Painting a cast iron fireplace insert?

[loopylou459]

I have painters in today.

They have suggested painting the cast iron fireplace inserts Matt black to freshen them up.

It sounds a bit weird to me - but I have to confess I'm no expert on these things!

Anyone know if this standard practice?

(They also suggested painting the beautiful slate hearth to which I of course said no! Perhaps that's why I am questioning the advice to paint the fireplace itself)

Don’t paint them!!!

NO!!!!!!!!!! Don't let them touch it. You can buy graphite stove polish for the cast iron. Tiny bit on an old cloth rubbed in then buff till your arm drops off.
Paint indeed...the heathens!

Noted! I'll tell them to back away from the fireplaces

Whatever you do, check that the product is safe in the event you actually want to use it as a fireplace, so I’d vote with using a product that is designed to clean/paint the insert but is also suitable for having flammable items in it afterwards. After years of renovating period homes, things I’ve learned the hard way., always get the chimney swept before decorating- even if you don’t plan to use it as a fireplace, get a cowl fitted ontop of the chimney to prevent birds falling down it and fit a breathable product (such as a chimney sheep) into the chimney to prevent heat loss / soot coming down in high winds.