I'm a little late with a reply but i just installed one of those lamp tubes (1/2" x 3/4") through my weber this weekend. Used blue masking tape and drill a pilot hole 1/8". Then finished it off to 1/2" with a uni-bit. Coating did not chip. I did however drill on the low speed. After, touch up with some ceramic manifold paint i picked up at the auto part store.