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DETAILING THE FIREPLACE
Acid Wash And The Fireplace Xtrordinair
NOTE:
IF INSTALLING THE FIREPLACE XTRORDINAIR WITH A
BRICK OR STONE FACING, READ THE FOLLOWING WARNING ON
ACID WASH:
Gold is the very best available material for plating fireplace fronts, but it is not indestructible.
The most common complaint with any plated surface on a wood burning fireplace is
discoloration. This can only be caused by heat and chemicals. The discoloration is
permanent and cannot be removed without removing the gold plate. The following warning
will help keep the shine in the gold plating.
In the past, we have experienced having to re-plate gold faces and/or doors that have been
tarnished as a direct result of an acid wash that has been improperly neutralized on masonry
fireplaces. It is a universal problem Ð one we would like to prevent from happening in the
future.
This condition occurs when the masonry fireplace is newly constructed and excessive mortar
must be removed from the surface of the brick. The mason will use a solution of muriatic acid
to remove this mortar and then will wash down the fireplace with a solution of ammonia water
to neutralize the acid. If the mason either forgets to wash down the fireplace, or does an
inadequate job, muriatic acid will be left in the brick.
Whenever the fireplace is heated enough, either from a fire or from room heat, acid vapors
will be released from the brick. These vapors are extremely corrosive and will attack any
metal surface in the immediate area of the fireplace. Steel products will show signs of heavy
rusting. Brass items will show either a brownish discoloration or in severe cases, a greenish
or bluish corrosion very similar to that found on automobile batteries. Gold plated surfaces
will develop a cloudy film over the entire surface of the plate. We have seen cases where
pictures in the same room have fallen from the wall because the acid vapors had eaten
through the wire.
Replacement of the glass door WILL NOT CURE THIS PROBLEM! We have had instances of
three different doors installed on a acid hearth fireplace and all three doors were severely
damaged by the acid vapors. The correct repair is to have the masonry contractor come out
to the house and wash down the entire fireplace face to neutralize this acid condition. If this
is a new home, the repair should be covered under warranty by the home builder. If this is an
older home, the consumer may have some recourse from the seller.
We stress that this condition is not a defect in the manufacture of the plating, but an acid
problem with the brick or stone of the fireplace face.
It is our hope that the above warning will prevent any damage to the gold on the fireplace. To
test the brickwork for improper neutralization use a spa or pool test strip which is available at
spa and pool stores. Apply one drop of water to the brick and touch the test strip to the brick
(Refer to instructions on the packaging when reading the test strip). If the strip shows a high
acid content, take steps to properly neutralize the brick.
Please be aware that the warranty for the Fireplace Xtrordinair will not cover damage to the
plating as a result of an improperly neutralized acid wash.
Page 44
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