Painting a rusty cast-iron chiminea

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Within a week or two of having my cast iron chiminea, it started rusting. When it got bad after a few months, I wire-brushed it down and sprayed it with an exhaust manifold paint from Halfrauds. I gave it several coats, and it looked lovely, for about two weeks. Then it started rusting through the paint again.

Now, after several more months, it looks really terrible.

So I'm wondering what to try next. Any suggestions?

I've heard of Rustoleum Stove & BBQ Paint - is that any good? Will it provide decent rust protection where the manifold paint failed dismally?

My chiminea does, I admit, live outdoors and remains uncovered. The problem with a cover is that you can't put it on immediately after you've finished using the chiminea because it's too hot.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Might try Hammerite. I think I prefer the idea of slapping on a nice thick coat with a brush.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

L1OFF said:

I've painted mine with Hammerite smooth, it's lasted over the winter without rusting.

Just out of interest, did the Hammerite Smooth tolerate the high temperature?

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Brilliant - Hammerite it is then!

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Well, I've just spent an afternoon wire-brushing the remaining Hammerite Smooth off my chiminea, and re spraying with the Rustoleum BBQ & Stove paint.

I had given it two coats of the Hammerite and let it set for 24 hours. It looked great, but after only a few minutes of exposure to the heat of a fire the paint started bubbling and lifting. After a couple of fires it was peeling badly and exposing the metal underneath, which started rusting.

So I have to report that in my experience Hammerite is not suitable for a chiminea.

Fingers crossed for the Rustoleum...

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]