Anna Posted December 8, 2004 Share Posted December 8, 2004 Any tips on how to clean old stone fireplaces? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andjackie Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Hello,the only way I found to clean a fireplace was to use a very stiff hand held wire brush and a lot of elbow grease ! it is hard work, I have tried acid but it did not give very good results,I think on a previous forum sand blasting was suggested but I have not tried this.(our fireplace is granite)regards,Andrew & Jackie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Sandblasting is probably the best method. We have carried out three sandblasting jobs this week for clients and all have given good results. It is messy and needs specialist equipment and protective gear, but it is quick and effective. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Head Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Hi Anna, you've got several options in varying scales of cost and mess! If the room is a shell then hiring a pressure washer might be an option, sand blasting is effective. A rotary wire brush mounted directly onto the spindle of a small (125mm) angle grinder is particularly effective, but wear a respirator/dust mask. Laissive(sp?) de sud is a powerful caustic solution (don't let it touch your skin, it burns) and can be bought cheaply from most quincaillerie, slap it on leave it to soak then scrub it off with lots of water with a dash of washing up liquid.Alternatively, how about a coat of red gloss?Salut, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted December 9, 2004 Author Share Posted December 9, 2004 HiThanks for the replies. Think I'll give the wire brush a try and then, if no joy, try the caustic solution.Our house was bought in pretty good walk-in condition so sand blasting, etc would be a bit difficult and power washing, unfortunately, out of the question.Although painting would be an alternative, I think I would hate the result and it would be a shame to cover the beautiful Dordogne stone in that way.If it doesn't come up pristine, I can live with it as a feature, after all, it does have lots of years of untold history! Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny29 Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Hi, Also in Dordogne here. Our stone fireplace, dating back to 1662, had been covered with awful cream gloss and wood panelling. We bought in a fireplace historian who advised sandblasting. The mess was unbelievable but the result well worth it! Penny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted December 10, 2004 Author Share Posted December 10, 2004 Hi PennyJust wondered, if you are using the fireplace, are you managing to keep it clean now that you have it sandblasted? We have an insert type but it still makes a bit of a mess when I clean it out. So also wonder if you have any tips for keeping it clean day to day? RegardsAnna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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