Client had a nice home built 10 yrs ago, with a fully functional brick fireplace, except that she painted the inside black and filled it with dead flowers from the first day. There are a couple of mortar joints where the paint has failed, and close inspection shows that there is a bit of white powdery stuff under the paint…isn’t that efflorescence? Anyway, she wants the paint touched up so she can show and sell the house. How do I need to prep the brick and mortar? Don’t tell me how to stop the eff-stuff, cuz that means there’s a moisture leak somewhere, and fixin’ that’s not on the table. there are no signs of a leak anywhere else in the house.
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Replies
I would scrub it down with a vinegar and water solution and a stiff brush. Then rinse thoroughly with water. After it dries, touch it up with latex (not oil based) paint.
Normally, a person wouldn't use latex paint inside a firebox, of course, but since she's already wrecked it, you won't be making it any worse and you'll have a satisfied customer.
The efflorescense may not be from a leak but could be from condensation someplace, but most likely a leak. Do the light vinegar and rinse but paint it all. A touch up on something this old will look like a touch up patch job and a whole painting will go faster, unless this is so big it's a wall in chamber.
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How about just start a fire, burn off the paint, and the fireplace will look so much better.
On second thought, I am not sure burning off the paint is a good idea before she moves out. :)
Yeah, vinegar, or muratic acid, or whatever other acid you have in the truck.