What is this covering my brick fireplace?

12-20-2009, 02:06 PM	#1
g8master Newbie   Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3	What is this covering my brick fireplace? Is it paint, epoxy? I know there's brick underneath and I want it back! Any ideas how I can strip whatever this is and get to the beautiful brick? Thanks! Attached Images

Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. DIYChatroom.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any home improvement task!

12-20-2009, 03:06 PM	#2
Sprayboy Sprayboy-services.com   Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Omaha Posts: 105	What is this covering my brick fireplace? Methyl chloride will take about anything off. Get the 15 minute stripper stuff and wear rubber gloves. You can scrape it off with plastic scrapers and wipe it off with rags. Be careful with it as it will burn your skin.

12-20-2009, 06:45 PM	#3
chrisn paper hanger and painter     Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hagerstown MD Posts: 5,721	What is this covering my brick fireplace? Any kind of paint remover will not get ALL the paint out of brick. The only way would be to sand blast( with all different kinds of substances), not such a good idea on the interior. One good reason never to paint brick.

12-20-2009, 08:23 PM	#4
Sprayboy Sprayboy-services.com   Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Omaha Posts: 105	What is this covering my brick fireplace? You'll have to use a drill and a wire wheel to get the rest of it. It really does look like more mess than it's worth.

12-23-2009, 08:26 PM	#5
slickshift Tired, Cold, and Damp     Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 3,089	What is this covering my brick fireplace? The only for sure way I know to clean up brick (and not affect the brick) is a water/media blasting (both water and media at the same time) It requires specialty equipment, some experience, lots of plastic sheets to isolate the area, and is not a DIY project