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-----Removal of rust ring on cast iron woodburning stove
Q. I have a small Osburn cast iron wood burning stove. Someone put a wet coffee cup on top of stove and now I have a rust ring in middle of stove that looks bad. How do I remove rust ring without making it look even worse.
Doug DiMeglio- Canton, Michigan
2004
A. muriatic acid ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] would work, but it would probably rust again soon after. If you can get some phosphoric acid it should do the trick.
Ronald ZeemanCoil Coating - Brampton, ON, Canada
A 'rust converter ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] ' would likely contain the phosphoric acid that Ronald speaks of. However, such stoves are usually painted, and it will be necessary to repaint yours eventually [stove paint ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] ]. If the ring is still apparent after you've done the conversion treatment, it may be a good time to do the repainting as well.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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Q. We just bought a cast iron woodburner. Is there anything we should do to preserve the cast iron from wear or rust?
Paula Lundberg- Valparaiso, Indiana
2007
Q. I am wondering about the use of naval jelly ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] for rust removal on old wood burning stoves. I have never used it and don't know anything about its nature. Does it work and is it safe for old stoves?
Rita Attkissonhobbyist - Delia, Kansas
October 8, 2009
Hi, Rita. Naval jelly and rust converter
⇦ on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil link]
are essentially the same thing, a phosphoric acid solution that converts red rust to the more stable black rust. I don't see why it wouldn't be safe to use on a stove, but I think you'll need to paint that stove to deter future rusting.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
A. Thank you for all of the helpful information on your site.
I am temporarily living off of the digital grid and have hopefully not ruined the old wood cookstove.
I used C-L-R and the stench was unbearable. I then rinsed with boiling water and soap. Then I tried Barkeepers Friend
⇦ on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil link] which resembles baking soda but is not the same...
I used non soap brillo pads
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link] and a wire brush from the discount store. This was effective but it seemed like I was spreading the rust around...
The rust at worst made the backing under the warming oven thin and at best was superficial and came right off. I wanted to do this for Father's day... Three days later I was still removing the drips from the brick hearth underneath... If only I was online before I started. A tarp underneath had crossed my mind but I was lazy and also wanted to use the detergents on the brick...
The Rutland stove polish
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link]
was the final step and really was what made the sore elbows and fingers proud.
I believe it was pretty old too. But I stepped on it to get the last of it out of the tube.
I will post a picture when I complete the top and front as I lost polish spreading it in the nooks and crannies atop.
- Boscawen New Hampshire
June 18, 2011
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