Removing High Temp Caulk Residue

[Jaya’s on Fire]

I bought a Hearthstone Lincoln about a month ago in great condition, except the previous owner applied (what appeared to be) high-temp red RTV silicone around the caste iron flue collar.

I’ve removed nearly all visible RTV, but some residue/discoloration remains in the cast iron. When the stove gets hot, I can still smell the RTV, so it’s clearly continuing to off-gas.

I have high chemical sensitivity, so prolonged off-gassing is a problem. I am willing to tolerate short-term, controlled exposure (including targeted burn-off) if it actually resolves the issue.

I’m trying to avoid solutions that:
• introduce new chemicals requiring long burn-off
• trade one odor problem for another
• require grinding to bare metal and repainting

I’ve read that repeated firings can take months to fully eliminate RTV odor when residue is embedded in cast iron. Has anyone found a method that actually finishes the breakdown or removal of remaining RTV?

Thanks in advance.

 

[begreen]

That can be a challenge, especially when it's baked in. Cast iron has a grainy surface. Maybe wirebrush it with a wire wheel? That may require painting afterward.

 

[Jaya’s on Fire]

That can be a challenge, especially when it's baked in. Cast iron has a grainy surface. Maybe wirebrush it with a wire wheel? That may require painting afterward.

We were considering doing the wire brushing, but definitely don’t want to have to repaint it. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[begreen]

We were considering doing the wire brushing, but definitely don’t want to have to repaint it. Thanks for your thoughts!

Just that area would need repainting. Mask off the rest.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

The only way I can think to be sure you’ve got all the rtv out without chemicals is to grind it out. A wire wheel probably won’t get into the pores. But it’s possible that the pores were filled with paint and the rtv isn’t in the pores. Taking off the paint will leave you open to some rust issues in the future.

 

[Jaya’s on Fire]

The only way I can think to be sure you’ve got all the rtv out without chemicals is to grind it out. A wire wheel probably won’t get into the pores. But it’s possible that the pores were filled with paint and the rtv isn’t in the pores. Taking off the paint will leave you open to some rust issues in the future.

If you had a chemical recommendation what would it be?

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I’d probably try a flap disk on an angle grinder. It should leave you with a more regular surface than a grinding wheel.

 

[begreen]

If you had a chemical recommendation what would it be?

There is this product, but it may take the paint off too. And for someone sensitive to chemicals, this may not be a good solution.

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcraft-Zc30a-Remover-Silicone/dp/B00TO1QK7I/ref=sr_1_6

 

[EatenByLimestone]

There are a number of things that would work if it was a smooth painted surface like a car. A stove isn’t a smooth surface. I think you’d just smear it around. I’d recommend the flap disk.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

There is this product, but it may take the paint off too. And for someone sensitive to chemicals, this may not be a good solution.

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcraft-Zc30a-Remover-Silicone/dp/B00TO1QK7I/ref=sr_1_6

There’s a lot of wipes that work on cars too.

 

[Jaya’s on Fire]

I’d probably try a flap disk on an angle grinder. It should leave you with a more regular surface than

The only way I can think to be sure you’ve got all the rtv out without chemicals is to grind it out. A wire wheel probably won’t get into the pores. But it’s possible that the pores were filled with paint and the rtv isn’t in the pores. Taking off the paint will leave you open to some rust issues in the future.

Yeah, I really don’t want that!