Replies

1. 
   plantlust | Sep 03, 2003 07:04am | #1

   Oh god.  Can I hope the previous owner is dead?
   When removing paint from any surface, start with the least destructive method and work your way up the ladder.  There's a thread here somewhere about a painted brick fireplace.  In your case I don't think you should be thinking ATALL about sandblasting.  I don't even think pressure washing would be a good idea.  I vaguely remember soapstone as being pretty fragile.  Maybe start with a heatgun in a non-noticeable place?  I would think the soapstone would absorb some of the heat and radiate back into the paint which should be able to be scraped off.  I hope heat doesn't react w/soapstone.  Perhaps a weak chemical stripper for the next try?

   Sounds almost like you need to speak w/someone who knows the properties of soapstone and is a restoration expert.  Yikes, what a nightmare to deal with... 
   My sympathies.

   This jobless recovery has done more to promote the consumption of exquisite chocolate than the finest chocolatier.  Cost be damned.

2. 
   fredsmart48 | Sep 03, 2003 07:08pm | #2

   soap stone is us in chemistry labs tables because acid don't effect it as I under stand so most paint striper won't cause much harm.  One company use it a feet warmers you put in in oven or fire place and heated up and wrapped in a material in put it under the covers to warm your feet so so heat gun should also remove paint with out damaging it. 

   Just remember soap stone is soft, you can scratch it with penny held between your fingers and rubbing it back and forth on the soap stone.