has to be replaced anyway, and he will put in a new one with slightly larger overhang to help reduce the washing down onto the stucco. But I would like some advice about the soot and trying to prevent it or clean it up in the first place.

Contactor offered to paint the vertical pipe, that would give us a fresh start there, but should I ask for a specific kind of paint? If it is painted I need to be able to clean it off anyway?

I could ask the contractor to also replace the top cap, but I don't know how much this will help the soot / creosote problem. Cap is otherwise solid not rusted out and seems to keep the rain out.

Lastly we will repaint the stucco. But I need advice because I can see that the soot will just keep on washing down, eventually darkening the new coat of paint on the stucco. So I hope you can advise me on ways to clean this properly, or perhaps prevent soot from washing down from now on.

thanks

SW