Quote Originally Posted by bmccasland View Post
Seems to me that in time burning logs will take care of the paint loss - turning the back black with soot anyway. So why bother? And if you're going to paint, you'll have to scrub the soot off and need to paint in a "well ventilated space," which sounds like a springtime/summer job anyway. So put it off until spring and see how it looks.

Or is your house going to be in an upcoming issue of Better Homes & Gardens or Martha Stewart Living?
I didn't think about soot taking care of the problem - I've not lived with a fireplace before. I knew that someone here would be able to answer my question

They would likely highlight my apartment as an example of what NOT to do