Painting vs. Polishing a Wood Stove

Preparation

• Stoves in poor condition or that need repairs must be prepared before painting or polishing. Remove rust with a wire brush attached to a drill, steel wool, or a product such as naval jelly, water-displacing spray or commercial rust remover. Apply rust remover to rusted-shut bolts or hinges. Repair minor cracks and seams in cast-iron stoves with furnace cement. If the damage is severe, consider having the stove sandblasted. Non-operating hinges and vents may need to be removed by acetylene torch and replaced with new parts.

Painting

• High-temperature spray paint is typically used on wood stoves, rather than paint applied by brush. The process involves cleaning the stove, using a high-temp primer and then spray-painting the exterior surfaces. The stove dries for an hour, and then a second coat of paint is applied if necessary; generally, a single coat suffices. The paint then cures over the next three or four firings. Expect the paint to get sticky and smoke while the fire burns; this is normal. Paint that is too thick or that is applied over dirt or rust will peel.

Polishing

• Polishing involves cleaning the stove and then applying a layer of polish called stove black. The polish is applied to a cold surface with a damp cloth, allowed to dry for 10 to 15 minutes and then buffed to a smooth finish. The polish cures over the next few firings of the stove, and it may smoke and smell bad until curing completely. Polish can be used on cast iron or steel, but it will not adhere to areas that have been sandblasted. Use a product specifically designed for use on stoves.

Considerations

• Both painting and polishing require good ventilation. Work on the stove outside if possible. If it's not possible, open doors and windows, turn on fans and arrange a drop cloth around the base of the stove. High-temperature spray paint comes in a variety of colors, while the stove black used for polishing only comes in black. Polish can't be used over paint and may rub off on things that come into contact with it. It stains the skin, so wear gloves when working with it. Cleanup requires use of a mild bleach solution. Stove polish prevents further rust from forming.