I have a gas fireplace insert that has a very bright golden brass band across the top front of the glass and then also all along the edge of the fireplace. I would like to paint or chemically change this decor to black to match the rest of the fireplace or if I can do it with some chemical to dull it to some muted color of green or copper. Any suggestions that will withstand the heat of the fireplace will be appreciated. Thanks.
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Hi Tula,
This might work:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=978&SearchHandle=DADBDBDJDADADDDGDGDBDGDHDEGDDDDECNGCDDGBGECNDEDIGCGDCNDJGCDGGBCNDJDDGFDCDBDEDDGGDBDJDFGFDADADADBDADADADBDFGCHCGBHDHDCAGEGBHCGLGFGOGJGOGHDADADADEDADADADADADADADBDFDADADADBDADADADADADADADADADADADADBDADADADBDFGCHCGBHDHDCAGEGBHCGLGFGOGJGOGHDADADADBDB
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Pick up a can of "engine paint" at an auto parts store. It's rated to about 500 degrees or so.
Avoid the "high temperature" paint (commonly used for headers/exhaust.) It isn't nearly as durable, and generally looks pretty bad.
Scuff the brass with fine sandpaper or steel wool until you get a dull surface. Clean it with lacquer thinner or another aggressive solvent (make sure the pilot light is out, or better yet, remove it from the fireplace so you don't have to worry about overspray.) Paint it in a few light coats.
Oh, and paint a test area first. There are definately multiple shades of black.
Stained glass places have chemicals that will oxidize brass to various colors from black to brown. Don't know if there's one for green (that's usually copper). You may have an issue getting the coating off first, though. Most brass is coated with some clear finish that's a bear to remove and the chemicals won't work through this coating. If you don't get it all off, you'll end up with a splotchy job.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA