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/ Remodeling, decor and home improvement for old homes Fri, 25 May 2012 04:29:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: pam kueber http://retrorenovation.com/2008/12/12/can-nancys-fireplace-bricks-be-cleaned-or-should-she-just-paint-over/comment-page-1/#comment-125610 pam kueber Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:45:44 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=7708#comment-125610 Thanks for the tip -- I am going to give this a try on my own two fireplaces, and will report back! Thanks for the tip — I am going to give this a try on my own two fireplaces, and will report back!

]]> By: Nathan http://retrorenovation.com/2008/12/12/can-nancys-fireplace-bricks-be-cleaned-or-should-she-just-paint-over/comment-page-1/#comment-125608 Nathan Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:02:58 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=7708#comment-125608 You probably already did something, but the best way to clean soot, smoke (and I'm going to guess minerals or anything else) from brick is to use a "rubber" sponge or a "dry cleaning" sponge. I would NEVER use any liquid to clean a porous surface like brick unless is was an absolute last ditch effort. I spent a summer doing fire and flood damage cleanup and these WORK. This is a link to one brand but you can probably find something similar in your local hardware store. http://www.parish-supply.com/dry_cleaning_sponge.htm Pro tip, once both sides of the sponge are soiled, split it down the middle for two more clean sides. You probably already did something, but the best way to clean soot, smoke (and I’m going to guess minerals or anything else) from brick is to use a “rubber” sponge or a “dry cleaning” sponge. I would NEVER use any liquid to clean a porous surface like brick unless is was an absolute last ditch effort. I spent a summer doing fire and flood damage cleanup and these WORK. This is a link to one brand but you can probably find something similar in your local hardware store. http://www.parish-supply.com/dry_cleaning_sponge.htm Pro tip, once both sides of the sponge are soiled, split it down the middle for two more clean sides.

]]> 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.

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