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.

[L1OFF]

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

[anonymous-user]

Is your Chiminea a 400, a 450 or a 500?

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

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

[eldar]

Decent quality exhaust paint.

[FlipFlopGriff]

You could try POR15 high temp paint. I haven't painted mine and its OK but its stored under a car port and I take the cooking griddle bit out after use.
Will probably start using it again soon as had a BBQ yesterday but after 7pm the temp drops like a stone.
FFG

[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?

[L1OFF]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

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

yep seems fine.

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

I used Hammerite on mine as well.
It smelt horrible the first time we lit it, but the smell went away after a while. The paint seems to tolerate the heat fine.
Internet experts seem to slate Hammerite, but it's surprisingly versatile and does the job IMO.

[markoc]

Rubbed mine down with wire wool then used hammerite. Worked perfectly - though it is an annual task now

[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...

[Hoover.]

My cast iron BBQ sits outside all year round...... 5 years old now. I has some rust patina on it, BUT that gives it character,,,, I wouldn't bother, but then again I'm like that with most things

[Simpo Two]

Reminds me of:

Farmer Giles: 'My horse has a cold'
Farmer Smith: 'Aye, my horse had a cold too'
Farmer Giles: What did you give him?'
Farmer Smith: 'Paraffin'

(a week later)

Farmer Giles: 'You know you said you gave your horse paraffin?'
Farmer Smith: 'Aye'
Farmer Giles: 'Well my horse died'
Farmer Smith: 'Aye, so did mine'

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]