Cast Iron Fireplace Restoration -

Cast iron fireplace after being refinished.

Ingredients

Grinder
Wire brush grinder attachment
Respirator
Safety glasses
Rubber gloves
Cast iron polish
Rags
Sponge
2 Bowls
Water
Shop vac
Plastic drop cloths

Instructions

Assessing the Condition:
Before diving into restoration work, it's crucial to assess the condition of your cast iron fireplace. Look for signs of rust, corrosion, cracked tiles, or bricks. This assessment will help determine the scope and intensity of restoration required.
Prep the Room:
When doing a project such as this it is best if you could take the fireplace outside but if you are not able to remove the fireplace from the wall then you will need to prep the area for dust. Remove everything from the room or cover it with plastic. Use plastic to cover any doorways to prevent dust from going into other areas of your home.
Cleaning and Removing Rust:
Start by using a grinder and a wire brush attachment to remove any rust, paint, or loose debris from the cast iron. The goal is to get it down to raw cast iron. If any paint or finish is left on the cast iron then it won't take the polish and you will end up with blotchy cast iron. It is important to wear proper eye protection, a respirator, and gloves to protect yourself from the paint from releasing toxic fumes.
Clean Cast Iron:
Use a shop vac to clean up as much dust off the cast iron and surrounding area. Use two bowls one for clean water and one for dirty water to clean the cast iron. Wet a sponge with clean water and wipe so it picks up the dust. Wring out the sponge into the dirty water bowl and repeat this process at least two times or until no more dust comes off the cast iron when wiped.
Polish Cast Iron:
To give your restored cast iron fireplace a fresh look, consider polishing it with high-temperature cast iron polish specifically designed for use on cast iron. Follow the instructions per the bottle's recommendations and wear the proper protective gear when applying the polish.
Restore the Hearth and Mantle:
The mantle and hearth on our specific fireplace are made of slate. This method will not work on all materials so it is important to do a small test area in a small inconspicuous spot. Follow steps 1-4 using the same materials previously mentioned for the cast iron restoration. We were able to follow the same methods for restoration for our slate mantle and hearth pad.