Fire box rehab Q’s

[KCrews]

How does everyone finish inside of their fire box end caps? Paint? Bare?

Would you grind down these end caps or just attempt to repaint?

Also I took apart the fire box on my 2001 Summit and there seems to be some sort of orange caulking or insulation on the seams. Ever see this? Need to replace? If so with what?

Any advise on this cook box restore is welcome. I’ve never tackled a rehab this large...

 

[KCrews]

 

[J Grotz]

Do NOT paint the inside of the firebox and lid sides. Leave them bare. Paint on the inside can contaminate food.

 

[Bruce]

I am going to say you will have to strip the end caps completely. The outside coating is failing and trying to spot strip it will result in a very odd looking paint job. Never paint anything on the inside of the grill. It will burn off and throw off toxins into your food.
If you can find someone to sand blast the cook box and end caps for a reasonable price, that is ideal. Otherwise, an angle grinder and wire cup brush is your best option.
The "caulking" is actually high temp RTV silicone. It is used to seal up the cook box .

 

[KCrews]

I am going to say you will have to strip the end caps completely. The outside coating is failing and trying to spot strip it will result in a very odd looking paint job. Never paint anything on the inside of the grill. It will burn off and throw off toxins into your food.
If you can find someone to sand blast the cook box and end caps for a reasonable price, that is ideal. Otherwise, an angle grinder and wire cup brush is your best option.
The "caulking" is actually high temp RTV silicone. It is used to seal up the cook box .

Thanks. I’m guessing I should replace the silicone when I reassemble?

 

[Bruce]

Yes, you should.. You can buy it online or any auto parts store.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002UEN1A/?tag=TVWB-20

 

[KCrews]

So after 1.5 hours tonight this is as far as I got... is it normally this slow going?

I am going to say you will have to strip the end caps completely. The outside coating is failing and trying to spot strip it will result in a very odd looking paint job. Never paint anything on the inside of the grill. It will burn off and throw off toxins into your food.
If you can find someone to sand blast the cook box and end caps for a reasonable price, that is ideal. Otherwise, an angle grinder and wire cup brush is your best option.
The "caulking" is actually high temp RTV silicone. It is used to seal up the cook box .

I am going to say you will have to strip the end caps completely. The outside coating is failing and trying to spot strip it will result in a very odd looking paint job. Never paint anything on the inside of the grill. It will burn off and throw off toxins into your food.
If you can find someone to sand blast the cook box and end caps for a reasonable price, that is ideal. Otherwise, an angle grinder and wire cup brush is your best option.
The "caulking" is actually high temp RTV silicone. It is used to seal up the cook box .

 

[Bruce]

What are you using to strip those?

 

[KCrews]

What are you using to strip those?

Angle grinder and wire cup

 

[Bruce]

I would think you could strip an end cap like that in about 20 minutes With an angle grinder and wire cup brush

 

[KCrews]

I would think you could strip an end cap like that in about 20 minutes With an angle grinder and wire cup brush

I thought so.. And that’s what I was afraid of... It’s taking forever.

I bought the wire brush cup and angle grinder from HF...

I have no idea what I’m doing wrong...

 

[Bruce]

It takes some practice to figure out the best way to use the angle grinder. But I still think an hour and a 1/2 is way too long for one and cap. Without being able to actually see you doing it it is hard to say what you might be doing wrong.

 

[Richard in NS]

It takes some practice to figure out the best way to use the angle grinder. But I still think an hour and a 1/2 is way too long for one and cap. Without being able to actually see you doing it it is hard to say what you might be doing wrong.

Hey Bruce, maybe you need to make a tutorial video for us on how to clean up the end caps and firebox.

 

[Bruce]

I think I did post a video of the fire box and angle grinder.

The thing is, I found a local sand blaster guy and it is totally worth what he charges not to have to grind them any more.

 

[Rick_Neilly]

So I've never done something like this before. I used my drill with a wire brush attachment to do the above. Does that look about right? Do I need to sand this down now to smooth it out or do I hit it with the brake cleaner and high heat paint next?

 

[Bruce]

YOu have the right idea.