Metalbestos Chimney Rusting?

Guys I hope you can help me with this. Below are some pics of my SS chimney. I can't believe all the rust that built up on it. The inside of the chimney is fine. The rust is only on the outside. I only burned 3,000 lbs of coal. This can't be normal. My chimney height is about 17 feet. What do you guys think? Let me know.

Wow Bob, its hard to believe thats SS on the outside. Thats really knarley. I can suggest to spray it down with a "Rust Converter" product, then a good coat of Stove Bright to save it.
I painted mine right after I installed it, and its in perfect shape.

I have burned coal for about 5 years in mine and it is not even slightly rusty. I think you have a defective piece. Selkirk makes several different kinds of SS chimney and not all them are rated for coal. Check to see what the rating is on the label. You may have to go back to the retailer to find info on the ratings.

Kevin

I began to notice the color change from the ground after 2 weeks of burning (mid Feb). I went up on the roof and noticed the outside of it was covered in some kind of oily residue. When I touched it and rubbed my finger and thumb together it felt oily, kind of like 3 in 1 oil.

I looked at the labels on it. It says for gas or oil fired heating appliances not to exceed 540* C.

I think it is supposed to say it is rated for wood/coal. Check the retailer to see if they sold you something inferior.

Kevin

Mine is Metalbesto's II from what I can remember. It is the only one I install for anyone because it is the only one stocked in this area.

Kevin

Are you sure it's not just red fly ash stained? The fly ash will stick to anything that gets wet.

Razzler wrote:Are you sure it's not just red fly ash stained?

Definately rust. Even smells like it.

Razzler wrote:Are you sure it's not just red fly ash stained? The fly ash will stick to anything that gets wet.

I was thinking the same thing -- it almost looks like a coating in the pics. You could try rubbing it down with steel wool just to be sure it really is rust -- the smell could be from inside the chimney.

If that is rust, it's only surface rust -- it won't cause any structural issues unless it becomes perforated ..... like a mid-80's chrome bumper in northern New England. Looks minor ( as far a rusting goes ) from what I can see, but I can understand being pissed as far as appearance goes. But it doesn't make sense that a SS chimney would rust that fast -- that's why I think it might just be a heavy staining -- ???

sterling_40man wrote:I can't believe all the rust that built up on it

If you have the 430 grade it will rust.

Some stainless steel products are made from Grade 430, which is less expensive than Grade 304. Grade 430 will rust and is not nearly as durable as Grade 304. Manufacturers who use Grade 430 may not disclose it but it is easy to tell the difference. Grade 304 stainless steel in non-magnetic. If a magnet sticks to stainless steel - it will rust!
Note: There are a few places on the LX where a magnet will stick because of its galvanized steel inner structure.

http://www.hammerheadsteel.com/stainlesssteel.htm

My owners manual called for Type "L" pipe. According to the above chart, it has a GALVALUME STEEL outer skin. But it sure didn't rust like the above pics, maybe thats cause I painted it, and the cap I got is 316 SS.

your pics made me feel panicky, I am afraid of heights. Guess that's why I'm not a roofer.

Nice roof, BTW... Timberlines? 40 year Warrenty? Thats what I put on my house.

I'm thinking the chimney cap may be the culprit.?
Looks like it is rusting and running down the outside of the pipe from cap.

The inside of the chimney is fine

The rust wouldn't run down the inside of the chimney because of the cap curved shape. Look at the photo looking into the cap laying on the roof, looks rusted and the photo looking down at the roof jack/flashing and shingles, looks like rust has been dripping straight from the cap.

DVC500_at_last wrote:Nice roof, BTW... Timberlines? 40 year Warrenty? Thats what I put on my house.

Thanks Chris. It's IKO Cambridge, charcoal grey. 30 year. Same as the house. I built my garage in 2007. My house roof was done in 2000. When I built the garage I was afraid that there would be a color difference (fading of the house shingles). Not at all! Their is no difference. Even after seven years, it looks like they were roofed at the same time.

http://www.iko.com/products/residential ... ilsColours

rockwood wrote:I'm thinking the chimney cap may be the culprit.?

Could very well be.

Some stainless steel products are made from Grade 430, which is less expensive than Grade 304. Grade 430 will rust and is not nearly as durable as Grade 304. Manufacturers who use Grade 430 may not disclose it but it is easy to tell the difference. Grade 304 stainless steel in non-magnetic. If a magnet sticks to stainless steel - it will rust!
Note: There are a few places on the LX where a magnet will stick because of its galvanized steel inner structure.

Looks like I have some investigating to do.