# Care and cleaning of a fake-brass (steel) fireplace enclosure/screen (rust & paint spots)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-and-cleaning-of-a-fake-brass-steel-fireplace-enclosure-screen-rust-paint-spots/520407>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [December 8, 2009, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-and-cleaning-of-a-fake-brass-steel-fireplace-enclosure-screen-rust-paint-spots/520407 "2009-12-08T04:46:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2009, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-and-cleaning-of-a-fake-brass-steel-fireplace-enclosure-screen-rust-paint-spots/520407/1 "2009-12-08T04:46:46Z")

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I purchased a used enclosure for the front of my fireplace today. The enclosure looks sort of like a wide metal picture frame that fits snugly over the front opening of my brick fireplace. Within the frame are two pairs of bi-fold glass doors. Behind the doors is a movable metal screen that acts like a curtain to contain flying embers.

Now, while the enclosure is essentially sound, it has certainly seen better days. The finish is brushed brass-colored, but the thing is really made of steel. I’m guessing the base metal is plated with a thin layer of brass (or some other yellow metalic coating) followed by a layer of clear lacquer.

Here’s the problem. There are numerous rust, abrasion, and paint spots on the frame that I’d like to clean/remove/minimize. I’ve never dealt with a wacky fake-brass finish like this before, and I’m looking for advice and direction from you fellow Dopers.

Can I use steel wool, Scotchbrite, or paint remover on the finish? If not, what?

Also, let’s say I wanted to lose the brass look entirely and paint the thing with (heat-resistant) paint. How would I prep the surface?

I’m open to all suggestions and ideas, so fire away, all you handyman Dopers. Thanks all, in advance.

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**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-and-cleaning-of-a-fake-brass-steel-fireplace-enclosure-screen-rust-paint-spots/520407/2 "2009-12-08T14:23:09Z")

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Morning bump!

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**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2009, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-and-cleaning-of-a-fake-brass-steel-fireplace-enclosure-screen-rust-paint-spots/520407/3 "2009-12-08T15:27:50Z")

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My dad just up and painted his with black heat-resistant paint. No prep, just went for it.