It is always important to understand the materials and products you are using to paint. This is especially true when the item you are painting is going to be close to a fireplace or near burning candles often. It can be dangerous to have flammable paints too close, even more so if you aren’t aware that it is flammable.
To determine whether a paint is flammable, you need to look at the ingredients in the paint. If it is oil-based, the paint is going to catch on fire extremely easily. If the paint is water-based, you won’t need to worry about it being flammable at all.
So, is chalk paint flammable? The good thing about chalk paint is that it is water-based, not oil-based. This means that the paint is not flammable and are completely fine to be used around radiators, candles, and fireplaces. They are not considered fire retardant, so you shouldn’t expect the item to survive a house fire.
Is Chalk Paint Safe for a Fireplace?
Chalk paint can be used on so many surfaces. The paint doesn’t require any priming, sanding, stripping, or harsh chemicals to adhere properly to the surface. It also provides wonderful coverage with little work. Using chalk paint for your fireplace is a great way to brighten or freshen up your room without it taking days to complete.
My favorite and top pick is always FolkArt Chalk Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use FolkArt for all my chalk paint projects.
You can use chalk paint on brick and stone, so this means that no matter what your fireplace is made of the paint will stick to it with no problem. Chalk paint can be painted directly over paint that is already there with no need for sanding or priming first.
However, if the current paint of your fireplace is chipping and peeling, you will want to sand down those pieces to provide you with an even finish when you are done painting.
Chalk paint is non-toxic and has close to zero volatile organic compounds. This is great as the paint fumes escape your home through the chimney, you don’t have to worry about it negatively impacting the environment.
This paint is excellent because a little bit of it goes a long way. This allows you to get maximum coverage with as little coats as possible. In some cases, you might be able to cover your whole fireplace completely with just one coat.
There is one downside to using chalk paint to paint your fireplace. Without a protective sealant coat, the paint is not very durable and is not likely to stand up to constant use. The paint ca
n easily scratch, leaving you full of disappointment. If you choose to paint your fireplace with chalk paint, make sure you choose a sealer to paint over it for the best results.
You can apply a thin layer of varnish to your chalk paint, in order to protect the paint from chipping. To keep that matte chalky look, I would go with this Rust-Oleum Matte Varnish.
Is Rust-Oleum Chalk Paint Heat Resistant?
Rustoleum chalk paint is not considered to be heat resistant. The paint can be used around objects that get hot, such as a fireplace, but the paint is going to heat up with the fire. If you are just painting the outside of your fireplace, you don’t need to worry about the paint being heat resistant.
Due to the fact that Rustoleum chalk paint isn’t heat resistant, you should avoid using it on the inside of your fireplace. Should you need to paint the inside of the fireplace, it is highly recommended that you use a paint that is specifically designed to be exposed to high temperatures.
On average, a fireplace will reach at least 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This is about five times what the average paint can handle, including chalk paint. If you would use Rustoleum chalk paint inside your fireplace, you can expect it to chip, crack, and peel before your first fire finishes burning.
How Do You Chalk Paint a Brick Fireplace?
There is no denying that every now and then your fireplace might need a makeover. With use, it will see regular wear and tear that can make it look run down. Luckily, painting is a quick way to bring some life back to your fireplace. There are four main ways that you can paint a brick fireplace.
First, you can just plain paint it. This is just a coat or more of paint that is placed right on top of the existing brick and grout. Your brick fireplace will quickly turn into a solid color of your choice. This is a great option if you are trying to get the fireplace to match the room décor better.
Next, there is the whitewash. This will usually involve water that dilutes the paint. When you apply a whitewash, you will brush the paint on then proceed to wipe it off. This gives the paint a more muted look and adds character to the room. I recommend this White Wash All-in One Paint. It gives it a nice antique wash look.
You can also apply paint with a dry brush. This is where you use a brush that is mostly dry to apply paint to only certain areas of the fireplace. This is a great technique to use if you want to add different colors to your fireplace, or you only want to paint specific bricks.
The technique you choose for your fireplace is completely up to you and what you think will look the best. You can test out the different techniques on a brick or two before committing to painting the whole fireplace. You might think you like a whitewash look, but you could end up hating the process or how it looks on your specific fireplace.
When you choose your technique, the first thing you will need to do is clean your fireplace. A clean fireplace will give you the best possible results. You will want to remove any ash or melted wax from inside the fireplace. It is also recommended to clean the fireplace with a cleaner, even vinegar will do.
As soon as your fireplace is clean, you are ready to paint. If there is carpet near the fireplace, you will want to cover it, so you don’t accidentally get paint on it. Pour a small amount of paint into a separate container that is easy for you to carry around.
With the dry brush method, you start with your paintbrush wet with paint and start around the edges. As your paintbrush begins to dry, you will drag the paint from the edges of the brick towards the inside. This will give the inside of the bricks a lighter coverage, but they will still be painted.
You will need to add water to your second container of paint to dilute it, then paint the brick. As you go, gently dab the paint back off the brick to achieve the whitewash look. If you want to just paint the brick, take your paintbrush and just start painting. Don’t worry about any techniques, just do what feels right!
Final Thoughts
When you are deciding to paint an object, you will want to be sure that the paint is safe and nonflammable. Luckily, chalk paint is water-based. This means that the chalk paint is not going to catch fire if it is near a fireplace or heat radiator.
If you wish, you can paint the outside of your fireplace with chalk paint. It is not recommended to paint the inside with chalk paint because it is not fire or heat resistant, meaning the paint can chip, crack, and peel quickly.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your chalk painted fireplace or project turns out great. Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!
