Painting Firebox in Prefab Fireplace

My daughter just moved into a condo that has a 1980s prefab metal fireplace (yes, it has that cheesy brass trim all around the doors!!!)

She has no intention of using the fireplace to burn wood, and I have no intention of cutting and splitting, hauling and starting a fire for her, so for all intents and purposes, the fireplace will be used for decorative purposes and will only house those battery operated flickering candles.

I have cleaned out the firebox and scrubbed down the "firebrick". Since this is a prefab metal fireplace, the "firebrick" is actually a sheet of some type of compressed material to look like bricks that I'm sure has some fire resistant capabilities, but I have no idea what it is made out of.

After cleaning, the firebrick still has some dark discoloration on it. It isn't coming off, and I'm done trying to get it off, but the surface of the firebrick is flat with no chunks of creosote etc, so the discoloration is embedded in the firebrick.

The plan is to paint the firebrick just to give it a fresh appearance. No need for fire resistant paints.

I suspect some type of sealer needs to be applied first, but looking for one that has very low or minimal odors as I don't want the condo to stink and don't want fumes going into other condos.

Also, trying to do this on a budget, so paints available from local big box or national brand paint stores would be appreciated in your replies.

Thanks for your help.

 

I'd just spray it with some flat black paint.