How can I restore my fireplace?

by Gina

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How do I restore my fireplace back to it's natural look. I hate the glaze/sealer look..

7 answers

Ken Erickson on Jul 27, 2019

Do you want to clean it or redo the face?

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- Gina on Jul 28, 2019
  
  I just want it back its original look. Someone put sealer on it and now it's dark and shiny. I want to remove the sealer or glaze that was put on it.
  
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Mogie on Jul 27, 2019

Clean it well with tsp and then white wash it.
http://www.coastalcollectiveco.com/blog/how-to-whitewash-stone-diy-fireplace-makeover

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- Gina on Jul 28, 2019
  
  It's pretty but it wouldn't tie in with my home.....
  
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Prelude on Jul 27, 2019

I understand her to mean she wants a natural stone appearance and lose the glazed finish. I think before anyone can answer adequately it would have to be known if the fireplace was real natural stone originally

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- Gina on Jul 28, 2019
  
  Yes. It is real, natural stone.. cobblestone. Our house is partially cobblestone on the outside. The outside stone is light in color and beautiful. That's what I want the fireplace to look like...here is picture of the outside of my home. The stone is much lighter and prettier.
  
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- Prelude on Jul 28, 2019
  
  Gina, your home is beautiful. I imagine the product used to create the glaze finish would have to be removed chemically. If it was on the outside of your home, some might consider a light sand blasting. I think I would consult someone in the trade and have it restored professionally. As Mona indicated, it may have to be re-sealed for protection.
  
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Mona Blake on Jul 27, 2019

Clean, seal and polish. The best way to clean a fireplace is with vinegar water and a soft scrub brush. The brush pulls the crud out of the nooks and crannies. Vinegar water: 1 cup vinegar to 3 cups water. Let dry for a day. Buy a fireproof glaze to seal the stone.

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- Gina on Jul 28, 2019
  
  The glaze is what I don't like. It has darkened the stone and made it shiny. I want it back to it's natural look before the glaze was put on...
  
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- Mona Blake on Jul 28, 2019
  
  If you don't seal it, you will have to rebuild it sooner. The glaze makes the stone harder and less chance of crumbling. Talk to a chimney sweep about alyernatives.
  
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Ken Erickson on Jul 28, 2019

Test the finish in a small area. Try a paint or varnish remover. Previous owner was probably tired of soot build up and added a varnish or poly coating to protect the rock.

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Gina on Jul 29, 2019

Thank you!!

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Michelle on Mar 02, 2021

Please don't paint it. It needs a good cleaning. A safe product to use is Bio Green Clean. I've used it on marble, wood , basically everything! It really cleans fantastic, and is non toxic. I've not really had to "refinish " anything.

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