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January 8, 2009
Remove paint from marble mantel
I have a marble fireplace mantel that has been painted (it looks like two different times and colors), and I want to remove the paint. Any suggestions for what product(s) I should use, or the best process to use to get the old paint off. Thanks much.
Comments
Are you sure it's marble and not slate? That is the first question. Many slate mantles were faux painted to look like marble. They have no curves, where marble was usually carved. As for removing the paint, don't use anything acidic, as it will destroy the marble. I don't know the professional way to do it, but heat would be easy. If it's lead paint, you need to stay below 600 degrees, since that is the temperature at which lead vaporizes. Usually that means the low dial on the heat gun, but check the specs. Don't ues steel scrapers, as they will scratch the mable. Use plastic scrapers and brass brushes. Standard paint removers are usually lye based and alkaline, so I don't know what effect that has on marble. I have been disapointed with Soy based products.
Posted by: Iknow at January 8, 2009 1:20 PM
Although rather unpleasant during the process (keep the window open), brush-on chemical removers do the trick the fastest. Echo Iknow's recommendations about scrapers & brushes.
I have been disappointed with soy based products as well. Any western food like a hamburger that's mad instead of soy is just awful. Ma po dou fu is a completely different story.
Sorry, just had to.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 8, 2009 1:26 PM
If it's marble, you can sand the paint off and then polish it.
Posted by: superstooper at January 8, 2009 1:51 PM
DO NOT SAND OR USE ANY ABRASIVES ON THE FIREPLACE!
If there is lead, the dust will make you very unhappy a few years down the road and rather immediately you'll be upset about the damage to the surface of the marble.
I'd recommend using Peel Away 7 or Dumond Chemical's latest Smart/Eco strip to safely remove the layers of paint, while safely containing any possible lead and not inducing any harm to the marble. 12-24hrs of the paste sitting on the mantle, gently scrape it off with plastic tools, use dental picks gently for any detailed areas, rise down with water, and enjoy.
Posted by: FenFen at January 8, 2009 2:06 PM
Peel Away works great!
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at January 8, 2009 2:10 PM
Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll try one of the chemical removers with plastic tools.
Posted by: steve246 at January 8, 2009 3:25 PM
Peel away 1. Make sure you plastic and tape the floor to avoid staining paint removal of adjacent flooring.
Posted by: OTIS at January 8, 2009 3:45 PM
ditto on Peel Away #7, but this stuff will burn a hole through flesh pretty easily, so dress appropriately.
Posted by: tiptoe at January 8, 2009 4:00 PM
Anyone know how to strip the top layer of paint away to reveal the original faux marble paint? You know, like the restorers at the Sistine Chapel must do?
Posted by: mopar at January 8, 2009 4:10 PM
I have been reading about a technique for taking paint off which is to use a steamer....The idea is that the hot steam will condense on the cold marble (under the paint) and lift it. Haven't done it yet, i am working on stripping paint off my tin cielings.
Posted by: Oldtiles at January 8, 2009 6:11 PM
Peel away is great, it just takes a lot of patience. Don't use the Peel Away 1--use the one for stone, I think it's 6.
It's expensive, but it is ostensibly "nontoxic."
Posted by: vanburenproud at January 8, 2009 6:18 PM
Use peel away or there is another one (rock hard? something like that) and wear gloves and long sleeves and pants or you will be a mess and have lots of cuts and burns. Ouch.
Posted by: donatella at January 8, 2009 8:51 PM
peel away, just be prepared for way more coats than the label claims..remember that marble is real, real soft and damages easily from sharp tools or abrasives...code word gentle and patient
Posted by: eman1234 at January 8, 2009 9:23 PM
It's Rock Miracle, Donatella. LOL! BTW, I recently had a similar problem involving a very dark green paint that had been applied to my white marble windowsills.
Although the woodstripper did a pretty good job of getting most of it off, I can still see some very faint hints of the green in places where it looks like the color was actually absorbed into the marble. Worse, there are now places where the stripper applied stain to the newly-stripped window casings and now there is a bit of that stain that seems to have tinted the stripped marble as well! IOW, depending on the color and how much paint/stain there is to remove, you may not get absolutely perfect results. Eman1234's advice is mine exactly.
Posted by: Brooklynista at January 8, 2009 10:18 PM
Don't bother trying the silent paint stripper (infrared). It barely softens the paint as the stone abosrbs the heat energy infinitely without getting to the temp that the paint loses its bond with the stone. Tried it on slate to no avail.
Posted by: renomandru at January 9, 2009 3:25 PM
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