Comments on: Can Nancy’s fireplace bricks be cleaned? Or should she just paint over? http://retrorenovation.com/2008/12/12/can-nancys-fireplace-bricks-be-cleaned-or-should-she-just-paint-over/ Products and ideas to remodel your mid century home in authentic vintage style Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:31:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sarah V http://retrorenovation.com/2008/12/12/can-nancys-fireplace-bricks-be-cleaned-or-should-she-just-paint-over/comment-page-1/#comment-118856 Sarah V Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:22:25 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=7708#comment-118856 When we bought our 1961 raised ranch it had pink and purple brick on the fireplace, yes you read that right, pink and purple brick..... We tried cleaning the brick but I think the soot on the front was too old and well established that nothing worked. We contemplated painting it, but thought we'd give masonry stain (available at most DIY stores) a chance first as we could always paint over it if we didn't like it. We stained ours in charcoal gray, and it came up a treat. As it is a stain and not paint, we have retained the character of the brick, the variations in the brick show through, while hiding the soot stains and questionable brick colour choices. When we bought our 1961 raised ranch it had pink and purple brick on the fireplace, yes you read that right, pink and purple brick…..

We tried cleaning the brick but I think the soot on the front was too old and well established that nothing worked. We contemplated painting it, but thought we’d give masonry stain (available at most DIY stores) a chance first as we could always paint over it if we didn’t like it. We stained ours in charcoal gray, and it came up a treat. As it is a stain and not paint, we have retained the character of the brick, the variations in the brick show through, while hiding the soot stains and questionable brick colour choices.

]]> By: Carmone http://retrorenovation.com/2008/12/12/can-nancys-fireplace-bricks-be-cleaned-or-should-she-just-paint-over/comment-page-1/#comment-117994 Carmone Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:46:40 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=7708#comment-117994 I used Greased Lightning on my fireplace to remove the soot stains. It worked amazingly. Good Luck! I used Greased Lightning on my fireplace to remove the soot stains. It worked amazingly. Good Luck!

]]> By: Karen Morgan http://retrorenovation.com/2008/12/12/can-nancys-fireplace-bricks-be-cleaned-or-should-she-just-paint-over/comment-page-1/#comment-117796 Karen Morgan Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:31:07 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=7708#comment-117796 I saw an HGTV makeover where they cleaned fireplace brick with Foaming Bubbles and a stiff brush. It worked like a charm. I'd try that one last thing before throwing in the paintbrush. I saw an HGTV makeover where they cleaned fireplace brick with Foaming Bubbles and a stiff brush. It worked like a charm. I’d try that one last thing before throwing in the paintbrush.

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