Stripping a cast iron fireplace of paint (photos)

[mimos4]

Inspired by another thread about Peelaway, I'm considering using Peelaway 7 to get rid of the gloss cream paint on this cast iron Edwardian fireplace. As for the wooden bit above the metal fireplace, I think I'll just sand and repaint.

Is that a good idea? Is there a better solution? Have you done something similar and have tips?

We're having new carpet fitted in a few weeks, so I'm keen to do this before that happens.

Thanks in advance!

Thank you all. @ChiefInspectorParker roger re no water. Where the Peelaway got on the walls, were you able to remove and paint over at least?

Will 750ml of Peelaway be sufficient for a small fireplace? See photo. Just the white part I've circled.

@Davethecat2001 please could you link me to your thread at all?

Fireplace photo

My Edwardian fireplace renovation http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/homedecorationn_pictures/4370820-my-edwardian-fireplace-renovation

Thanks @Davethecat2001 did you use Peelaway 1 or 7?

I'm now wondering if I should use Kling Strip, which is a lot more economical, if it ends up the case that I need Peelaway 1 rather than 7. Argh!

@Callisto1 do you need to neutralise it if you're just going to apply polish (rather than painting) at the end?

@ChiefInspectorParker do you think I need roll and stroll if I'm planning to replace the carpet anyway? I was thinking just some newspaper

From what I remember we used neutraliser, but check the instructions. Peel away 1 and 7 work on different types of paint so worth using the tester if you don't know what you have.
We washed it very carefully because it was going to be in the baby's room and I didn't want any toxic residue in case the baby decided to chew on it! We also didn't apply anything on the dried fireplace and surprisingly 4 years later it's still pretty rust free.

@Callisto1 ah you didn't even apply grate polish at the end? The fireplace I'm going to strip is also in my toddler's room, though she's never shown any interest in it (so far). I've decided to use Kling Strip in the end, as I think I'd have to use Peelaway 1 really, and I couldn't justify the cost of 5L (the smallest size tub).

I used Kling Strip in the end. I applied a test patch and it worked fabulously. I then applied it to the entire fireplace, waited 24 hours, then stripped it. Unfortunately not all the paint has come off after an enormous amount of stripping, so I'm having to apply poultice again. This is a photo before I started applying poultice again.

So just a word of advice to anyone else trying this for the first time - apply as thickly as possible!

Thank you for this thread. We have three fireplaces that somebody painted matt black decades ago. They have been annoying me for years!

@ChiefInspectorParker thank you but I'm a bit annoyed - I'm essentially having to do it twice, because I didn't apply enough poultice the first time! It was pretty messy and took most of the day, but luckily we're getting new carpet soon.

A PP said not to use water I think. But you really have to, otherwise the stuff just doesn't come off. The company that sells Kling Strip is super helpful, and they said absolutely wash wash wash. They also said no need for a wire brush, just use a scrubber, but I've found a wire brush quite necessary, especially for getting the stuff out of intricate areas.

Anyone else wanting to share tips, or have questions, please shout! It would be nice to think future forum users can make use of this thread.

Btw that central black bit was already black so that's not me!

It's going well, I'm looking forward to seeing your finished result.
I think that unfortunately the blurb on these products makes it look like it's a simple 'peel off and it'll all be done' kind of a job, when really it takes a fair bit of work, patience and a lot of water. Still the best products to use for a good finish though.
My top tip is wet wire wool, and plenty of it.

Finished! It was a lot of work, and I really can't see how you'd do it if you wanted to save your carpet as well.

Key lesson is to apply a thicker layer than you think you need, as you really don't want to do the washing and stripping process twice.

Also: I found a small wire brush useful, contrary to what the Kling Strip company says (which is to use a normal scrubber). I don't think a bladed metal scraper is necessary, but a blunt scraper would be helpful to get the bulk of it off at the start.

As for the grate polish, I used a combination of a cloth and a small brush. I wasn't very sparing, and it's turned out ok.

I now just need to retouch the wall paint, paint the wooden surround (which I couldn't be bothered to Kling Strip as well...) and I'll be done!

I still have a tonne of Kling Strip left. If anyone lives in north London, let me know and I'll be glad to give it to you in exchange for chocolates 😄

Looks fab, well done

Thank you! 😊

Sorry I name changed but it's still me OP

It looks fabulous, so much better.