Cookbox & End Cap Preference Poll

[Cody Bratton]

Curious to get a gauge on people’s preferences for cookbox and end cap finishes on rehabs, flippers, or personal preference. Whichever combo you like the most.
Feel free to explain what you like and why, or just pick an option. Cheers

 

[Jon Tofte]

I think it is true that the original Webers had a flat box and satin or semi-gloss end caps.

 

[MarkCuda]

Semi gloss on all 3 pieces.

 

[Jon Tofte]

Semi gloss on all 3 pieces.

That was my vote.

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

I suppose flat box and semi caps are my choice because I’m a traditionalist, in most cases I’ve found when someone has taken the time to design a product that is the best of its kind, they also chose the details carefully.

 

[Ed_T]

I prefer end caps and cookbox in satin, preferably rolled for texture.

 

[Jon Tofte]

Somewhere between satin and semi-gloss. In spite of the originality, I have just personally never preferred the flat paint on the firebox.

It is interesting that in the very first ads, you cannot tell any difference between the firebox and the endcaps:

 

[DanHoo]

I'm not a fan of flat black on grills. If there's any grease splatter or drips they tend to show more and are harder to clean.

Also the "feel" of flat for wiping it down is not as smooth vs the feel of satin or semigloss.

 

[Bruce]

I do notice that grill (First Genesis gas grill) has the burnt Orange colored lid.

That side burner is interesting too. I have not seen a Genesis with a black burner cover.

 

[Jon Tofte]

I do notice that grill (First Genesis gas grill) has the burnt Orange colored lid.

At the time the Genesis was released, brown and burnt orange were pretty popular colors. The only other options then were black and red.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

I prefer end caps and cookbox in satin, preferably rolled for texture.

I agree and I think that's very close to original factory finish.

 

[Cody Bratton]

I'm not a fan of flat black on grills. If there's any grease splatter or drips they tend to show more and are harder to clean.

Also the "feel" of flat for wiping it down is not as smooth vs the feel of satin or semigloss.

I agree, I have a frame I painted that is flat that I do not like the look of. And for some reason spraying the semi-gloss over the flat paint, it still turns flat. So unless I feel like blasting this frame, it will likely sit in pieces in a bin somewhere for quite a while.
Part of me has thought about restoring one, and keeping it in pieces in my basement for a decade to see if the time adds any significant value down the road. If not, I will have a nice grill not subjected to the elements

 

[Bruce]

That is interesting how the flat paint bleeds through the semi-gloss like that. I always thought the flat paint was kinda like a primer.

 

[Steve Hoch]

That is interesting how the flat paint bleeds through the semi-gloss like that. I always thought the flat paint was kinda like a primer.

Yes, me too. I've used this rust reformer paint on frames before and then coated with hi heat ultra to good results. It's definitely a flat finish.

 

[Bruce]

I use that rust reformer all the time on my frames. Any time I have to do any welding or rust removal. I hit those areas with the rust reformer before I top coat with the Semi-gloss high heat or the Semi gloss 2X paint and it never affects the top coat.

 

[Jon Tofte]

I do the same as you guys. I think Rust Reformer is a very helpful product, and I have never had trouble top-coating it.

 

[Cody Bratton]

That is interesting how the flat paint bleeds through the semi-gloss like that. I always thought the flat paint was kinda like a primer.

I’ll try and remember to dig out the earthquake caps and post pics. It was wild to me

 

[Cody Bratton]

Does anyone have good pics of the flat box w/ semi-gloss end caps?

 

[Jon Tofte]

Here is a Skyline that the late Rich Dahl did. I sure miss him...

You can't see the end caps real well in the picture, but the contrast of the flat firebox is very clear:



Here are few older style grills I have done in the last couple of years. All of mine have the same semi-gloss on the firebox as on the end caps (either Krylon Max or Rustoleum Extreme). I just personally like it better and wouldn't change any of them, even though I do think Weber used flat on the fireboxes, at least on the early grills.

 

[Cody Bratton]

I just personally like it better and wouldn't change any of them, even though I do think Weber used flat on the fireboxes, at least on the early grills.

I think that the heat of the firebox kills off the sheen a little quicker as well. I am trying to remember what FB group the guy posted a pic of the brand new, never used or restored Genesis 2... I feel like that would be a good one to look at to test your thoughts. I don't disagree that the paint/sheen on the boxes and end caps was different from the factory. The end caps also seemed to have more texture to them than the boxes did. And from a design aspect, I would think they would want to draw the attention to the most aesthetically pleasing (shiny) portion of the grill, the lid.