Fireplace Surround - How/who to restore

[atlasfever]

Hi All,

I have this surround, an original, which we neatly removed from the wall to have it restored, except..... who/how/ where do I get this restored. I won't be doing it myself, so does anyone know of a somewhat cost effective resource? Just putting it back in place with the layers of paint on it (badly painted, etc likely in the last 10 years by previous owner), seems silly, and would be great if it was restored.

It appears to be wood on the back, but the front is all plaster. I have been told that you can't just strip it (similar to a cornice). I talked to one person who priced it at about £1,000. gbp to do the work. Unreal. I don't have a budget for this, that's for sure. Hmm.. Suggestions?

By the way, does anyone know what this type of surround is called? Maybe there is a name.

Thanks!

 

[Svenedin]

From what you say it sounds like it is made of wood and gesso. Stripping this is very difficult. Alkaline/caustic strippers will turn the gesso to mush and most commercial stripping is done by immersing the item in a bath of caustic soda so that won't work. The only alternative is hand stripping with a solvent based stripper with a lot of care hence the high cost you have been quoted. I'm no expert on the styles but I'd say Georgian, maybe George III or if it is later Neo-Georgian. Classical revival. So in terms of a name I'd call it a Georgian, Neoclassical, wood and gesso, painted fire surround. If it were mine I'd be inclined to try to tidy up the badly done paintwork as much as possible and then repaint it. You say it is an original so you can date it from the date of your house.

 

[Penners]

I've always found Strippers of Sudbury a very helpful company. They make a range of products for various different stripping requirements. If you click the "I want to remove..." link on their website, you'll find a variety of recommendations as to which formula to use, but if you want extra reassurance I should contact them for specific advice.

http://www.stripperspaintremovers.co.uk/

PS: I have no personal involvement with the company - I'm just a satisfied customer.

 

[angrybird]

phew! Mr P. for one moment I thought you were turning into Mr Lincrusta :lol: (only joking) x

 

[JoceAndChris]

Lovely piece. Bit of a tricky situation ( and oh so familiar) - you won't be doing the work yourself and you've no budget to have a professional restore it. In this situation I look after the thing as it is and just wait until there is a budget. 5 yrs on, most of my projects aren't even started...

When you are ready to drive it somewhere and part with a few hundred ( £1000 seems a bit much) I'd ring Britain's Heritage fireplaces.

 

[atlasfever]

Hello,

I just decided to ask further if anyone can recommend a restorer, who deals with this sort of thing.

Any further suggestions? I am not inclined to just refix it to my refurbed home, so a restoration project needs to take place But, I don't trust my hands to do it.

Thanks!

 

[Toby Newell]

Hi there. I AM a restorer. Even so. 1000 sounds very steep! Sounds like the person who quoted was unsure of himself and in such circumstances these people frequently either quote absurdly high (and chance it) or absurdly low (and never turn up)

Sounds like gesso or just plaster (more chemical resistant but weaker). As far as I am aware you may be able to use an alkaline stripper on gesso, like a poultice stripper that Sudbury guys do, perhaps try a small section.

As far as solvent based stripping goes DO NOT DO THIS!!! There are of course different types of attached decorations but real gesso will be dissolved by a solvent DCM stripper. I speak from experience!

I would try the alkaline stripper first. Do not leave on all night, perhaps apply in morning cover with clingfilm or similar and check every few hours, then its just a case of carefully teasing away paint, try and use thin but blunt and broad objects, small tea spoons and lolly pop sticks (good time of year for them) work well, be careful of using screwdrivers and cheap shavehooks as they will probably dig in and damage the detailing.

If the poultice stripper does work then remove paint in layers. Best to be safe than sorry. You may need two or three applications, remove as much residue as you can every time, finish off by removing the final application whilst still wet with toothbrushes and nylon washing up pot brushes and plenty of tepid water, it's quite a messy job so remember to wear gloves and goggles. My mother, with no previous experience (she is quite artistic) managed to remove all the accumulated paint from the ceiling border moldings and very large ceiling roses our of 6 bedroom Victorian house using just caustic soda and a teaspoon. It took her three years, but it worked lovely.

Hope this helps.

Toby