So I mentioned that it rained yesterday and is forecast to rain off and on today. Knew that.
So I wrapped the woodstove in a tarp and strapped the tarp down to protect the stove from blown water. I’ve had it for eight and a half years and it’s in perfect condition; no point inviting rust at this late date. Right?
Uh huh. I was putting my boots on for morning chicken chores when it suddenly dawned on me that the stove was only mostly covered. There were other bits, removed for weight reduction and then forgotten out in the open in front of God and everybody!
Okay. I always wanted to check this anyway. Starting with something important is kinda dumb, but here we are…
The “WD” in WD40 is supposed to stand for water displacement, right? I use it routinely as a lubricant, but it’s really supposed to be a rust inhibiter.
Sigh – we’re seriously putting that to the test this week, brethren and sistren.
Oops. Join the club, brother.
And, yes, WD-40 makes lousy long-term lube. I look forward to a report on its displacement function.
My prediction is that your stove bits will survive the dousing.
I’d say just heat the thing up in a fire to cook off the moisture and call it good.
That actually might have been a better choice.
Now that you’ve sprayed it down with solvent/oil , I might suggest assemble it while outdoors . Then build a nice hot fire in it to get rid of all that residue. Otherwise your cabin might a bit stinky upon firing it up the first time. Think of it as seasoning , just like a cast iron pan.
People who take good care of their cast iron cookware won’t know this, but I’ve found that using heat to dry a wet piece of non-seasoned iron causes rust specks. Your course of action was the correct one.