How do you remove paint from fireplace bricks?

The answer to this has to be separated into categories:

1. A few drops spattered while painting the walls. Use Goof-Off or a similar latex paint remover, a rough clean cloth, and a toothbrush. You might want to use a razor scraper first to gently remove what you can before going for chemicals. You will probably have to go over the painted areas twice.

2. Really extensive paint spatter or roller goofs. Same as #1 but definitely use the razor knife first. You may want to switch between two products such as paint brush cleaner or Motsenbacher's Lift Off for Latex (available at Lowe's). If the paint includes oil-based, enamel, etc., you will have to use the equivalent product for oil-based paints. Pre-wetting with a moist tower covering the area overnight will sometimes help before you get to the removal.

3. For brick that has layers of paint over it, it gets a little harder. A pressure washer can do the job outdoors but may take out the mud mortar. Slow, careful work with a hammer and an old wood chisel can peel the paint indoors. Then you will have to use a real gel paint stripper (Readi-Strip Pro at Home Depot), heavy gloves, eye protection, ventilation, etc.