Barrel finish? help with finding this

Hello all!

First off, I think I've seen this discussion somewhere, but I cannot seem to find it at all with the search function or looking through the forum either. Please humor me, as I did attempt to find it first!

I've got the ubiquitous 55 gallon barrel and I was going to get something to make the outside black. I went to the local hardware store and was henceforth confused. They had stove paint, stove polish, and stove wax. All made by the same company. All of them were black I was assured, and all would achieve the same result according to the man in the store.

Experiences? Preferences?

Thank you for your hopefully quick responses!

Hi Matt, here are a couple..

https://permies.com/t/12578/rocket-stoves/Oil-Drum-Living-Room-design

https://permies.com/t/40929/rocket-stoves/aesthetically-pleasing-heat-chamber

thanks. I dont know why I had trouble finding them.

Hi Matt; High heat automotive paint works very well. Readily available almost anyplace.

Be sure to read the label for the heat rating for whatever you decide to use.

I was recently in one of the box stores (either Lowe's or Home Depot) and read the labels of a given brand's High Heat and Extreme/Ultra High Heat (or words to that effect, implying that one was High heat and the other was for Extremely High heat). But when I read the label, *both* were rated for 1200 F. The flashy words on the front were just marketing - the Extremely High heat was twice as expensive. The only *real* difference was that the regular $3.50 spray can was flat black, and the $7 can was glossy.

EDIT: The name brand was Rust-o-leum (SP?). They advertise this as high heat spray paint for BBQ repair and touch-up. It appears to be working perfectly well so far, although I've only been burning for a month or so.