1rst process :
Assemble, like a puzzle, all the stones which belong to the fireplace(photo1). Stick back together the broken stones and reinforce, if necessary, with brass rods(photo3), plunged into special resins. Rebuild the missing parts(photo4) (if necessary).

2nd process :
Restore all what can be restored, using pieces of stone(photo5) to rebuild all the missing sculptures and mouldings. With Gérard Guérin, this process is made before stripping the fireplace (all the old fireplaces are painted), so that the new parts will have the same patina as the rest of the fireplace.

3rd process : the décapage (photo6)
In 98% of cases, fireplaces are covered with several coats of paint; caustic soda is the best product to remove them (for the professionals)(photo8). It is mixed with wallpaper paste in a lot of water and applied to the paint for several hours. According to the type and the thickness of the paint, the process may be repeated several times. After a complete rinse, stop the effect of the caustic soda with oxalic acid. Let it dry.(photo9)

4th process :
Once the paint has been removed, new flaws can appear (pegs, old restorations made with plaster, mastic or cement)(photo7), and they will have to be restored and given a patina again. This process will be more delicate than the others, for the patina has to merge with the rest of the fireplace. One will need a lot of imagination then. This is the special secret chemistry of Gérard Guérin. The last thing to do will be to remove the last paint marks in the corners and sculptures.(photo10) It will then lookas it did in the first place. It will be placed in the exhibition hall, waiting for a buyer to fall in love with it.

Before leaving for its new house, it will be send again in the workshop for a last check, to be put in the right dimensions and then packed. All the stones are numbered and listed on a specification sheet. A technical aid is available and a professional stone layer is at your disposal.

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