How to: German Smear

An extremely common request we come across while renovating a home is “can we get rid of the old fireplace?” More often then not, it’s possible but the cost that comes with it is very high. Did you know a typical removal can cost nearly $4,000? If that doesn’t fit in your budget, we’ve come up with the perfect solution. Make the fireplace something that you do like. Some people re-stone it, others paint it, but what if you want to do neither?

Well, German smear may be the solution for you! The fireplace is the star of any living room, therefore it deserves to reflect your style and match your home’s personality. Below, you’ll find steps to do the German smear by yourself for less than the cost of re-stoning or removing the fireplace.

Materials needed:

• Pre-mixed mortar

• Shop vacuum

• Plastic sheeting

• Painter’s tape

• Dish soap and water

• Cloth rag

• Sponge roller

• Brick sealant

• Piping bag (or heavy-duty plastic bag)

• Putty knife

• Sponge

Step one:

Prep work is an important step in this process. Working with the pre-made mortar can be messy and create permanent damage to your floors if you're not careful. Remove any trim around the fireplace brick; position the plastic or paper sheet along the brick on the floor or any surface you want to protect; and tape the edges down.

Step two:

Start with clean brick. Trust us, if it’s dusty, the finished look won’t be as smooth as you may have hoped. We recommend vacuuming the brick first to catch any debris like soot or dust. Next, use a dish soap and water solution and a rag to wipe down the brick thoroughly. Get into each crack to ensure you’re not missing a spot! Repeat the process until the cloth wipes the surfaces clean and nothing is picked up. Once your brick is clean and dry, seal the brick with a sponge roller for an extra bright white finish. Let dry according to package instructions.

Step three:

We like pre-made mortar. It’s already the perfect ratio and ready for you to use. Once you have your mortar, you’re ready to pipe it! Grab a Ziploc bag or a piping bag and fill it up with the mix and cut a small hole in one of the corners. Zip the top to save yourself from a big mess!

Step four:

Start working in a spot that allows you to practice. A side piece will do. Start piping into the grout lines between bricks. It’s easiest to fill the grout holes with a piping bag rather than a spatula.

Step five:

Smear it! Take the putty knife and wipe the excess mortar from the lines you piped. Continue the process over the surface working in small sections (about a foot wide). The beauty of this project is that it doesn’t require perfection. Simply smear the mortar in all different directions across each brick. Go in different directions with different thickness - it creates something interesting to look at. We recommend using less mortar than you initially think you’ll want. You can always go back and add more, but it’s a more difficult process to remove mortar after it has dried.

Step six:

If you have added too much mortar, it’s a simple fix! Use a damp sponge to wipe away small portions to see some brick show through. Now, let the fireplace dry overnight. One dry, you can enjoy your new fireplace! Don’t worry about sealing the fireplace; mortar adheres to the brick easily!

Enjoy!!