Inglenook fireplace

[HH @ 24]

I am refurbishing an old cottage and discovered an original inglenook fireplace behind a false wall. The stone back and cheeks were covered in concrete render and the brick/stone cheeks plastered over. My ambition is to restore the inglenook revealing the original stone and brick. Unfortunately, the right cheek has been rebuilt at some point in modern brick and block so will need to be rebuilt in more appropriate brickwork, but I'm hoping to be able to salvage the back and left cheek (although some of the stones on the back have perished and will need to be replaced by a stonemason). I have painstakingly chipped off as much of the render as I can, but am left with some stubborn bits. And the whole thing needs a good clean. Can anyone recommend the best way to clean the rest of the render off and clean the whole thing up so it will look nice exposed? I have been using a chisel/scraper and hammer to date. I have tried Fuze Biostrip Concrete Remover spray which did absolutely nothing, similarly neither did a wire brush. Other than sandblasting which could damage the fragile stone/bricks, I don't know what else to try. Photos attached after work yesterday. Any suggestions appreciated! Thanks

 

[Cubist]

I've had some success with similar challenges using a multi-tool with a grout removal blade fitted. A bit messy/dusty and noisy but so long as you are careful not to damage the brick/stone faces then surprisingly effective and quick. Same tool is helpful when routing out old mortar to prepare for new pointing.

 

[fallschirmjager]

I used Everbuild mortar stain remover to clean up my kitchen wall. It basically dissolves the old mortar off the brickwork whilst not affecting the bricks themselves.

 

[Zebra]

Much of the brickwork around my house was like that, HH - I think you are doing a great job. As you've probably discovered, trying to chip it off can damage the bricks. Once I got down to that sort of a level I think I was scratching across the surface of the remaining cement render with a comb chisel. It makes ridges, then working at 90 degrees removes yet more material. It wears down the tool, of course - I had one where you could replace the heads, and got through many heads, but gradually the remaining cement layer got broken up and thin. I never got it perfect. There are bits I just left because it wasn't budging, but those tell a story and are part of the house's history....

 

[Zebra]

This is as good as it got for me.....

Edit: try also a wood chisel (it'll ruin it, of course) and a sharpened screwdriver...

 

[stuart45]

If using brick acid damp the wall down first to keep it on the surface where it's needed. Neutralise with bicarb afterwards.