Scratches on soapstone top

since your soapstone is not polished use steel wool. If that doesnt take them out,
start 600 wet and move to 1000 wet and then steel wool.
I forgot what grit steelwool you need to use. call woodstock for any questions, they will inform you.

The maintenance kit description says "A piece of #00 steel wool is included to buff out any scratches or stains on the external soapstone panels."

Check that steel wool. I believe Woodstock recommends 0000 steel wool rather than the 00.

very fine steel wool, don't put too much elbow grease in it. It's not a polished stone, like a hearthstone, so it buffs out nicely.+

Backwoods Savage said:

Check that steel wool. I believe Woodstock recommends 0000 steel wool rather than the 00.

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Did you see something different than this somewhere?
http://www.woodstove.com/images/editorial_support/KP-PDF-Instructions/k-p maintenance kit.pdf

Yes Woody, I did see something different and it is in the manual for the Fireview. I will be asking Woodstock about this as I don't understand why it would be different for the Fireview vs. the Keystone. Or maybe they are recommending the 0000 for the discoloring due to any spills while cooking? Perhaps I'm reading this wrong but I'll be asking Woodstock about it. Thanks for pointing that out.

Looks like you are both right. This is from the Fireview online manual.

"Scratches can be removed by sanding lightly with .00 steel wool or 120 grit sandpaper.
The surface can then be smoothed with 400 grit sandpaper or .0000 steel wool. "

I knew that I had read about 0000 somewhere.

Backwoods Savage said:

Yes Woody, I did see something different and it is in the manual for the Fireview. I will be asking Woodstock about this as I don't understand why it would be different for the Fireview vs. the Keystone. Or maybe they are recommending the 0000 for the discoloring due to any spills while cooking? Perhaps I'm reading this wrong but I'll be asking Woodstock about it. Thanks for pointing that out.

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You know, I thought I may have seen something in the literature that came with the stove that mentioned that scratches may have resulted from the assembly of the stove, and how to remove them. It's probably in the pile of papers on my desk. I didn't see anything it the manual proper. I'll look for it. This is the kind of minutia that I get bogged down in all the time. That's probably why I only have 20% of my wood for next season split and stacked. :lol:
At any rate, I don't think it's going to make much difference weather Keith uses #00 or #0000; They are both pretty fine grades.

Flatbedford said:

Looks like you are both right. This is from the Fireview online manual.

"Scratches can be removed by sanding lightly with .00 steel wool or 120 grit sandpaper.
The surface can then be smoothed with 400 grit sandpaper or .0000 steel wool. "

I knew that I had read about 0000 somewhere.

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No, we're both wrong. Online Keystone manual sez "Scratches may be easily removed by sanding lightly with medium steel wool or 120 grit sandpaper. The surface may then be buffed with 400 grit sandpaper or fine steel wool."
Medium steel wool is #1 and fine is #0. :lol:
I've noticed other contradictions and imprecise info in the Woostock stuff but in the end it's not rocket science, so it's all good.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some wood to split. :lol:

kayakkeith said:

My info was just sent to me from Woodstock when I sent them a email

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The word has come down.
How deep are these scratches? Those stones can be scratched with your fingernails, so it's not very hard material at all...

Keith-
What did Curtis Chimney end up doing for you? Did they discount their price because of the scratches?

Keith, I'm glad they made it right.

I'm sure they ended up treating you right and took care of you. That's why I recommended them to you. I'll check it out next time I'm in the hood--which will be next week sometime. We're in SC right now at the beach (75 and sunny). How's the rain/snow showers and 40 degree weather treating you? Hahaha

A couple of decades ago I sculpted a lot of native soapstone... steatite. It polishes very nicely with some 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper and a dab of water. Also very useful to know: You can glue the stuff together very easily. A little white glue will mend a crack and make it stronger than before. (No, not recommended on a woodstove.)

On the scratches, here is the first word I received from Woodstock: "Usually 00 will work just fine. Thants what they use in the shop. If it's a deep stain or scratch, use sandpaper first and then finish it with the 00."

So, then I asked the question concerning the stains and am waiting for that reply.

Woodstock says, "0000 is only good if it is a very light scratch or stain."

That clears up things. So in the manual they are speaking about stains from cooking. So we start this week with leaning something new. This will be a good week!

I think that is also what I'd do Keith. I'll be interested in seeing how you come out with this.