Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Antique Enamel Stove Restoration

:( Hi
I've recently been given an antique french stove that appears to have been sitting in a garden for a number of years. The iron parts will be easy to retore as i can just blast the rust off. The Enamel is harder. It has become discoloured by what looks like some kind of light green calcium deposit or oxidation. I'm not really sure. I can rub it off using wire wool but it is very tough and will take days to get off. Does anyone know of a method to clean up old weathered enamel? maybe some kind of chemical that wont destroy the surface?

Any help or links would be great.

Thanks

Anyone got any ideas?
Please!!!!

You could try automotive rubbing compound followed by a similar type of abrasive based polishing compound.

You can first try by hand and if it doesn't work too well try a buffer using these same compounds.

Take care not to use abrasives on enamel finish, as you can scratch it. CLR might be effective for removing calcium and other deposits.

Well I had a bit of a disaster yesterday. I tried a lime scale removing toilet cleaner. It fizzed away and completely removed the deposits however it also striped the glossy surface off the enamel. Bugger! Fortunately i did it in a test area and as we should always learn from our mistakes...... I've established it is definately a limescale substance which covers the stove. There fore i need something to remove limescale without destroying the enamel.

Twelvepole - What is the CLR that you mentioned? I'm prepared to give anything a go! Otherwise I'll have to re-enamel it and as its got a beautifull art deco enamel colouring underneath all the limescale I'd rather not.

Thanks for the advice.

Lime's a base, so any weak/dilute acid will attack it. Try vinegar.

CLR or a similar product Lime-a-way are milder forms of acid than that the toilet bowl cleaner you used.

Vinegar might be a good thing to try as suggested.
If that doesn't work the CLR would likely not damage the finish but try it again on a hidden area.
You can get these descalers at pretty much any hardware or building center.

I'll give the vinegar a gop over the weekend and let you know how i get on. If that doesn't work I'll get a de scaler. I've had a quick look on the web for CLR. Doesn't look like i can get that over here in Blighty but I'm sure i can get something similar.

Thanks very much for the advice.