Rust on top of a stove, tight space

bemental said:

Hello all,

We've got a Jotul Rockland installed and had a helluva rain storm a few weeks back. Water must have seeped down the liner during the storm and leaked on top the stove, and now we've got some rust I need to take care of.

Rust is in a ridiculously tiny space, and I'm not sure I'll be able to get to it without having someone come and remove the stove.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

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Dremmel with sander attachment?

bemental said:

The space is so small that even with the flexible Dremmel extension I can't get in there. :/

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If you can get a finger in there then wrap it with sand paper and kick it old school.

bemental said:

I'm afraid it's too deep, and also goes around the back to the stove pipe (I fear).

Looking more and more like I'm going to have to pay someone to come out and do it for me.

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Out of ideas. Sorry.

From your photo it appears to me that the gap you show is the space between the top of the surround and the actual insert. If this is correct, then it should be a simple matter of removing the surround to gain access to the stove top for whatever maintenance you want to do regarding the rust. When the stove is cold remove the surround and see what you are working with. I suspect you will have enough space in there to do whatever you want. Your stove manual will likely show you how to remove the surround if you don't already know. As for the rust, it looks pretty minimal in your photo. A little steel wool and a quick coat of paint and you might be ready to go. Good Luck.