How to Choose The Best Stove Paint
If your stove is looking a little worse for wear, a lick of paint could breathe some life back into it. Stove paint can be used to either cover up marks and damages, or give your stove an entirely new look.
Generally speaking, these paints are suitable not only for stoves, but BBQs, fire pits, grates, exhausts and chimeneas.
There are a few different types of paint available, so the following information has been put together to help you know what to look for:
Spray vs Brush Paint
Stove paint comes either in the form of spray paint or brush paint.
Spray Paint
Most people agree that the easiest type of paint to apply is spray paint, although you do need to work a little harder to keep the surrounding area clean.Â
That’s because spray paint comes in an aerosol can, which means that the particles of paint are quite fine. As a result, they can catch in the breeze and get on surrounding furniture, plants or tiles.
In terms of application, spraying paint on is easy because no other tools are required, but it’s not necessarily a quick job. Several coats of paint will be required in order to achieve even coverage. There’s no chance of patchy brushstrokes though, which is a big plus.
Finally, there are some environmental concerns with using aerosols which it’s worth bearing in mind. Aerosols contain compressed gasses, as well as VOCs (volatile organic compounds), that contribute to air pollution and the growth of ground-level ozone. Only water-based paint contains low-level/zero VOCs.
Brush Paint
When it comes to brush paint, there are some instances when it’s easier to apply than others. Viscosity can play a big part in how easily paint goes on – paint with a thin viscosity may be prone to running whilst paint with a thicker viscosity might leave visible brushstrokes.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know how easy (or not) paint will be to apply until you’ve opened the tin – but luckily nowadays it’s possible to get a bit more of an idea. Reading customer reviews online can give a helpful extra insight into how easy certain paints are to work with. This can be invaluable when it comes to not wasting money.
Brush paint will generally require one or two coats, and tends to give good coverage. It can also be useful for painting small areas where more precise painting is needed.Â
Paint Properties
For paint to be suitable for use on a stove it needs to have a number of properties. To start with, it must be able to withstand exceptionally high temperatures, far higher than radiator paint is designed to endure. For this reason it’s essential that you purchase specially designed stove paint. Most stove paints can withstand up to 600°C.
It’s also a good idea to check that the paint offers protection against rust. Using such paints can help protect your investment for years to come. We’ve all seen old BBQs and chimeneas that have started to rust, and for the most part we might have presumed there was no way to save them. As long as the rust hasn’t damaged the structural integrity of the item, stove paint can help extend the life of these objects.
Preparation for Painting
There are a few steps to take before applying stove paint that will help with the process.
- First, sand down any uneven or rusty patches. Then, go over the whole stove/chimenea/BBQ with either sandpaper or a hard wire brush. This will create a rough surface that will help the paint to adhere.
- Use a damp cloth to thoroughly wipe the surface of the stove – this is to remove all dust particles after sanding it down. This may take some time and several cloths. The cloths need to come up clean with no dirt showing before you can move on to painting.
- If applying spray paint, make sure that any surrounding walls/furniture/plants etc. are protected from any overspray.
- Do the painting outside if possible, but if this can’t be done then open as many windows and doors as possible to encourage ventilation.
- Apply paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions – be sure to leave enough time before applying each layer.
Tip:Â After all of the coats have been applied, and the paint it completely dry, you should cure the paint. This involves a process of lighting small fires, gradually increasing in size, over a number of days. You should allow the stove to cool completely before building the next fire. This will help harden the paint.
Stove Paint FAQs
Do you need to cure high heat paint?Â
To maintain its temperature resistance, stove paint does need to be cured. Curing it will create a tough and durable shell and usually involves having to heat the stove to a very high temperature a few times a row.
This is because stove paint usually contains a resin that dries at room temperature, and another that dries at high heat. Curing it allows the high heat resin to dry and harden, forming a seal with the stove underneath.
How long does stove paint take to cure?
The curing process can take a long time. You’ll need to create increasingly large fires in the stove over a period of days. The first fire should be very small, and it should be allowed to burn out by itself. Once the stove has completely cooled, a slightly larger fire can be built, and the previous process should be repeated. The fire needs to heat gradually, as if it heats too quickly the paint will pull away from the surface.Â
The exact method of curing your stove paint will depend on the paint you’ve selected.
How can I prepare the stove for painting?
To make sure that the paint adheres correctly, the stove surface needs to be clean, dry and primed. First, you must make sure to remove any grease patches. If there is grease, the paint won’t stick in those areas. You can use a solution of washing up liquid to remove grease. Once dry, sand down any uneven or rusty patches. Then, go over the whole stove with sandpaper or a stiff wire brush. The surface needs to be rough to encourage the paint to adhere. Finally, remove all of the sanded dust and dirt using a damp cloth. This may take a while – there needs to be no dirt left on the cloth. Once the stove is completely free of dust particles, and the surface is dry, you can apply paint the paint.
