How do I make black limestone hearth grey?

[Lisa]

Hearth

• Lisa
• Mar 11, 2017

Hi

We have just had a new fire in with black limestone hearth but I wanted it to be grey like the one I saw in the guys warehouse. I'm guessing this was weathered but how can I get the same effect with my indoor hearth? I was light grey if possible. Unpolished. Raw. Rustic

Thanks

 

[Lisa]

I liked it better this colour as it was going in only not dirty

 

[Qwerty]

That hearth looks like painted or over sealed slate to me (may just be the photo).
Any better photos?

 

[Qwerty]

Sorry, you posted the second pic whilst I was typing!!!!! It looks more like limestone in that pic. How was it cleaned & sealed?

 

[Lisa]

Then he washed it with baby wipes. I thought because it wasn't oiled etc, it would go grey when dry but it's jet black

 

[Lisa]

Sorry, you posted the second pic whilst I was typing!!!!! It looks more like limestone in that pic. How was it cleaned & sealed?

Thanks. It's limestone. We asked for it unoiled so I don't think it has anything on it to seal it. We wanted it really bare and raw and not 'finished' with sealers etc. Wanted it grey in contrast to the jet black fire

 

[Old Mod]

Something like Fila Deterdek may work.

Fila Deterdek Acid Floor Cleaner 1L - http://m.builderdepot.co.uk/fila-deterdek-acid-floor-cleaner-1l.html?gclid=CNHXgNuRztICFUieGwod9ZAABg

But probably just best our uncle Bob comment first.
@Lithofin BOB we know you can fix stuff Bob, but can you un-fix this?

 

[Qwerty]

Baby wipes!!?? They can have oils in them. It certainly looks heavily sealed to me.
If you can't readily find out if & what it was sealed with then I would look to clean it thoroughly with something like Lithofin Power Clean or LTP Grimex. Let it dry fully and then lightly seal with something like LOT Mattstone or Lithofin Stain Stop.

As @3_fall says, @Lithofin BOB is the man!

 

[Old Mod]

I know deterdek is an acid, my thinking was that maybe it'd make 'bloom' and leave it white and patchy and a bit wrecked haha
But I'm just guessing. Never had to mess up stone before.

 

[Lithofin BOB]

As above , a diluted acidic product will grey/ poss whiten as it burn into the calcium based stone
Deterdek is a buffered acid so could be a possibility ,
Do you have offcuts to play with and you could test dilution rate say 1-10 to start , then increase for a more distressed look , could be patchy.
If you had off cuts , test diluted vinegar, lemon used to distress match with that even. Rinse well
Note .you won't get an even grey all over with any of above

 

[Lithofin BOB]

Lisa , looking again .is that finished pic with the fire in it yours , as plan, it does look sealed , if so you can just strip it out

 

[Lisa]

Lisa , looking again .is that finished pic with the fire in it yours , as plan, it does look sealed , if so you can just strip it out

Hi

Yes all the pics are mine as it was being done. The top one is how it looks now. They just cleaned it up with baby wipes. How do I strip it out?

Thanks

 

[Lithofin BOB]

If there is an oil in there ,A natural stone stripper, 1 litre- if you have a local tile shop they will have one for you , us - fila - ltp all suitable

When you pore water onto the surface , does it bead? Or does it sink in

 

[Lisa]

If there is an oil in there ,A natural stone stripper, 1 litre- if you have a local tile shop they will have one for you , us - fila - ltp all suitable

When you pore water onto the surface , does it bead? Or does it sink in

I haven't tried. I'll give it a go

 

[Lisa]

It's not sinking in I don't think? Not sure if it would be instant? Attached a pic and a closer pic of the limestone

 

[Qwerty]

Water beads so this is most likely sealed. It will need stripping off as previously stated

 

[Dan]

A good wash with soap to get the oils off could be a free first test.

 

[Dan]

Can i also say i think it looks lovely jet black with the burner on it, total contrast to the walls. Stands out lovely IMO. Give it a week as it is and see if you end up liking it?

 

[Lisa]

Just an update. They came and replaced it with one that's not sealed

 

[Sean Kelly]

I think Lisa was right. It looks lovely. Well done. I bet you can't wait till Winter !!!!

 

[Qwerty]

Thanks for taking the time to share the update with us @Lisa , glad you're happy with it.