Pellet Fan

Pit Talk -- Comments and Questions Regarding These Pellet Pits => Traeger => Topic started by: smokymtnjonny on July 19, 2022, 10:47:15 AM

Title: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: smokymtnjonny on July 19, 2022, 10:47:15 AM
I’m thinking about sanding and painting that vintage Lil Tex I got on FB. It’s got a small amount of light surface rust in places, but the overall finish is dull and faded. I need suggestions on brands of paint that would be up to the task. Also, can you get a smooth finish with a brush, or is spray the way to go?
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: Bentley on July 19, 2022, 10:59:24 AM
I dont know any brands other then Krylon or Rust-o-lium, and they will work, but I think you are better using an engine block high heat paint.  Doubt you will be able to not leave brush strokes on metal with a brush, maybe one of those black sponge ones.  Guys with much more knowledge about it will be on to help in awhile!
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: okie smokie on July 19, 2022, 10:59:49 AM
Lowes or Home Depot has high temp paint for grills in spray cans.  Rustoleum and Krylon products both work. You might need to decide whether you like it "flat" or "satin" finished. Only way to go is to spray IMO. Just be careful not to overspray. Better to do a couple of light coats. After you sand all the rust and loose paint off and wipe it down, you are ready to sprits!  Be sure to pick the paint with the highest temp protection. I used the Rustoleum on my Blazn and Traeger grills with good results both inside and out.  I would let it dry for a couple of days before lighting up. I found that the heat protection of 1200 to 2000* is available, which is hotter than engine heat, so I would use the specific high heat stuff.
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: smokymtnjonny on July 19, 2022, 11:28:04 AM
Thanks for the advice! I want the finish to have somewhat of a shine, so that would be satin, right?
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: 02ebz06 on July 19, 2022, 11:43:22 AM
Lowes or Home Depot has high temp paint for grills in spray cans.  Rustoleum and Krylon products both work. You might need to decide whether you like it "flat" or "satin" finished. Only way to go is to spray IMO. Just be careful not to overspray. Better to do a couple of light coats. After you sand all the rust and loose paint off and wipe it down, you are ready to sprits!  Be sure to pick the paint with the highest temp protection. I used the Rustoleum on my Blazn and Traeger grills with good results both inside and out.  I would let it dry for a couple of days before lighting up. I found that the heat protection of 1200 to 2000* is available, which is hotter than engine heat, so I would use the specific high heat stuff.

When you mentioned "engine heat"  it reminded me that they (at least HD) have spray paint specifically labeled for engines to 2000 degrees.
I had used the Rustoleum one on my GridIron when I had it.
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: pmillen on July 19, 2022, 01:09:49 PM
A poster on another forum a couple of years ago concluded that automobile brake paint had the highest temperature rating.  I don't have grill painting experience.
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: focuspuller on July 19, 2022, 04:51:37 PM
I did my grill a few years back.

Took it apart and then had it sandblasted.

Used a metal paint prep to wash down all the surfaces.

Then used a high heat primer.  Let it dry for two days.  Then used High Heat satin black paint.  Several coats a day apart.

Set grill to 200 for an hour then up to 350 for another hour to set the primer and paint.

Not a sign of rust since.

Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: smokymtnjonny on July 19, 2022, 06:18:49 PM
Thanks for the reply, focus!
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: hughver on July 19, 2022, 06:36:24 PM
Thanks for the advice! I want the finish to have somewhat of a shine, so that would be satin, right?

If you want a shine use high gloss or semi-gloss.
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: smokymtnjonny on July 19, 2022, 08:57:44 PM
I do want more of a shine. Thanks, Hugh!
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: just4fn on July 19, 2022, 10:59:20 PM
You can buy factory paint from Traeger also. 
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: smokymtnjonny on July 20, 2022, 09:59:16 AM
I talked to customer service at Traeger and the rep said they wouldn’t sell me paint because of the fire hazard!

“Yes, the rust is something that will eventually appear with the usage of the grill keep in mind that most of the paint is flammable therefore that can cause a fire so we prefer to have rust on a grill than to have a fire that's why we don't recommend any touch up job to our customers for their safety”

 :D :D
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: 02ebz06 on July 20, 2022, 11:09:54 AM
I talked to customer service at Traeger and the rep said they wouldn’t sell me paint because of the fire hazard!

“Yes, the rust is something that will eventually appear with the usage of the grill keep in mind that most of the paint is flammable therefore that can cause a fire so we prefer to have rust on a grill than to have a fire that's why we don't recommend any touch up job to our customers for their safety”

 :D :D

I guess it's OK for them to paint the grill with paint that can burst into flames. Hahahahahahahaha
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: ylr on July 20, 2022, 11:19:06 AM
I talked to customer service at Traeger and the rep said they wouldn’t sell me paint because of the fire hazard!

“Yes, the rust is something that will eventually appear with the usage of the grill keep in mind that most of the paint is flammable therefore that can cause a fire so we prefer to have rust on a grill than to have a fire that's why we don't recommend any touch up job to our customers for their safety”

 :D :D

That right there is classic corporate thinking. Don't want to get sued! :pig:
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: okie smokie on July 20, 2022, 11:32:58 AM
Have painted the inside of both Traeger Lil Tex and Blaz'n. Never, ever, seen a fire from the paint applied. Of course I never started a fire until it was super dry. Corporate policy to avoid potential law suits??  Of course some of the pits are powder coated. Not sure about any fire potential there?
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: BigDave83 on July 20, 2022, 01:00:12 PM
I talked to customer service at Traeger and the rep said they wouldn’t sell me paint because of the fire hazard!

“Yes, the rust is something that will eventually appear with the usage of the grill keep in mind that most of the paint is flammable therefore that can cause a fire so we prefer to have rust on a grill than to have a fire that's why we don't recommend any touch up job to our customers for their safety”

 :D :D

Sadly this would not have been an issue 25 years ago. People were not as sue happy and, maybe had more sense than they do today.
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: okie smokie on July 20, 2022, 05:35:35 PM
Well dried high temp spray paint is not flammable. And tho it might be combustible, the temp rating of 2000* aint gonna happen in any grill that I know of. So I agree with Dave.
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: Kristin Meredith on July 20, 2022, 06:25:16 PM
I talked to customer service at Traeger and the rep said they wouldn’t sell me paint because of the fire hazard!

“Yes, the rust is something that will eventually appear with the usage of the grill keep in mind that most of the paint is flammable therefore that can cause a fire so we prefer to have rust on a grill than to have a fire that's why we don't recommend any touch up job to our customers for their safety”

 :D :D

Sadly this would not have been an issue 25 years ago. People were not as sue happy and, maybe had more sense than they do today.

I started practicing law over 35 years ago.  I was a defense attorney.  Believe me, people were just as sue happy then as they are now and I have the ridiculous case stories to prove it.
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: 02ebz06 on July 20, 2022, 07:00:16 PM
When I lived in Cincinnati, my neighbor, an attorney, told me that if you shovel snow off the sidewalk and someone slips and falls, they can sue because you didn't do it properly.
If you don't shovel it, and someone slips and falls, the snow is just a natural disaster and they can't sue you.
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: just4fn on July 20, 2022, 10:44:15 PM
I talked to customer service at Traeger and the rep said they wouldn’t sell me paint because of the fire hazard!

“Yes, the rust is something that will eventually appear with the usage of the grill keep in mind that most of the paint is flammable therefore that can cause a fire so we prefer to have rust on a grill than to have a fire that's why we don't recommend any touch up job to our customers for their safety”

 :D :D

Huh???  It's been a while but they used sell it on their website.  Looks like lawyers got involved again!! 
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: smokymtnjonny on July 21, 2022, 07:09:35 AM
You’re probably right. No one in their right mind would say rust in your cooker is a good thing.
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: okie smokie on July 22, 2022, 11:07:51 PM
You’re probably right. No one in their right mind would say rust in your cooker is a good thing.
Good source of iron!
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: Canadian John on July 23, 2022, 07:28:57 AM
 
 Perhaps I am missing something. Painting the inside and outside or only the outside ?
 
 For the inside I would scrape clean & oil such as canola,grapeseed etc. It will bake on & season the pit. Yes it will need some minor upkeep. It's safe & the least amount ok work.

 The outside is the challenge. Rust, any rust is virtually impossible to eradicate especially in corners 7 joints. There are chemical rust neutralizers that can help. The non powder coat finish available to us isn't
 
 very durable. It also is easily marked (a shiney ares) by brushing aganst it.

 There is an option. That is oil coating the outside as in seasoning cast iron.. Looks different & may not be appealing. See this:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFp9j28mxKc
 

 
Title: Re: Best Paint for Lil Tex
Post by: smokymtnjonny on July 23, 2022, 09:23:38 AM
I was talking about painting the outside.