Weber Porcelain Repair

[DirectDrive]

I bought a used 18.5 WSM that had a bad chip in the lid.
Looked like a lawnmower threw a stone at it and made a direct hit, even tearing the cover fabric slightly.
I read everything that I could find on porcelain repair and nothing really sounded very promising.
Heat range was the deal-breaker.
I finally saw where one guy used High Heat JB Weld for a filler so I thought that I would give that a go.
It's supposed to be good for 500F and that's well above where I will operate the WSM.

The Damage (about a 2" in diameter)
Had to bang out the dent first....used a 16 oz hammer and piece of 1x (3/4" wood) and carefully worked it out.


The Kit


Wet Sand 220/320 (JB is hard...do not apply it heavily)
The blue tape helped to keep my sanding "inbounds"


Ready for Paint (used 4/0 steel wool to clean off JB at perimeter)


Paint Shield ....elevated about 1/2"-5/8" to control paint feather....this worked...better than spraying freehand and very likely enlarging the repair area.


The Result (Rustoleum Engine Enamel 500F High Gloss Black)


After 3 applications of JB and lots of sanding, it's much better than looking at that battle damage, not perfect but not bad.

Did some edge touch up while I was mobilized

[1buckie]

 Pretty slick fix..........that was almost a candidate for a second vent.................good job !!!!!

[DirectDrive]

 Pretty slick fix..........that was almost a candidate for a second vent.................good job !!!!!

Thanks.

It was in a weird spot.
Nothing bolted on (vent, therm) would have looked right.
I entertained the idea of making a curved fender washer (Belleville washer) out of aluminum but shaping it would have been a PITA and it would be a wart in itself.

[Duke]

Someone was angry! Nice work!

[1buckie]

 Yeah, that was in an odd spot, lower than the regular vent, etc...........

It should work fine up high on the machine like that......it's when the patches are near the charcoal burn area that the dissimilar metal / patch materials will separate.....

I've had my brother tell me time & again that when heating, the expansion rate of any fix will always be different than the original metal.........he works on high end hot rods & showcars & his head gets fat 'cause he knows stuff.....I think this will work just fine ......JB's the goods !!!!!!

[DirectDrive]

Someone was angry! Nice work!

Never thought of that....maybe an angry wife jealous of all the affection this WSM was receiving !
My wife is already annoyingly referring to it as "R2D2"....hope it's not a "Christine" thing.


 

[Heyjude]

Nice repair job on that WSM lid.. May have to try that on a kettle I have.
AJ 

[Winz]

Great fix - very professional looking repair.  With the lower cooking temps of the WSM, not likely that you are going to push the limits of temperature.  Hoping it will last for many good cooks to come!

Winz

[wyd]

Very nicely done repair.  Amazing what some of you guys have done on repairs and clean up.

[whatchusmokin]

Well done! That lid looks very nice!