Victorian Fireplace repairs

[ajbm]

I have a cast iron fireplace which is currently covered in many layers of paint. Ideally I would like to strip it back to the metal and then coat it with a transparent paint to stop rust etc.
It's unlikely that it will be used as a heat source in future, but I'd like to retain it as a feature. Does anyone have any advice on products that would be suitable?

Alex
http://www.designitout.blogspot.com

 

[Jon Maine]

Why dont you use a grate polish? which will leave an appropriate shiny grey finish

Oh and be heat resistant if ever needed

 

[Pford75]

Do a search on eBay for Zebo or Zip grate polish.

I can also recommend klingstrip for removing paint from intricate detail on the fireplace.

 

[ajbm]

Thanks for the quick reply guys! I have the feeling that I'll be posting a lot more here before I'm finished.

Alex

 

[Penners]

100% agreement. Strip it with Klingstrip (http://www.stripperspaintremovers.com/products.htm) then polish with grate polish (http://www.avenuesupplies.co.uk/index.php?id=213&pid=1747&sid=1).

It will look much better than varnished bare metal, which - strange to say - always has a rather artifical look about it.

 

[thiambal]

I have found Liberon Iron Paste to be the best thing to polish grates with of those products now available

 

[MattW]

Has anyone used Klingstrip on marble fireplaces? I see in the fact sheet that the manufacturers suggest it is fine, but obviously feeling cautious given I don't want to damage the surface patina at all.

 

[Penners]

As you've observed, the Klingstrip website makes recommendations for their product on marble, so I guess it's safe. Just be sure that you choose the correct formulation for the type of paint you want to remove: http://www.stripperspaintremovers.com/I_want_to_remove.htm#11

They sell small test pots, so maybe you'd feel happier if you bought one of these, and tried it out on an insignificant corner of the fireplace first.