When winter or spring rolls around, it often gets chilly, and you can expect everyone to gather before the fireplace in your living room to get warm? So what do you do when you notice that your fireplace is coated in rust and you’re hosting guests in your living room? It is a nightmare situation but it’s also nothing to worry about.
If your metal fireplace is coated in rust, you may need to pull out its insert and coat it with baking powder and vinegar. These common household items are cleaning agents that get rid of rust on metal.
How to Remove Rust from Metal Fireplace
Here are seven easy steps that you need to follow to restore your rusted metal fireplace to prime working condition.
Step #1: Gear Up with PPE
Firstly, you’ll have to gear up with PPE. Wearing personal protective equipment is essential for removing rust from the fireplace. It helps protect your hands, eyes, and all other parts of your body that’ll come in contact with the rust. For this task, you will need to wear a safety helmet, boots, goggles, and gloves as per Regulation requirements. Once again, these are simply for your protection.
Step #2: Assess the Situation
Secondly, you’ll need to inspect the fireplace. Take a look at all the sides of the fireplace to determine the extent to which your metal fireplace has rusted. For instance, if the rust can be seen in a few areas along the front section of the metal, chances are that the degree of rust is minimal and it is concentrated in that area alone. If the rust extends beyond that, then the degree of rust is far too great and has spread along the sides of the entire insert.
Step #3: Recruit a Partner
Thirdly, you’ll have to pull out the insert and for this task, you’ll need to recruit a partner. Restoring a rusted fireplace with an entirely rusted insert is no easy task for one person. It requires a lot of heavy lifting and a friend who will help when you are in need is one that you can count on always. Your fireplace insert is that fireproof box that surrounds the metal fireplace. It helps conserve heat and increase the energy efficiency of your fireplace. It is a monstrosity to pull out, and a partner will help lighten your burden. So, kindly get a friend to help pull it out.
Step #4: Clear Out the Fireplace
Fourthly, you’ll need to clear out your fireplace. To begin, you need to turn off the power source of your fireplace. If it is gas-powered, turn it off and wait for a few moments for the gas to disperse. Then disconnect the gas line. An adjustable wrench will be your go-to tool for this activity.
Once this is done, remove the pieces within the fireplace, such as the lava rocks and log pieces. Then you can lie down across the fireplace while holding a screwdriver to locate the bolts connecting the insert to the chimney. Immediately they are located, loosen the bolts and screws to disconnect the insert from the chimney.
Step #5: Clear Out the Area
Fifthly, you’ll need to clear out the area where you’ll place the insert because it may be covered with both rust and soot particles that may get your living space dirty. To keep your floor surface clean, cover the mapped-out area with a drop cloth. Once you have done this, you can pull out the insert with the aid of your friend and place it on the drop cloth. Pulling it out can be tricky as an insert typically weighs over 200 pounds.
Step #6: Make a Paste
Sixthly, you will need to get a large bowl. In this bowl, pour in equal parts of baking soda and water. Mix both ingredients till it forms a paste. With the aid of a paintbrush, gently spread the paste over the rust-coated surface of the insert. Let the paste sit for a few minutes. The paste will act as a scouring powder, dissolving all rust particles coating the insert. Then use a brush to scrub away the rust from the surface.
Step #6: Add a Little Vinegar and Sand Away
Seventhly, dampen a cloth with distilled white vinegar and use it to wipe away all traces of rust that has been scrubbed off using the baking soda paste. Wipe the insert till you have a rust-free surface. Once this has been done, get some sandpaper, preferably the medium-grit type, to sand off the few traces of rust left.
Step #7: Paint, Paint, Paint
Finally, you’ll need to get some high-heat spray paint to paint the metal fireplace insert. Ensure that you cover all exposed surfaces within the area with a drop cloth because the spray paint travels far and is difficult to get rid of. After leaving it to dry, you can reinstall your insert.
So, there you have it, folks. Seven easy steps to getting rust off your metal fireplace and restoring it to look as good as new.
