Our Kozi woodstove is a vital part of our float cabin. It makes all season living up the lake possible. This time of year, we only need an early morning and night fire, but in the middle of winter, it will be running 24/7. It provides us with lots of heat, but it also provides a cooking surface for heating lots of water, and even an occasional meal.
All that work takes a toll on the stove's surface. The first step in refinishing the surface is to scour away the rust and grime with a stiff wire brush. Then smooth the surface with sand paper and clean it thoroughly so no dust or rust particles are present.
We chose Tremclad High Heat Enamel in a flat finish. This paint resists heat up to 650°C (1200°F), well within the range of the surface of a woodstove. It is thick and covers well. Brush strokes smooth out during the drying process for a smooth finish that isn't supposed to crack or peel. I'll keep you posted on that.
We let it dry for a week while we were away. Originally, we planned a second coat upon our return, but it looked fine with just one. We will save the remaining paint for a future coat, or maybe for the chimney pipe. Not only does our wood stove look a whole lot better, but it will protect the metal so it will last many years longer.For information about how to refinish your indoor chimney pipe click here. That makes the refinishing job complete and improves the appearance 100%. -- Margy
Excellent post, Margy. I am always interested in the care and feeding of wood stoves because much of my childhood and youth depended upon them.
ReplyDeleteI'm fascinated with the lifestyle you and Wayne have chosen up there at the lake, especially curious about how well your composting toilet functions (time will tell) etc. I'm sure we could talk for hours.
See you sometime, up or down the coast.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
I love how versatile your wood stove is - for heating and some cooking. I bet autumn is beautiful in your area!
ReplyDeleteI am going to get the sort of wood stove that you can also use for cooking on, as our wood stove will be in the wheelhouse. Save going below to put the kettle on!! I like that yours has a lot larger cooking surface than many I have seen xxx
ReplyDeleteKay - That must have been fun at that time of your life.
ReplyDeleteShelley - Yes, it is a great stove for lots of reasons. We've used it lots now since the refinishing and the paint doesn't show any problems from the high heat.
Fran - I looked up the stove model you mentioned on your blog. That really sounds like an interesting choice. I assume you are getting the one that cooks, heats, is a hot water heater, and heating system for your entire barge.
Margy