paint

[harlanr3]

just needing some info on paint for my kettle.so I found a stray kettle pretty nice unit but it has a few chips in it dont really want to repaint the whole thing but would like to do something about these chips any suggestions.

Thanks Russ

[landgraftj]

Post some pics and let us see what we're working with Russ. I'm sure some of the guys that have touched up kettles will chime in then.

[harlanr3]

here is a pic of the chips I would like to fix

[landgraftj]

Honestly Russ if you're going to cook on it I wouldn't bother painting it. Just get some 0000 steel wool and scrub the crap out of it. It will take the rust right off, but the chips will remain. I have a few like that and think it gives them character!

[1buckie]

Little, but deep chips like that are a tough call.....
You need to get the rust either off or completely stopped with a rust arresting product or any paint you try to add will fail.....

Folks have put up links & pics of some newer spray products that will do that, I'll see if I can locate those threads....

Then a fine sanding to smooth the general area, perhaps a hi-heat gray primer, then a high heat paint, heat set in between fairly lite coats, then extra lite sanding, then a couple coats of carefully fogged hi-heat clear.....

At least three, maybe four products, a lot of watching paint dry & it still will not really match up to the original baked porcelain enamel.....

Most folks call them 'battle scars' & just go with it......

[G$]

Take the time, money, and energy that you would have put in to painting, and cook instead! 

[harlanr3]

man you guys are the best!! the group talked me out of buying a few kettles and now talking me out of work!! I'm going to fit in just fine(if i can stay off craigs list) lol
Thanks guys

[kaz]

Ospho (phosphoric acid) will kill the rust and turn it black then just rub oil on it or dab on flat black BBQ paint.

At a minimum just spray some Pam or Pam grilling spray on it every other month or so. Works better if it's hot and dry.

[G$]

man you guys are the best!! the group talked me out of buying a few kettles and now talking me out of work!! I'm going to fit in just fine(if i can stay off craigs list) lol
Thanks guys

We are not going to talk you out of buying kettles, we are going to talk you in to buying the right ones.  Webers last a life time ... No rush unless you are in some weird kettle buying competition...