We recently got a question from a DoItYourselfRV reader who asked if there are any special tips for fixing a chip in her RV cooktop.
In many cases, the grates and surface of an RV cooktop is covered with a porcelain coating.
Porcelain is a ceramic glaze designed to withstand high temperatures and still look good.
It’s sometimes called “stove enamel.”
With use, this porcelain coating can start to show chips and dings.
Depending on the severity of the damage, you can do one of two things:
- re-porcelain the entire cooktop or burner grates
- use a high-temperature porcelain filler to fill-in and hide small nicks and chips
What to Do If Your Cooktop Is In Bad Shape
You can have individual parts re-porcelained for a modest fee, and this might be the way to go if the grate on your cooktop is in terrible shape.
Here’s a couple of companies that will re-porcelain parts for you:
Kelle at Little Vintage Trailer re-porcelained the stove top and door in her vintage Shasta Compact, and she was happy with the results.
Costs range from $25 to $50 for a stove grate, and run up to a couple of hundred dollars for a large cooktop surface.
In order to re-porcelain a piece of metal, all the old porcelain must first be removed down to the bare metal.
This process requires special primers and coatings, and a high temperature oven that goes up to 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Re-porcelaining is best left to speciality shops.
Please note: If you’ve got a vintage trailer, make sure to consider how you’ll use the oven or cooktop in the future. Simply powder coating or painting the surface won’t work if you intend to use the burners. Only porcelain can withstand the high heat. Normal paint will off-gas and release dangerous fumes.
How to Repair Small Chips and Dings In Your RV Cooktop
For small chips and dings, you might just want to repair the surface in place.
If you have a relatively new stove, contact the manufacturer to see if the company can provide you with a repair enamel.
See also: 3 Space-Saving Collapsible Kitchen Products Ideal For RV Living.
If you can’t get repair glaze from the manufacturer, get a universal product that can withstand temperatures up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
It usually comes in a black, white, almond, or stainless steel color.
Porc-a-fix is a popular choice.
To use the product, first make sure the area is clean and dry.
Shake the bottle for thirty seconds, and apply the porcelain filler in thin layers, waiting at least 3 hours in between coats.
Once finished, sand with 600 grit sandpaper, and buff off the dust with a soft cloth.
You may want to use even finer grit sandpaper for a smoother finish.
Allow 24 hours for the porcelain filler to cure before using your cooktop.
Conclusion
It’s possible to have individual porcelain-coated pieces of your RV cooktop refinished.
Only a few small shops around the country offer this service, and you might have to wait a few weeks to get your parts recoated.
For a quick fix, purchase a porcelain repair kit and do the repair yourself.
You won’t have to send in any parts, you’ll save money, and your stove will look like new again in no time!
