Some of the bricks on Nancy’s midcentury fireplace are discolored…the spotting almost looks like burns, she says. She has original photos of the 1950s study – says that the color change has occurred over time…and that it does not look good.
Does anyone know what may be causing this? Is there a way to clean the bricks? Or should Nancy paint over the whole installation? There is painted brickwork in other parts of the house… What do you think, readers?
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Above – Grasscloth in Pam’s living room. Perhaps add this to Nancy’s husband’s den as well?
Speaking as a fake geologist (I’m a geology editor), sometimes minerals deposits in rocks (or clay in the case of bricks) can cause a discoloration over time. I think this might be the problem, because it doesn’t look as if the staining is caused by smoke, which would discolor the area just on top of the fireplace opening.
If the staining is reddish, it’s probably because of iron oxide (basically, rust) in some of the bricks. I don’t think there is anything you can do about this type of stain.
Thanks for your help. I had about decided there was nothing I could do to remove the staining. I have tried cleaning.. I appreciate the comment-
nancy
So what color are you going to paint it, Nancy?
Don’t you think off white?
Yes – I think that matching it to the color on your rug – within the harlequins – would look great. Satin? Glossy? Hmmm…Satin, I think…
Okay. Now, how about painting the walls a real color….or putting grasscloth on them? I know I am probably making your life miserable at this moment…
That is a great idea! We have very little wall space, big windows on 2 walls, the fireplace wall, & a wall w/ paneling & closets. A little grass cloth might be a great touch. I have painted over so much grass cloth – can’t believe I actually want to accent a room w/ it now! My how things can change!
Thanks, Nancy
Cool! I think that the texture/design of the rug + the texture/color of the fireplace + the paneling + the grasscloth would harmonize beautifully!
I believe the company I got my grasscloth from, was Seabrook. Reasonably priced. Ivory. We love it. I will grab some and scan it and upload it for you right now!
Update: Photo now in post. Note, this paper has a yellowish cast to it…You’ll want to ensure you harmonize with your paint color. I’m not sure it’s right but you get the drift.
Woah woah woah!!! Have you tried cleaning the bricks with either CLR (may remove “rust” stains) or more aggressively, Goof Off brand cleaner with perhaps a soft brass wire brush.
No, haven’t tried that. Will give it a shot.
Thanks!
It would seem a real shame to paint over that brickwork.
I am not a bricklayer but I have in the past worked laying tile and doing stonework, as well as doing restorative remodel work on 19th century commercial and residential structures.
I have had experience with very old brick where even media blasting would not change the coloration of the brick. I would not, BTW, ever recommend media blasting of any brick you wish to stay smooth…this is a last-ditch effort to be used on “antique” brick.
That much said, while not a brick expert my own opinion is that the brick seems to pick up colors from environmental conditions, such as in this case a small amount of fireplace smoke over time. Some bricks seem to be more porous than others even within the same wall or construction and this may explain part of it. I also see the sense in the geological explanation offered earlier.
On stone I have had success in cleaning with a sulfamic acid solution, but I hesitate to recommend this out of hand for use on brick. If the staining is indeed iron oxide (rust), an oxcalic acid solution may do the trick.
I realize this may seem too obvious and do not wish to insult anyone, but has a bricklayer been consulted about this? That’s what I would probably do if for no other reason than to get his thoughts on what type acid solution would be safest in not etching the brick and what type acrylic sealer he would recommend using after final cleaning to seal the porosity of the bricks and prevent their taking up stain in the future from environmental contaminants.
I should probably explain here that I grew up in a wonderful Greene & Greene-designed craftsman home with a really beautiful (design-wise, at least) built-in fireplace, mantle and bookcases spanning one end of the living room. Sadly at some point in the distant past a previous occupant had covered the whole affair with copious amounts of white enamel. Once you paint something porous like brick or mortar, it’s pretty much forever. (here we get into media-blasting and very strong strippers). The paint can be removed if one really works at it but only to the detriment of the brick and mortar.
Best of luck,
David
I have to agree with David; I wouldn’t paint over that brick. I know some bricklayers…I’ll forward this to them and see what they know.
I soooooooooo appreciate all of this help! Seems like a small problem but really doesn’t look good & can’t decide how to correct.
Thanks, Nancy
Really great readers on this blog!
Even if you are unable to totally resolve the discoloration (even a bleach solution might help), you might well be amazed at how much brighter and cleaner the brick may look once you have thoroughly cleaned it by acid washing.
There are a number of types acrylic sealer on the market (again I would defer to the bricklayers here) which can provide averything from a simple matte surface to something with a semigloss appearance. Your brick started off clean and posssibly even a bit shiny when new and then oxideized as well as picking up discolorations from the environment (fire smoke, dust, cooking grease, film from the oil furnace if there is/was one, tobacco smoke etc. If you can bring it a few shades lighter and then seal it while it’s really clean (possibly bleaching on the really dark ones as best you can) I think you will be very pleased with the look even if some bricks are darker than others. Not all of the brick would have been same color to begin with, after all.
I’m really looking forward to hearing what you come up with and seeing the results.
Best Regards,
Dave
i can’t see it in person, but the brick looks good to me. if you’re hardcore set on either removing or covering the “stains”, i think it would be worth taking the time to research products and methods to remove or lighten the “stains” rather than jumping into the paint.
Did anyone ever hear back from the bricklayers?
I’m also thinking of painting the ugly, dark dark brick in my 1968 ranch. The only thing making me hesitate is the knowledge that it’s a permanent change, but frankly it’s sooo incredibly dark brown. Something’s got to give!
I saw an HGTV makeover where they cleaned fireplace brick with Foaming Bubbles and a stiff brush. It worked like a charm. I’d try that one last thing before throwing in the paintbrush.
I used Greased Lightning on my fireplace to remove the soot stains. It worked amazingly. Good Luck!
When we bought our 1961 raised ranch it had pink and purple brick on the fireplace, yes you read that right, pink and purple brick…..
We tried cleaning the brick but I think the soot on the front was too old and well established that nothing worked. We contemplated painting it, but thought we’d give masonry stain (available at most DIY stores) a chance first as we could always paint over it if we didn’t like it. We stained ours in charcoal gray, and it came up a treat. As it is a stain and not paint, we have retained the character of the brick, the variations in the brick show through, while hiding the soot stains and questionable brick colour choices.
You probably already did something, but the best way to clean soot, smoke (and I’m going to guess minerals or anything else) from brick is to use a “rubber” sponge or a “dry cleaning” sponge. I would NEVER use any liquid to clean a porous surface like brick unless is was an absolute last ditch effort. I spent a summer doing fire and flood damage cleanup and these WORK. This is a link to one brand but you can probably find something similar in your local hardware store. http://www.parish-supply.com/dry_cleaning_sponge.htm Pro tip, once both sides of the sponge are soiled, split it down the middle for two more clean sides.
Thanks for the tip — I am going to give this a try on my own two fireplaces, and will report back!
Hey Pam, did those rubber sponges work on your brick’s soot? I just ordered several of them to clean mine, but would appreciate your two cents on how they performed. Thanks!
you know, thanks for the reminder: I ordered them, but hmmm, where did I put them? drats!
we are going to try rust-oleum concrete stain on our pinky fireplace how about some before and after pics pam
Perhaps a slightly darker stain will minimize the discoloured brick…