Fireplaces have been the center of the home for centuries, they provide warmth and are a natural centerpiece in social gatherings. After years of use, however, the heat and ash can leave your fireplace looking lackluster and dirty.
A fresh coat of paint can quickly bring your fireplace back to life and make cozy nights by the fire with friends and family even more enjoyable! Although, not just any paint can be used in such an area that will be subjected to extreme heat and flames.
Check out this list of some of the best heat resistant paints for fireplaces and read up on what you need to consider when picking out paint for your fireplace!
Top 3 - Heat Resistant Paint
Preview | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | POR-15 High Temperature Paint | |
 | Rutland Products 80 Hi-Temp Paint | |
 | Giani Brick Transformations Whitewash Paint |
When it comes to painting your fireplace, you need a paint that can coat the surface well and resist corrosion in the face of high temperatures. When choosing a heat resistant paint for your fireplace, take into consideration what type of surface you need to paint, what conditions it will need to withstand, and what type of paint will be best for your project.
Best Heat Resistant Paints for Fireplaces
1. POR-15 High Temperature Paint
POR-15 offers some of the toughest paint out there that can stand up to all kinds of rough elements. Their paints have unique chemical properties that maximize adhesion.
This makes them an excellent option for outdoor fireplaces or other projects that will need to withstand weather conditions as well as heat.
The brand is highly reputed for their rust resistant coating and used widely for painting engines. This temperature resistant paint is no exception and stands up not only to high heat but also to weather, humidity, salt, and other forms of corrosion.
This paint is my go-to for outdoor projects such as outdoor fireplaces, grills, wood burning stoves, and automobiles. The pain comes in black, gray, and aluminum which offers a nice solution for a variety of repaint jobs or touch up jobs.
In my experience, the paint goes on easily as long the surface is properly prepped according to instructions. I’ve found it very helpful to use their POR-15 Metal Prep before painting any metal surfaces to maximize the paint’s strength. It lasts much longer and even goes on smoother!
After proper application it is incredibly long lasting and doesn’t chip, peel, or crack even when exposed to very high heat and extreme weather.
They offer a liquid paint that is great for covering larger areas as well as an aerosol version which comes in handy for quick touch ups.
The main downside to this paint is the time that it takes to get optimal results. To get the benefits of this paint's strength it's very important to properly prep the surface and to cure it after painting.
The whole process takes quite a lot of time, so it isn’t the best choice if you don’t have much time for a lengthy DIY project.
2. Rutland Products 80 Hi-Temp Paint
Rutland Products’ high temperature paint is a great option for steel, iron, brick, and most metals. This paint comes in a spray form which I have found goes on very smoothly with high coverage and almost no drip.
It doesn’t contain any gloss but is rather a very dark, flat matte black, which looks great in fireplaces and stoves as it contrasts the flames so well.
The matte black color is also a good option for touch ups on grills, cast iron, chimney caps, and many stoves. The flat black is almost the perfect color match for the pre-existing paint on most grills and stoves.
Another great thing about the Rutland Products paint is that you will not need to worry about using a primer. Just make sure your surface is completely rust free before painting and then spray. In my experience one coat of this paint is often enough thanks to its superb coverage.
In contrast to the other pains on this list, I did notice that this paint doesn’t last quite as long. After frequent exposure to heat it chips relatively quickly, after just a few months. So, frequent touch-ups will likely be necessary if you go with this paint. However, thanks to the spray form, this isn’t too inconvenient.
Unlike lots of other paints, this paint also doesn’t have quite so strong of a smell. It’s still a good idea to use it in a well ventilated area but the smell with this paint dissipates relatively quickly, which is why I would recommend this for indoor projects.
3. Giani Brick Transformations Whitewash Paint
Giani’s Brick Transformation paint is one of the most versatile heat resistant paints that I’ve used for painting fireplaces. It is meant to be used on fireplaces and other brick surfaces.
It is designed for indoor use but can also be used outdoors, you will probably just have to do some more frequent touch-ups in that case as it is a water based paint that is much quicker to wear off of surfaces.
Touch-ups are no problem though, because I found this paint easy and even fun to use! You can customize the look of your finished project by adjusting the ratio of water to paint that you use.
The paint comes in a somewhat small can but it goes a long way. Depending on the look you want you can mix the paint with varying water ratios and then apply to the brick with a wiping rag to get a very natural, dusted white look.
If you do, however, want a solid white paint coverage it might be best to go with another paint. Because this paint comes in such a small can you would need to buy quite a few to cover the fireplace with a solid coat.
Given the price to quantity ratio, this paint is best to buy only if you plan to take advantage of the customization options it offers.
The color of this paint is buildable, so if you aren’t sure which look you would prefer you can always start out with less and build up from there.
With this paint it’s easy to achieve a dusted white brick look that is light and airy while also allowing the brick undertones to shine though or go for full white coverage!
If you accidentally paint it too thick and want to bring back some of the brick color you can easily achieve this by gently scrubbing with a wire brush after the paint has dried.
4. Rust-Oleum Protective Enamel
Rust-Oleums protective enamel is another great option for outdoor projects such as fireplaces, barbeque grills, wood burning stoves, radiators,and engines.
It can also be used for indoor projects, although because of its strong fumes this is not ideal. The smells from this paint can linger for a few days at most, so be prepared to ventilate your space well and avoid the room where the paint was used for a while.
The enamel base in this paint gives it a very strong protective coating that prevents chipping, rust and corrosion.
It goes onto and clings to slightly rougher surfaces much better than smooth ones, like smoother metals, so I found it helpful to sand down any smooth surfaces before painting for best adhesion and minimal streaking.
On properly prepped surfaces this paint goes on like a dream. After it dried I saw no brush marks left behind. As it dries it levels out across the surface and looks surprisingly professionally done.
The color of this paint is a satin black which looks a bit more glossy than other matte paints on this list. Depending on the look you want, the satin black can be perfect for the exterior of grills and stove. It will have them shining like new!
5. Forrest Paint 1990 Stove Bright Paint
This stove paint comes in a spray form that goes on thick and even for excellent coverage. It is meant to be used on indoor projects, but you can also use it for outdoor use.
Before using this to paint anything that will be kept outdoors, it is best to start out with their Stove Bright Primer. I noticed that this made a huge difference in the paint's ability to hold up against weather and the elements. For indoor use no primer is needed to get both good coverage and temperature resistance.
This paint attaches to surfaces using a mechanical bond rather than a chemical one, so it's important that you sand smooth surfaces before painting. This way, the paint can adhere better to the roughed up surface.
This will give you a smoother finish and also will help the paint stay in place longer without chipping or cracking.
When applied correctly, the paint will last very long thanks to its silicone protectant, which prevents rust and scratching on the surface. Since using this paint I have not needed to do any touch ups even after frequent exposure to heat. It is a great, low-maintenance option.
One problem that I had with this paint was that the application was a bit of a messy process. The spray can was a bit drippy, so be sure to cover your floors to make clean-up easier after using this paint.
Their satin black paint dries to a beautiful, even, matte black color that looks great on fireplaces and stoves. However, they also offer other colors such as a variety of metallic colors that have some shine to them and would look great on pipes and many other projects.
6. KBS Coatings 65328 Xtreme Temperature Coating
This paint doesn’t have “Xtreme” in the name for nothing! It has top of the line heat and weather resistance, including UV protection that will prevent it from fading in the sun. With their XTC Primer this paint will also resist the formation of rust.
For these reasons, this paint is my favorite for outdoor fireplaces, especially because I live in a climate with lots of sun, heat, and humidity.
This paint goes on a bit thin so I did need to do multiple coats for full coverage. But on the plus side, it also has a very quick drying time. Thanks to the quick drying, it didn’t take too much time to get multiple coats on for a beautiful, even finish.
One important feature of this paint to take note of is the very strong smells. It leaves very strong fumes after application and while drying, more than most other paints, so it should be used outdoors whenever possible.
If you absolutely need to use it indoors, keep the space very well ventilated and don’t stay in the room while it is drying.
It is available in a wide selection of useful colors including black, white, red, blue, and metallic finishes, making this paint a very versatile option for a wide range of use cases.
What to Consider When Buying Heat Resistant Paint for Fireplaces
You want to be sure that you are buying the best paint for your project. This depends on a number of factors. Even a paint with the most 5-star reviews can come up short if it isn’t the right paint for your specific project.
So, what should you take into consideration when looking for the right paint?
What Type of Surface Will You Be Painting?
One of the most important things to consider is what type of surface you will be painting. A paint that works beautifully and lasts long on brick, might go on streaky and chip quickly when used for cast iron.
Make sure to check the notes from the manufacturer on whatever paints you are considering to see what surfaces they are designed to be used best on.
It is also important to note that rust-resistant paints on this list resist the formation of new rust but this does not mean that they can be applied over pre-existing rust. This will compromise the paint's coverage and it will not last nearly as long as when applied to a clean surface.
Remove all rust and debri from any surface with a wire brush or power sander before painting for optimal results.
Is the Project Indoors or Outdoors?
Whether your fireplace or any other project is indoors or outdoors will make all the difference in how long your paint job will last and how often it might need touch ups.
If the paint will be exposed to sun, rain, wind, and humidity frequently then it needs to be stronger or be strengthened by the use of a primer.
Certain paints are approved for outdoor use, meaning they are made to withstand more difficult conditions. These paints can also be used indoors as well, but the stronger protection isn't absolutely necessary for indoor projects.
When picking out a paint for outdoor use, read the notes from the manufacturer to see if they recommend the use of a primer to strengthen the paints hold for outdoor environments.
Should You Get Water, Oil, Enamel, or Spray Paint?
Different types of paints have different pros and cons. They vary in how they should be used and what kind of results they will achieve. It's important to consider what type of paint will work best for what you need.
Water based paints, like the Giani Brick Transformation paint, are the best for achieving a weathered look as they absorb into surfaces more than other paints.
This also means that they have a quicker dry time than oil or enamel paints. They also usually smell less and are the easiest to clean up in case of spills or drips.
On the other hand, water based paints aren't as long lasting as many other types of paints. Thankfully, because they dry so quickly, touch ups and repainting will be a quick process.
Oil and enamel based paints are the most durable types of paint. They can also be used on pretty much any surface you can think of. They stand up very well against chipping and scratching. This is why they are often the best choice for outdoor projects.
The main drawbacks to enamel and oil paints are their relatively long dry times and their stronger fumes. They should be used in well ventilated spaces and given plenty of time to dry completely. They also are harder to clean up or fix mistakes than with water based paints.
Lastly, spray paint is probably the most convenient option. You don't need any brushes or mixing, just shake and spray directly onto the surface. They are the quickest option and great for doing quick touch ups to fix any chipping or fading.
However, spray paints often have the worst fumes of all types of paints, because of the nature of the aerosol medium. You should always use them in a well ventilated space or outdoors when possible.
You might also want to consider wearing a suitable mask while applying the paint and leaving the room while it is drying.
Will You Likely Need Extra Paint for Touch-ups?
For certain projects, such as outdoor fireplaces or stoves, it is fairly likely that you will need to touch up the paint as time goes by.
If you think this will be the case it can be a good idea to buy an extra can of the paint you will be using so that you have it on hand for touch ups. This will ensure that you have the exact same color and type to match the base coat.
If the type of paint you choose is available in liquid brush on paint and a spray paint, consider buying the liquid paint to use initially to get a solid, thick base coat and a spray version of the same paint to use for quick touch-ups as the years go by.
Pricing
Most heat-resistant paints tend to cost a little bit more than regular paint. But don't let this tempt you to use regular paint for your fireplace! The higher cost is just a reflection of the paints quality and higher durability, especially near flames.
When you spend a little more on a good heat-resistant paint you will save time and money down the line on repainting and touch-ups.
Also consider that you will only need to use the heat paint on a limited amount of space, only the spots that will be in close contact with the heat and flames. So while it might cost more than you're used to for paint, you will not need too much to complete your project.
Final Thoughts
The easiest way to refresh and update your fireplace is with a fresh coat of paint. These paints will give your fireplace a heat-resistant coating that looks professionally done and will last a long time.
