Treating Aluminum Oxide

[Richard in NS]

Since the the white aluminum oxide that forms on the fireboxes and end caps is essentially the same as rust on steel, is there a treatment for it like rust encapsulator to seal it in and keep it from coming back? Or is it not an issue of it coming back once you have painted over it? Thanks.
Richard.

 

[Bruce]

I repainted my cookbox and in three plus years have not had a problem with it. I would suggest you do a bit more than a light scrubbing on it however. Hit it with an angle grinder and wire wheel to completely remove it before painting.

But, with all the heat involved, it is bound to come back at some point.