Restoring tiles, any suggestions

bbat

Hi all. I'm in the (long, exhasuting) process of stripping layers of paint off a cast iron fireplace. Its a victorian type with tile inserts. 

At some point someone has painted part of the tiles black, over the pattern. I don't know what with (see photo). Any suggestions on what to try to take this off? I've tried nail polish remover to see if it was that. I tried a dab of paint stripper. I'm not sure what it is. 

Ps- I know I could have got the fire surround taken away but on a budget and honestly didn't think it would take this long...the thick thick white gloss beneath the black paint was a surprise!)

plumb1_2

Try using soapy water and fine wirewool 

bbat

plumb1_2 said:

Try using soapy water and fine wirewool 

Thank you. I do have some fine wire wool from some polishing so I will try that

twopenny

Lovely tiles.

As long as you're gentle you can use all sorts as the glaze is glass. But thin. So surface cleaning you can use chemicals. Just don't rub too hard.

Previously I've used paint thiners in a can - car shops - that works well.