Painting Brass Fireplace Doors

How do you paint fireplace doors that are brass? I am contemplating taking on this as a project and am not sure where to start? What type of primer should be used? What type of paint is recommended? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Sherri from Arlington, TX

Answers:

Painting Brass Fireplace Doors

I too am in the process of taking this project on. I was told to use an oven cleaner first to get any fire residue off, lightly sand with steel wool, wipe down with mineral spirits and then use the spray paint for BBQ grills which is sold at Wal-Mart in the regular paint section.
Mine are so ugly we are going to replace them if this doesn't work. (05/15/2007)

By Sara

Painting Brass Fireplace Doors

Brass usually has a lacquer coating on it to keep the shine. That will have to sanded off with fine sandpaper. As for the painting part I would go to a paint store like Sherwin Williams or the paint department at Loew's or Home Depot and get their recommendations. After all they deal with these questions all the time. (05/15/2007)

By Dean

Painting Brass Fireplace Doors

The experts at painting metal are the chain auto painting places. If you can, take it to them for a quote. If not, ask them for advice.

Another place that knows how to do this stuff is the specialty hobby stores, like model trains, cars, and boats. (05/15/2007)

By Carrie

Painting Brass Fireplace Doors

I am currently working on repainting the brass trim on my fireplace doors, as well. So far, everything has worked well and I am very happy with results. I am not finished yet, but I have been doing this whenever I get an hour or so of free time and haven't been in any rush to get done.

This is what I have done/used:

1. Since I was taking this project on myself, I was unable to completely take the doors off, but I did pull the parts of the brass trim off that I could (some of the brass strips of trim just popped right off and were super easy to snap back on). I used the widest painters tape I could find and I covered all of the glass and surrounding tile/brick areas. I also covered up my mantle with a drop cloth just to be safe.
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   I purchased a bag of steel wool (the finest grit) and sanded the brass trim very well. The brass color didn't even come close to coming off, but it did roughen that finish so the paint would adhere better. I did a lot of sanding. I probably could have cut down on my sanding time if I had just used a rougher grit and then used the finest grit to finish, but I was scared of scratching it up too badly so I just went ahead with finest grit from the beginning.
   

2. Next, I purchased the Rust-oleum brand Specialty High Heat black paint. I actually bought 3 or 4 other paints first and none of them would adhere to the brass and looked awful, but this paint really works and looks good too. I think you can buy this paint in other finishes, brushed silver, etc. I just purchased this at Lowe's and have seen it at Home Depot as well. I have actually been working on this project inside so I bought this in a medium sized paint can, however, it is also sold in a spray paint can (which I would recommend if you are able to move and paint your doors outside).
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3. Next, I just used a regular brush to paint the brass trim. I have put a couple of coats on it, but that's just my personal preference. I think it would have been okay after just one. I didn't use any type of primer (just the sanding) and the paint has a protective sealer in it so I don't see any need for any type of sealer paint.

I will try to take some pictures and post them in the next couple days so you can see what the finished product looks like. I am very happy with the way the project is going/looking and I'm glad I took on this project.

Good luck. (10/20/2008)

By Kasa

Painting Brass Fireplace Doors

We are getting the house ready to sell, and I've been told that when today's buyers see shiny brass (faucets, door knobs, light fixtures, etc.) in a house for sale, they say, "ooh, yuck, 80s". And we used to think brass looked so classy.

So, goodbye to the shiny brass fireplace doors. For a wider selection of paint colors, look at engine paint colors at your local auto parts store. (10/19/2009)

By ccotton