I have a modern gas fireplace that was fitted when the house was built about
11 years ago. The house has excellent central heating so the fire hardly
get used (about twice a year) and so is mostly ornamental.

The surround is a pine affair with twee moulding which may have looked okay
in the early 90s but looks a bit naff now. Before rushing out to pay £2000
to pay for a replacement that I won't used I've decided to give the existing
one a facelift.

The scrollings will go and the surround painted using a modern egshell
finish.

The dilemma is with the fire brick behind the fire. Its a buff colour with
a few black soot marks from the little use of the years. My wife hates this
and would prefer the fire brick to be black. I've heard reports that it can
be painted.

Is this true and if so what with? My local DIY store has some Matt Black
Hammerite stove paint which is rated to over 600 degC - will this do the
trick or should I use something else?

Thanks,

Nigel

Is this true and if so what with?

There is available an aerosol 'Coal Paint', designed for use on the
'coals' of living flame gas fires.

It is the sort of stuff that might do the trick.