Mama needs a facelift

[OldMountain]

11/23 I just picked up a left hinged Mama with square door for the cabin. Looks like previous owner(s) left the kettle boil over way too many times and the lower flat is pretty well pitted. Not enough to not use the stove but enough that it's very noticeable. I'd like to refinish/ restore the stove before installing it in the cabin. The question I have is how best to permanently repair the pitted surface? I thought about using a mig welder to run beads in that area and then grind/sand flat. Is there a better way? You guys are the experts, thanks for your time...

11/24 Thanks, I'd seen that mentioned in another post. I'll give that a try, unfortunately may have to wait a bit with the weather. A few pics to show it, just the lower is pitted. Probably not as bad as it looks, and it'll probably be covered by a something for hot water anyway.



The hing pins are polished and the draft caps are aluminum. Looks like 4296 welded on the bottom. No tags anywhere. Any ideas where/when made?

She decided to keep the feet for another stove . I have another set though from a GMa that I'll probably sell. The room this will heat is only 16x20, I figured the GMa would be overkill, just missed a Baby yesterday.

Thanks again for the help, will have some questions on the insert I picked up for the fireplace. Will do a little looking around first though.

 

[coaly]

You can get high temp paint in brushable form. Put some out on something to dry enough to become tacky and thick. Spread over the pitting to fill voids with body putty applicator or stiff cardboard. Lightly sand flat when dry before finish coat. Fire outdoors to cure. Best to not transport the stove before curing since paint is much softer and easy to damage before final cure.

Quite common on stoves that have been used for years to boil down maple syrup.
This one had round rings on upper and lower surface. I don't have close ups of the finished top. It was quick and came out OK.