Restoring my BBQ pit

[Texas Horn]

So when my dad passed away, he left me his big, badass bbq pit. It is a custom made smoker with an indirect heat box, all welded steel (no nut and bolts in this thing). It really is a beautiful bbq pit. The past few years, however, its care was neglected. There's a little rust, nothing terrible. No holes in the body of the pit or anything. The grate on the bottom of the heat box has rusted thru so I need to replace that. Few questions if anyone can help:

-What's the best way to "sand" it down, get rid of the rust so I can put a good coat of high heat RustOleum on it and get it back in shape?

-If I do run into some small holes caused by rust at the seems, can I weld it myself or do I need to call someone who knows what they're doing (I'm rather handy, but not a hardass or anything).

-Any other tips?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Roger]

we sent ours into to be powdercoated about 2 years ago and they were able to do some of our small fixes, however we didn't have any actual holes.

 

[Woland]

There is a kit you can buy at Home Depot. Its sitting in my garage waiting to be used.

 

[horn4life]

One of the hand grinders is what you need, and a brass NOT steel brush. Get some good goggles, and a good filter mask and go to town.

BRASS is because you don't want to erode the metal, just take off the rust. Then use about three coast of the rustolem high heat.

p.S. how's it hanging Horn?

 

[politically correct horn]

Being in the shipping business and fighting rust all the time, let me give you a little different perspective. The best way to remove rust and old paint is with a mildly acidic solution. Over time the acid will eat away the rust, eat away thd paint and take it down to clean metal. You can then prime and paint it with a high tempature paints. You can order replacement grates on the net in different gauges and even stainless steel.

If you want a mild acid, you can buy some at a swimming supply store or achimical supply store.

If it is something that is important to you, I reccomend doing it this way.

 

[Texas Horn]

when you say "over time", how much time?

Any ideas where to get replacement grates? Was thinking of making my own.

 

[Luke Duke]

You can get expanded metal anyplace that sells steel.

 

[Baboso]

As the son of a certified welder and having grown up as a certified welder's "helper" (Goddamit, hold it steady there, I don't care if it is shocking you), I'm going to have to go with H4L on this one. Go to Lowe's or HD and buy one of the small power grinders and the wire brush attachment. Buy some good goggles, as the hand grinder will spit out small wires from that attachment that will ruin you whole day if one happens to poke you in the eyeball. Buff it down to bare metal, clean it up good, and repaint.

 

[Texas Horn]

Mmmmm....power tools.....

I'm all over that.

Thanks for the tips guys.

H4L, doing great. What's new with you? Shoot me an email
[email protected]

 

[MilkmanDan]

And if you get stainless steel expanded metal, you'll never have to replace your grills again. That's what my dad uses in all his pits, and he recently made a new one for mine.

It's pricey up front, but worth it to not have to fight rust.

 

[Texas Horn]

where did your dad get his? Make them?

 

[MilkmanDan]

Yeah, he just bought a 4' x 8' sheet and cut everything to fit. You might be able to ask the dealer if they have some scraps since buying a whole sheet is probably overkill for your needs.

 

[PecosBill]

Check the yellow pages for sandblasting, address on Webberville road.

This guy will have you shiny steel in an hour.

 

[hullabelew]

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