Monday, February 9, 2009

Remove Rust From Old Cast Iron Stove

Cast iron stoves have been around for a long time. These heavy and sometimes ornate stoves add a rustic charm to the kitchen. But keeping the cast iron stove rust-free is an ongoing household chore. Iron is very prone to rusting when it comes into contact with moisture or water. An old cast iron stove may have decades of rust on it if it was not maintained properly. Removing rust from an old cast iron stove is possible, but it does take time and lot of elbow grease. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions


1. Scrub off the rust with a wire brush or steel wool pad. Use a lot of force to get rid of stubborn rust both inside and outside the stove.


2. Open a window for ventilation. Put on rubber gloves and a white face mask. Apply rust remover to the rust stains on the stove. Leave on as directed by the label, usually 10 to 20 minutes.


3. Scrub at the rust with a steel wool pad. Wipe clean with damp paper towels. Rust remover contains strong acids, like hydrochloric acid, that break down the rust. These acids are toxic so use with caution.


4. Sandblast the cast iron stove. Rent a sandblasting machine from a home improvement center if you have experience sandblasting or hire a professional sandblaster. Sandblasting is the most effective way to remove extensive rust on a stove.

Tags: iron stove, cast iron stove, cast iron, rust with, Scrub rust, Scrub rust with