Hi Folks,
Several years ago I purchased two large cut limestone slabs to use as part of my hearth. I wasn't quite ready to complete the construction, so I burned for two years without it in place. Now i'm ready, and have the slabs in place, but they have two years of dust and some marking from the cardboard spacers the vendor used in delivery.
So, two things. First, I need to clean them. I'm thinking just mild soapy water and maybe a brass brush, but if there are any particular chemicals that do well with limestone, I'm not opposed to that idea.
Second, I want to seal the thing as well as possible. I didn't really know what I was getting into when I purchased them, and now realize that this material was probably a mistake. The thought of all those little pores getting packed with ash and sawdust makes me nervous. I'm almost inclined to pour a heavy epoxy coat on it, or something else that will be impervious to ash/soot/dust and hold up for a few years without requiring a re-do.
Any other suggestions before I go down that one way street?
Here's a quick shot to see what I'm getting into. It's two slabs, 2.5'x6'x2".
Thanks
Several years ago I purchased two large cut limestone slabs to use as part of my hearth. I wasn't quite ready to complete the construction, so I burned for two years without it in place. Now i'm ready, and have the slabs in place, but they have two years of dust and some marking from the cardboard spacers the vendor used in delivery.
So, two things. First, I need to clean them. I'm thinking just mild soapy water and maybe a brass brush, but if there are any particular chemicals that do well with limestone, I'm not opposed to that idea.
Second, I want to seal the thing as well as possible. I didn't really know what I was getting into when I purchased them, and now realize that this material was probably a mistake. The thought of all those little pores getting packed with ash and sawdust makes me nervous. I'm almost inclined to pour a heavy epoxy coat on it, or something else that will be impervious to ash/soot/dust and hold up for a few years without requiring a re-do.
Any other suggestions before I go down that one way street?
Here's a quick shot to see what I'm getting into. It's two slabs, 2.5'x6'x2".
Thanks