New Majestic gas insert, Ruby model insert smoke smell

[brick460]

I just had this installed in my existing brick fireplace, the home is 70 years old. I had the install guys clean the brick flue prior to installing the intake fresh air and exhaust tubes. I have a new chimney cap with the tubes attached. Still going through the paint curing smell, ran it 5 hours straight and still have the smell, going to run it for 8 and see what happens. Back to my real issue, I am getting a lot of smoke smell from the insert especially when the fan is on. The fan draws air in from the room at the bottom of the unit and then kicks out the front at the top of the unit. I am sure the air draw is pulling the smell from the old brick in the fireplace its self. The fireplace guys said oh ya some people experience that. Well great guys would have been nice to know that in advance! So now I need to pull my unit out and figure out the best way to seal the interior brick off to prevent the smell from entering the room. I know there are variety of paints out there that are used for smoke smell after fire damage. I was also thinking about screwing a layer of concrete board like hardy board over the brick once I seal it. Anyone experince this or have some suggestions. I am a DIY guy and can do just about anything. Just fries my fanny that you hire professionals then find out stuff after the fact when some heads up should have been given in advance!