Summary for rust ring on cast iron stove Discussion
rust ring on cast iron woodburning stove is discussed as a surface-rust problem that can be removed, but the finish may need touch-up afterward. Doug DiMeglio asked how to remove a coffee-cup rust ring from the top of a small Osburn cast iron stove without making it look worse. Ronald Zeeman said muriatic acid would work but would likely cause the area to rust again soon, and suggested phosphoric acid instead. Ted Mooney added that a rust converter likely contains phosphoric acid and noted that these stoves are usually painted, so repainting with stove paint may eventually be necessary; if the ring remains after conversion, repainting may be the best next step. A later commenter, Rebecca Holske, described using CLR, Bar Keepers Friend, non-soap Brillo pads, a wire brush, and finally Rutland stove polish, saying the polish made the result look much better, though cleanup was messy and the rust may have been superficial.
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 Zeeman
Coil 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
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
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 Attkisson
hobbyist – 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
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.
Rebecca Holske
– Boscawen New Hampshire
June 18, 2011