Rusting is a form of corrosion. Basically you need to remove oxygen and moisture to cause the corrosion to arrest. If you "paint"
the cast iron with a sealant, you will most likely trap moisture within the existing corrosion and it will continue to corrode.

Also, corrosion can take place as a result of burning fuel in the stove: corrosive chemicals are released during the reduction and
chemicals inherent in the wood can affect the metal even if the wood is not being burned and is for display only.

So, is this a one of a kind stove?
Is this an historically significant stove?
 If so, remove the stove and place in a low humidity constant temperature environment and start a fund raiser for a conservator.

If it is not an important stove, then take it completely apart, sand down the rust spots,  apply a rust inhibitor, re-assemble, do
not  make any fires in the stove. Waxing the surface will not help: wax does not prevent infiltration of water vapor and  it can be
difficult to remove.

Next time I'm at Popham, I'll stop by............

Regards,

Jim Moss

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