Newbie

Hi! I’m a newbie here and I’m hoping to find some advice on cleaning and help in identifying a recent purchase. I recently purchased an antique fireplace summer cover. Based on the weight I’m guessing it is cast iron. I’m hoping to get some advice on the best way to gently remove the rust without damage. I like the aged patina but don’t want the excessive rust. It also looks like there is some Japanned copper detail that I want to try and preserve. I would also like any suggestions on how to research the approximate age and any other information I can find on this piece. I can post better photos if they will help! Thank you in advance for any advice you can provide!!

 

Hi J McCraw!

Welcome to Antiquers..............

 

Thank you and I apologize for putting my question in the introduction, I wasn’t sure where to post it!

I don’t remember seeing anything but I will take another look and let you know what kind of markings or numbers I find.

 

I don’t see any markings or numbers but I’m hoping once I can clean it a little and get the back panel off I will find something. These are pictures showing the back panel I want to remove and some of the front details that I want to make sure to preserve.

 

Cool piece. I found this on Worthpoint:



https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-cast-iron-surround-gas-1980526721

 

Best rust remover is naval jelly. You would need to be careful with any paint you want to preserve, as it will damage it with prolonged contact. Another option would be to use a rust converter that neutralizes rust and turns it black. It will not harm paint.

 

This looks exactly like my piece! Thank you!

 

Thank you! I keep seeing vinegar or baking soda on the internet but I wasn’t sure and didn’t want to do anything that might damage it!

 

best I worked with privately was Hammerite, a German product that also exists in spray variations for different metals and in different colors.

 

Hammerite is brilliant. They do rust converters and also seriously good paints.

 

Hammerite is an AkzoNobel company. They make products that protect metal forever! Every aircraft flying has it on it somewhere

 

the ones for a/c are not available at normal stores. they are too aggressive and should only be used adequately protected in a well aired place. some learnt it the hard way - in the Airbus plant in Hamburg several painters dropped dead on the job. good friend and a/c maintenanance engineer I worked together with and who was present in Hamburg at the time still had heart problems 10 years after he stopped working there and had to change the job.

quite funny how it was invented:
https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/ne...ntors-passion-for-paint-came-out-in-the-wash/

AkzoNobel would have been Dutch but when it started being sold in normal outlets in the mid-1980s it was produced in Germany for the continental market by the then owner of the name and patents.
AkzoNobel has its headquarters in Amsterdam due to the special conditions that were given by the government to help tax evasion; if it wasn't Dutch it would probably be Irish.

 

Is this something I will need to order online or is it sold in stores? I’m in the St Louis, MO area and it doesn’t look like it’s sold at Home Depot. Just curious how hard it’s going to be to find.

Thanks for all of the info!! People have been great, dropping in to share bits of knowledge. I didn’t even know where to start and I’m so glad I found this site!!

 

I'm near St. Louis in France...
you can order it online.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=hammerit...x=hammerite,aps,549&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_5_9

 

From Home Depot: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Loctite-Naval-Jelly-16-fl-oz-Rust-Dissolver-6-Pack-553472/203009402 or https://www.homedepot.com/p/Krud-Kutter-1-Gal-Rustex-Rust-Converter-RX012/203397073

If you want to order Hammerite in the US try Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=hammerite&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

 

Thanks!!!! I’m hoping once I clean up some of the rust/dirt I can find some markings to help find out more information.

 

Welcome!