r/Fireplaces • u/paullyprissypants • 2d ago

What material is under this paint?

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Home built in the early 40s in San Francisco. The bottom side looks like a mortar bed. Remodels in the 60s and 90s but I’m pretty sure it’s original. The material sounds like stone or concrete when I knock on it. I don’t think it’s plaster.

I don’t know much about how they made this stuff back then.

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u/rjl12334567 2d ago

It’s probably wood

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u/paullyprissypants 2d ago

No way it’s wood based on how it sounds when I knock on it. But did they make concrete molds for stuff like this in the 40s?

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u/slyroooooo 1d ago

Most likely wood mantle + decorative pillars. Try drilling a small hole somewhere you won't notice. The dust and hardness should tell you what you need. After that just do the landlord special and cover the hole with a dab of white spackle or paint

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u/paullyprissypants 1d ago

What would you guess the decorative pillars are made out of?

I hate the paint but I’m afraid that once I start to strip it I may find something I need to paint anyways.