Painting inside of fireplace prior to insert install

[deep wood]

The Lopi Pioneer Bay pellet insert recommends painting the interior of the fireplace with latex paint prior to installation (to prevent fireplace odors from entering the home).
My fireplace is factory built (metal). Does anyone have any advice on cleaning and painting a metal fireplace? Should I prime with a latex primer?

Thanks in advance

 

[charles u farley]

Any hardware store or home center should have a selection of glass/brick/masonry cleaners in the fireplace section. I'd pick one and use it to clean out the soot and creosote deposits with a scrub brush. Wipe dry and wipe out again with a damp rag and then brush on some flat black metal paint, maybe high heat bbq paint.
Paint isn't really going to help with stopping fireplace odour in your case if you clean it properly first since the metal isn't porous. It will just stop rust from forming back there on the bare metal.

 

[THE ROOSTER]

It was done on my first home's fireplace, but I never did it when we moved... I forgot that detail, and will be pulling it out as soon as my bum shoulder allows... THANKS FOR REMINDING ME

 

[imacman]

.....Does anyone have any advice on cleaning and painting a metal fireplace? Should I prime with a latex primer?.....

I think that if you can't get the metal completely dirt/soot/rust free, I'd use the primer.....don't think it can hurt, but it can help. just my 2 cents.

 

[deep wood]

It's done. First I used a wire brush while using the shop vac. Next I washed and scrubbed with a scotch bright bad. After half a dozen water changes things were reasonably clean (The fireplace was a combination of sheet metal and fire brick). I found a partial can of gray latex primer/sealer in my shop and brushed on two coats. I'm pleased with the results. Thank you everyone for the advice.

 

[rona]

Sorry to tell you this but latex primer won't stop rust. Next time use a product called Rusty Iron Primer by Rustoleum. It will stop the rust and after that you can use any top-coat you wish. Rust will come right through latex but that rusty iron primer is made to stop rust and it does.

 

[charles u farley]

It's really just to stop the smoke smell from leeching out of the firebrick. Fresh rust on the steel portion was just a secondary consideration. The OP should be fine with any paint.

 

[tjnamtiw]

It's really just to stop the smoke smell from leeching out of the firebrick. Fresh rust on the steel portion was just a secondary consideration. The OP should be fine with any paint.

You're still going to get the chimney smell coming back down the chimney every time the weather changes. You're not going to paint that!