minor rust treatment

[jbruce]

I've got some minor rust on the top of my firebox. Everybody does right! Anyway, I want to nip it in the bud. Here's my plan:

1. phosphoric acid to convert rust
2. blast off with pressure washer
3. immediately dry with a weed burner
4. thin coat of peanut oil
5. weed burner to polymerize (faster, more effective than building a hot fire)

Let me know if you've done the same, or if you don't think this will work, why.

 

[chp]

Sounds like a good plan to me. I’m guessing you chose peanut oil for the high smoke point? I have gone a different direction for my projects. I use flax oil for the low smoke point. I know I am able to convert it all to a good coat. If you have challenges with the peanut oil, this may be another option. Good luck.

 

[02ebz06]

I've always just taken some fine sandpaper to it and then hit it with some high-temp paint to protect it.

 

[jbruce]

It took about a pint of phosphoric acid (85%) diluted 50/50 with water to get rid of all my rust. It's a slow process and it took me multiple coats and a little elbow grease. The surface goes from rust to black to shiny silver before it's ready. Anything black is either paint or rust.

After the surface was rust free, I rinsed with water, and hit it quickly with a weed burner. This works fine, but you gotta move fast.

Next is a thin coat of peanut oil and blast it with the weed burner until it goes from slick and wet to smokey to grey and dry. Let it cool.

Apply a final thin coat of oil.

This whole process took me about 4 hours for my smoker which is pretty big. You need to be delicate with the weed burner and cooking grates. I have diamond grates and they warp under high heat.