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Can I paint fireplace end irons?

When I bought my house, they came with some end irons in the fireplace. They're nothing special, but since they are there, I have kept them in the fireplace. I have a grate that I use to stack and burn the wood, so these things simple sit to the side. Problem is they are pretty ugly colored, kind of gray or iron colored. I have seen some of these things with a nice bronze color. Is it possible to paint them a nice bronze color, and if so what type of paint stands up to the heat. Also, what were these things originally used for? Or were they simply decorative? Thanks

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    First they are called andirons. You can use high temp paint made for fireplaces and grilles or engines. If you use them the paint should hold up pretty good, and may just come off of the ends. I use fireplace black wax on mine. Makes them look like new, and copper polish on the handles. I'm not sure if they make bronze colors in high temp paint. Good luck!

  • 1 decade ago

    There are very few paints that will truly stand up to heat. They claim to be high temperature paint but usually at about 200 degs F, they start to fail. If you paint them, you will probably have to move them away when you have a fire in the fireplace. Give the paint idea a try but don't expect too much.

    End irons are another form of wood support to provide an air space under the logs so they will burn better. They serve the same propose as your grate but are not as effective because they don't support the smaller pieces as the wood burns down.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    The correct name is andirons and were used to stack logs of wood onto for burning. Drive to the nearest automotive store and see what they have in stock for high temperature cans of paint. Krylon, Rustoleum to name a couple have several colors of paints to withstand the heat they will endure. It sounds like they are more for decoration than functional. If so the paint may last a little longer as the don't get too hot for periods of time. Spray them outside on news paper on a calm day to prevent drifting

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    I would carefully use muratic acid and a wire brush to clean every square inch. Make sure you use rubber gloves and do the job quickly. Muratic acid is very powerful and keeps working until it is neutralized with water. I also suggest keeping a water source close to where you are working. The second step would be to apply oil to the entire surface to keep it from rusting back up. My final suggestion is to then keep the fireplace in a controlled atmosphere (heated) so it will stay new looking for a long time.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I am not sure what these things you are talking about look like, but if they are in the fire place and exposed to heat you can paint them but you will have to use a high temp. paint. You can also get stove black to use on them,it is a product like paint to use on wood stoves , of course that is only black(I think it only comes in black, you might check with a store that sells wood burning stoves), High temp. paints are used on engines a lot so you can also look at a auto parts store for engine paint. They have them in a few colors.

  • 1 decade ago

    If they are subjected to flame or intense heat.....you will have to use a high temp paint. Ask your local hardware what is available.

  • 1 decade ago

    yea u can do that my friend did it

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