stone fireplace with a little sweat and a whole lot of color.
Here’s what you’ll need to complete this project successfully.
Before you begin, use the shopping list below to uncheck the tools you already have to complete this project.
Then, print or save your updated list and bring it to your local True Value hardware store, where an expert Hardwarian will give you the remaining tools and expert advice you need to complete this project.
You can also shop online for these project items at TrueValue.com and receive FREE shipping to a participating store.
Mixing Glaze and Paint Colors
Painting glaze, also called extender, is used to create the stone effects on this page as well as all the other faux finishes on this website. For the projects described here we use latex glaze and mix it with latex paint. If you choose to use an oil-based glaze, be sure to only mix it with oil-based paint. The colorants you will need for all these stone finishes are available at paint stores and include: lamp black, raw umber, and burnt umber. These are used to mix the primer, the base paint, and the glaze. Colorants are usually universal and can be used for either latex or oil paint but check any you buy to be sure this is the case.
Mix all your colors in plastic cups or other containers that can be covered easily to keep them from drying out. You will need several different shades of paint and glaze depending on the stone finish you are creating. Before mixing, mark each cup with the color it contains.
For a small project like a vase or planter only a small amount of each color will be needed. For each glaze color, add to your container: ½ cup of the mixing glaze, a tablespoon of white paint, and a quarter cup of water. Mix these together well and then add the colorant in the following quantities for the color you want:
- Light Gray— ½ teaspoon raw umber
- Dark Gray— ½ teaspoon lamp black
- Light Brown— ½ teaspoon burnt umber
- Dark Brown— 1 teaspoon burnt umber
- Black— 2 teaspoons lamp black
- White— add no colorant
Stone Chip Paint Brush On
To the base paint containers add half cup white paint and then colorant in the following quantities:
Stone Brick Paint Brush
- Gray— ½ teaspoon lamp black
- Brown— 1 teaspoon burnt umber