VC Encore 1450 Paint Deterioration

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Cueman

New Member
Feb 7, 2011
39
RI
My VC Encore, classic black finish has developed paint deterioration on the front doors and sides of the unit. Not so much the top. It looks slightly rusty as well. Its not really chipped or flaking, as much as its just eaten away. Its only 1 year old, installed last February. I first noticed this beginning this summer. Curious if this is a humidity issue. Has anyone experienced this? I'm thinking about touch up paint, but its quite extensive.
I've heard an over-fire could cause this, but would assume the top of the unit would be affected as well, if that were the case. I do run it hot, but never over-fired. According to the VC manual, an over-fire on this unit is when you see any part glowing red. The hottest its been fired is 750 when I forgot to close the flue or air control one or two times, but no red glow (thankfully).

Any advice appreciated.
 
Wood stove paint is more of a temporary thing. Unless you burn cold fires the paint is always going to fade and deteriorate. I guess if you want it to stay you may have to count on freshening it up in the spring.
 
I would buy a stove without paint then....if they made em that way. I've seen VC stoves built in the 70s that look no different today then they did 30 years ago. I think I got a lemon paint job. My stove was built in 09, and should not have this problem already. Other than the paint issue, I'm very happy with the stove.
 
I had a similar problem with my Classic Black VC Encore 1450, towards the end of last season. I purchased it in the Fall of '10, so it was the first season with the stove. Towards the end of the heating season I was cleaning around my stove and I noticed that the paint came off when I wiped the side with a dry rag. Upon further investigation I discovered that all the pant would wipe off if I continued.

I followed the prescribed break-in procedure and never over-fired my stove, so I ascertained that most likely, the castings were not cleaned properly at the factory before painting, or there was a problem with the paint that was used. Over the summer I cleaned the whole stove with steel wool and then went over the whole stove with solvent to remove any oils. I re-panted with Stove Bright and i haven't had a problem since.

I spoke with the dealer about it this fall in casual conversation and he indicated that they probably would have covered it under warranty, but really it only cost me 2 can's of Stove Bright, so I didn't worry about it.

Overall the VC Encore 1450 has been a good stove for me, it is a little quirky, but I am used to it... No different than my Land Rover...
 
Sorry for being perceived as aggressive or rude. I don't know about VC stoves or the difference between stuff from the 70's vs. stuff from today. I'll just bet the paint is more family friendly than it was in the 70's. The castings were probably more pure back then too. I also have seen old stoves that look great and never been taken out of service for a paint job. Then again they burn at lower temperatures than EPA stoves. So again sorry if you don't like me venturing a guess at something I see regularly as people ask me about wood burning. I'm not an expert just a guy that has seen a lot of situations....
 
CRC, are you talking about black enamel chipping or an actual paint job? Is the stove shiny black or dull black?
 
Yes the stove is classic black NOT enamel. I wanted to specify because I too have seen a lot of talk about the enamel or porcelain finishes chipping. I actually got the classic to avoid the paint issues I've heard about with enamel.

RNLA I appreciate all input, not perceiving anyone to be aggressive or rude. Your probably right on the paint and castings then vs. now, and the hot burning EPA stoves. Glen Oaks, as a fellow Vermonter, I have a similar attitude towards the issue. How much time and effort is worth chasing a warranty, when its an easy fix project in the Spring. Its not that easy to swap out a 400lb piece of iron for a replacement. Right now my Encore is cranking at 650, the house is 70, and I really can't worry 'bout the paint job too much.

Glen did the Stove Bright make a good match? Did you consider the VC brand paint too?
 
Thanks man, I had my plate steel stove painted by the dealer before installation. I wish I had not done it, I wanted a charcoal color, I have similar issues and the dealer said to touch it up when needed. The reason I wish I had not gone for the custom color is because it was a nice black factory finish, now it looks kinda shabby.
 
I know, even in the manual for VC 1450 they suggest touch up paint as yearly maintenance. But I too am afraid that my paint job will not look stock, mostly because its a larger area to repaint than a chip or two. I guess I could leave it be like a fine patina, battle worn. I actually tried treating the affected areas with olive oil and that really cleaned it up nice, but did not last. Smelled good too when the stove was on. I thought to treat the cast iron like they recommend you care for cast iron cookware, which is not to clean it with soap, but just rinse and oil periodically...

what can you do....
 
I haven't owned a plain black cast iron stove who's finish didn't dull over a few years, with the exception of the T6. But that doesn't count because it has a cast iron jacket on a steel body.
 
BeGreen, with all due respect, you didn't read my posts. The stove is one year old. This is not a dulling of the finish, but actually deterioration of the paint. I'll try to get some pics up asap so I can get better feed back.
 
I actually did read them, but as you have pointed out, what one imagines from reading and what one actually sees can be very different. As always, pictures are much appreciated and often worth a thousand words. What we saw on our stove was a gradual breakdown, but higher heat can accelerate paint aging.
 
CRC, I went to a different VC Dealer to pick up paint than where I purchased my stove. The dealer recommended the Stove Bright over the VC paint, although, it could have been what they had in-stock.

I think it was the Flat Black, and it matched up perfectly. I didn't need to paint my warming shelves, and I masked off the legs, and I couldn't tell the re-paint from the original.
 
Thanks Glen, I just called a dealer today and he recommended the same product. That's reassuring. I think I'll do the same and NOT paint the parts I don't need to as you did. The dealer said just paint the whole thing so it matches. But I think limiting the use of spray paint inside the house is more important. Probably wait until Spring when I can open some ventilation.
What did you use for solvent? Thinner, acetone, MEK?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
VC Encore 1450 setup and questions
Replies
5
Views
1K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
DonTee
D
T
Make sure a VC Encore 1450 NC is in good nick
Replies
2
Views
756
Vermont Castings
Diabel
Diabel
Jason79er
Maiden Voyage, VC Encore 2040
Replies
11
Views
2K
Vermont Castings
Kevin Weis
K
N
Vermont casting Encore flex burn over firing?
Replies
10
Views
3K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
MMH
MMH
C
Vermont casting encore questions
Replies
1
Views
2K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Diabel
Diabel
Top Bottom
Back