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I’m re-building a fire destroyed house. The chimney is still good shape except for heavy coat of smoke on the bricks. Nothing seems to help wash it off. I’ve tried acid, paint remover, paint thinner, kerosene, etc. The sandblasting kit on my power washer works but is there a better way. The brick is used brick so some are a little soft. Other details are; it is a brick veneer over a concrete core with lots of steel.
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FWIW My mason usually uses a six inch grinder with a wire wheel with good results. Good Luck
PS. As I try not to be present when he performs this somewhat messy operation, I don't know which type of wheel he uses. A reputable tool supply house should be able to give you the right one.
*Have you tried bleach ?The bleach may take some time to work, but I would think it would get the smoke stain and not affect the brick.
*okely dokely homer- the brick is pourous unless it,s glazed- that means you ain't ever going to get all the smoke stains out short of sandblasting- if the brick is glazed the mortar won't be and you still ain't going to get the stain out short of sandblasting- unless you grind or chisel out enough mortar to tuck point- try using TSP and a power washer and forget about a perfectly clean surface. That smoke stain adds character and charm and whatnot- the other advice I,d have is cover it up with soaps or a new veneer if possible...
*painted brick is also nice ... and , it doesn't destroy the soft brick
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I'm re-building a fire destroyed house. The chimney is still good shape except for heavy coat of smoke on the bricks. Nothing seems to help wash it off. I've tried acid, paint remover, paint thinner, kerosene, etc. The sandblasting kit on my power washer works but is there a better way. The brick is used brick so some are a little soft. Other details are; it is a brick veneer over a concrete core with lots of steel.