galvanized chase cover/cap

[cac4]

the "box-top" on my wood chimney-chase is what looks like galvanized steel, and its looking rusty. I plan on going up there (35') to paint trim boards sometime this fall...(rest of the house is vinyl sided). what can/should I do w/ this? is there something I can paint it with?
the house came with a heatilator fireplace...I'm told that the chimney is simply a "b-vent" pipe. I can just barely see it sticking out through the top of the chase, with its chimney cap. I'm not talking about that piece, but the sheet metal covering that goes over the top of the chase, into which the installers cut a round hole, through which the chimney pipe protrudes.... not sure of the proper name for this.

 

[thechimneysweep]

It's called a chase top, and you can paint it if you want.

 

[the_dude]

The galvanized will continue to rust and discolor. The chemicals in the smoke speed up the process. You certainly can paint it. You can also have a local shop fabricate a stainless steel one, which will last much longer than galvanized. I had mine replaced with a recent upgrade, and I think my shop only charged me $225 for a fabricated stainless chase top, which I didn't thing was too bad. My chase is about 2' x 8.5'.

 

[cac4]

no more smoke...cuz I don't use the fireplace. In fact, I might be removing it. (going w/ a pellet stove, but not an insert, and not in that chase. so its just sitting there, idle).

any sort of rust inhibitor that I should use? special type of paint for galvanized steel?

 

[thechimneysweep]

Wipe it down with acetone or denatured alcohol and paint it with latex.

 

[cac4]

Wipe it down with acetone or denatured alcohol and paint it with latex.

no wire-brush? no primer?

 

[thechimneysweep]

No primer needed. Wire brush as needed.