Wood Heater Paint
by John
Some readers opine that I should paint my workshop wood heater.
Well, I will probably not do that. Reasons~
1. I quite like that rusty brown look
2. I have a lazy streak
3. I dont have the stove paint, although a friend has offered some free.
4. With use it is changing colour to a darker brown. Interesting. Is it a chemical reaction of the rust to heat?
5. Would paint stand up to these temperatures?
johnsmachines 
It is a chemical reaction, but only accelerated because of the heat. It is just quickly moving to the fully oxidised state (a rich rust patina), rather than progressing to it through the stage where the rust is on the surface, instead of being the surface. When it is on the surface it rubs/washes off easily (at least to the extent where it will leave rust stains on hands, clothing, the ground etc.
Once in the fully rusted condition, it is a natural protective barrier for the steel. No where near as protective as the oxide layer on aluminium, or the chrome oxide layer on stainless steel, but still pretty good when humidity isn’t too high.
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I have an “esse” stove with a cast cooking surface. It goes rusty, then black. will scrub up to bare metal with a scourer. The fine milling marks from the flycutter are disappearing, so presumably the surface is microscopically eroding. I wouldnt paint your heater
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I will keep your info in mind Russ. Thanks.
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