Check out the rust...

[NHcpa]

Excuse the mess, I was waiting to clean this Fall, but just now noticed the rust deposits. I have read posts where people use damp rid, etc... now I know what your talking about! This does not happen with my Jotul.

 

[mepellet]

Doesn't look too bad. Probably just surface rust anyway and it will disappear after a few hours of burning.

 

[NHcpa]

My game plan is to fire it up to dry it out and wire brush. I was somewhat surprised to see any rust. I will definitely prep the stove for next summer.

 

[mepellet]

Some damp rid and plugging the oak and exhaust goes a long way.

 

[Justin M]

In the spring do a full cleaning when you are done for the season and use damp rid. You can also block off the exhaust and OAK (if you have one) and spray the firebox lightly with cooking oil if you're really worried about it.

 

[john193]

Looks to be surface rust. Burn it hot initially. I plug my exhaust and intake ports. And after a full cleaning I will spray paint the removable baffle and spray Pam cooking oil all over the inside. Put the baffle back in and place a small bucket of damprid. I still get tiny specs of surface rust, but it cooks off with the first burn. No additional smoke from the oil either.

 

[NHcpa]

Thanks for the replies/advice. Just a bit surprised for such a new stove. I have burned 74.5 bags. And as I said, I never had this issue with the Jotul, I've read the posts on the subject/prep...now I really know!

 

[Irish916]

My father-in-law's Harman coal stove rusted too. It has everything to do with moisture coming back in through the direct vent. Some folks actually leave kitty litter in the ash pan to absorb moisture! Plugging up the OAK and exhaust are a MUST.

 

[mepellet]

Instead of kitty litter most people use damp rid. One in the ash pan and one in the hopper for me.

 

[Augmister]

It also doesn't hurt to wire brush and paint the box with high temp paint. Did that last year for the first time on a 9 year old Castille and it came out mahvelous.

 

[NHcpa]

I too wondered about painting the rear baffles and compass medalian with high temp paint. It didn't come that way so figured it would just burn off over time so why bother.

 

[Lake Girl]

If using high temp paint to paint in the firebox, Don advised to prep your surface (wire brush, sanding) and then wipe down with Acetone before painting. If parts are removeable, it helps to cure the paint in your oven. The recommendation on the can of VHT paint I bought recommends 250F for 30 minutes then cool for 30 minutes. Bake at 400F for 30 minutes then cool for 30 minutes. Bake at 600F for 30 minutes then cool for 30 minutes (not sure if my oven goes up to 600F though).

Of course, still didn't paint my parts and the stove is back in use. Guess I have to be happy we don't have snow like Calgary

 

[Papelletman]

If using high temp paint to in the firebox, Don advised to prep your surface (wire brush, sanding) and then wipe down with Acetone before painting. If parts are removeable, it helps to cure the paint in your oven. The recommendation on the can of VHT paint I bought recommends 250F for 30 minutes then cool for 30 minutes. Bake at 400F for 30 minutes then cool for 30 minutes. Bake at 600F for 30 minutes then cool for 30 minutes (not sure if my oven goes up to 600F though).

Of course, still didn't paint my parts and the stove is back in use. Guess I have to be happy we don't have snow like Calgary

If it is a self cleaning stove just use that feature for the last step, it gets plenty hot.

 

[NHcpa]

Attached is another before pic. Here's what I'm gong to do...
Get a fine wire brush wheel for my bench grinder and hit the medalian and 2 back plates. Of the outer pitted frame, sand with 400 or something to smooth out and etch. Then I can cover all with high temp spray paint. Question, is the dealer supplied touch up paint not sufficient for heat (most likely not). So I'm thinking header pipe spray from auto parts or some other suggested paint. Also too, should I use acetone after sanding the frame?
Thanks for replies...

 

[Lake Girl]

Search the name Don 2222. He has several posts on paints to use - acetone after you sand/wire brush. He refurbishes old stoves on a regular basis. He recommends the VHT head paint flat black. Directions on curing the paint are on the can and posted above.