If you’ve just bought a new wood-burning stove, the last thing you want is for the paint to start coming off the stove body.
The good news is that, if this has happened to your woodburner, there is usually quite a simple explanation.
Why does the paint come off?
When you first use a wood-burning stove, the paint still has to cure. Curing is the process in which some of the liquids within the paint start to evaporate when the stove is first heated to the extreme temperatures required for a wood-burning stove. This causes the chemical structure of the paint to change, leaving just the desired finish on the stove.
During the curing process, which typically last for three or four days of regular use, you might also notice a paint smell coming from your appliance.
What has caused the paint to come off?
Usually, if the paint has come off a new wood-burning stove, it is because someone or something has inadvertently rubbed it off during the curing process. For instance, it is easy to rub some of the paint off when handling a woodburner with a stove glove before the paint has cured because it is very soft while curing.
What should I do?
If this has happened to your stove (and even if it hasn’t) is is good idea to have a can of stove paint that matches the finish of your woodburner in your house so that you can touch up the paintwork.
It is worth covering any bare metal with a fresh lick of paint as soon as possible to reduce the risk of moisture getting a hold and causing rust on your stove.
Having a can of stove paint to hand will also help you to keep the stove looking fresh over time.