cement removal from bricks

[ChilliChowder]

G'day Everyone

Anyone got any bright ideas for removing cement from bricks?

Some bright spark has previously decided to slather cement onto the bricks at the front of my house in an awful attempt at re-pointing it. We have dug out the cement inbetween the bricks, but it was done so poorly that cement is all over the faces of the bricks... We have tried wire brush, scraping, sanding disc and a few other things but they are all either too violent on the bricks beneath (it is right by the front door so we don't want to ruin the bricks) or just totally ineffective.

Is there any magic chemical (acidic if my chemistry doesn't fail me entirely?) that might help clean old cement from bricks?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mikric]

could try brick cleaner (acid) from your local builders merchants ,but not sure how well you will get on if its been stained for a long period of time though.

 

[ChilliChowder]

could try brick cleaner (acid) from your local builders merchants ,but not sure how well you will get on if its been stained for a long period of time though.

Cheers Mikric... I have had the same thought, and will try it if no alternatives come up... I have a feeling that it wouldn't cut the mustard - but I have been wrong (many times) before!

Our friend google has thrown up several products such as

http://www.worldofclean.co.uk/index.php?productID=419

but I am worried about damaging/discolouring the bricks and would like reassurance before taking the plunge.

Cheers

 

[mikric]

Give it a go in a small area mate but for the price of that stuff you can get a 5 litre tub from builders merchants ,which is what i would try first.

 

[ChilliChowder]

Give it a go in a small area mate but for the price of that stuff you can get a 5 litre tub from builders merchants ,which is what i would try first.

Sweet... cheers, I shall have a crack and report back.