Fireplace Surround Finish

Hello All,   We are restoring the cast iron surround of our non working Victorian marble fireplace. We are undecided on the finish, flat or semi-gloss. Any thoughts? The style and furnishings of our row house is contemporary, although the fireplace and architectural details are traditional (if that factors into the equation at all). Thank you

reno101

in Chimney and Fireplace 13 years and 4 months ago

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callalily | 13 years and 4 months ago

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Stove black (polish) is what was used originally. A couple of places listed on Google have it.

tinarina | 13 years and 4 months ago

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I use stove polish, which is black impregnated wax used for wood stoves. Put it on over clean, rust-free metal. Looks great and can be reapplied every couple of years if necessary.

stevecym | 13 years and 4 months ago

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I will make a suggestion in line with what dave says and I have done this with metal hinges, etc.  Gun Blue.  I have removed all of the rust from steel, acid washed it and blued it just like a gun.  Now, we all know that guns rust, right?  so after applying the gun blue I spray the item with lacquer. even if you do not blue, I would consider lacquer over the poly or shellac on metal.  I have never used those on metal so do not know how they will last, but it is common practice to lacquer metal (lacquered brass).  Also, rust mort on the steel will apply a clear coat that make the metal look a little blue. I have a customer who does restoration work for one of the museums and she told me about a product that finishes steel in a black iron look.  It is not gun blue but by the way she was speaking, it reacts with the metal (like blue) as opposed to sitting on the metal (like paint).  A little poke on the net my bring up some alternative finishes. Some of these may be inherently rust preventive. Steve http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/tinkerswagon

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 4 months ago

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Similar to Summer covers, most of these were not painted.  A nice satin polyurethane or shellac over the metal, once the paint is removed might look best.