Sandblasting Iron Fixture

Steps:

1. Take a trip down to a local home store and rent an air compressor, hopper and sandblaster attachment. Set up compressor in an adjoining room, in order to protect the motor from sand filled air.

2. Fill hopper to about half-full with medium grit coal slag sand. Put on dust mask, gloves and goggles.

3. Hold nozzle at a 90-degree angle, between 1 to 4-inches from the grate and slowly sweep back and forth in a continuous motion, being careful not to pit the iron.

4. If the nozzle clogs, disconnect the hose from the hopper and run some air through the nozzle. Use a piece of scrap wood as a shield to protect areas around fireplace.

5. Sweep up sand that ricochets off the fireplace and sift back into the hopper to reuse.

6. When necessary, take occasional breaks to let the pressure build back up inside the air compressor.

7. Sweep and vacuum the work area. Apply a protective coating to the iron to prevent rust.