Ralph Meyer
TVWBB Fan
All, I wanted to consolidate in one post the forum’s info and my experience with gray paint for 3XX grills, especially the firebox/endcaps, which are now being in need of paint more often. While black is an option for black grills, I think most would prefer something closer to stock for most of the other colors. I recently sold a grill and made a little profit and decided that since my grill activity is pretty much a not-for-profit enterprise that I would to test out paints I so I could see them with my own eyes. I hope everyone will add with their experience.
Recommendations:
Firebox/Endcaps-VHT Flame Proof Cast Iron is the closest match to the original paint and should look acceptable for all grill colors
Frame/panel pieces-Use the VHT for those subject to heat and Rustoleum Farm and Implement Massey Ferguson Gray for the rest. Any of the paint options that have a Massey Ferguson color should be acceptable.
Gray Firebox Options-
VHT Flame Proof-Cast Iron. Of my experience, this is the best option I’ve found. I have a love/hate experience with it as some of the parts I’ve used it on look really good, others not so much. This paint has some metallic in it, so can look a little different depending on angle. The base color is a nice complement to the original color and I thought it looked fine on the stainless 330. I also found if applying a little dry it would build up and little particles flake off when rubbed. But it still looked pretty good
As shown on cookbox in this picture by another forum member.
On the left of this endcap next to original paint in the middle.
And some shots of the 330 I used it on. Notice the white (or dark depending on angle) on the left side of the firebox. This is where my initial coat was either too wet or too dry, and it never would cover correctly during that paint session. I put on numerous coats to no effect. Instructions for this paint call for 10 minutes between coats and all coats within 1 hour, otherwise wait 7 days to repaint. I’m sure I could have waited for the 7 day window for repaint to cover it and have it look good, but I’m too impatient for that. It really looks better in person than the pictures
Notice in this shot the endcap is very smooth, while the box, where I built up many coats, has a much rougher finish.
Stove Bright Charcoal. This is much darker than the original gray. I was very impressed how well it covered. Very easy to get a good finish. Here it is on the right next to the original paint in the middle.
And here’s a shot where Bruce used on a firebox
It looked very nice on the Blue Grill he was working on-
POR 15 High Temp Manifold Gray. Also much darker, I used the canned version. I didn’t try to get a good finish once I saw it was much darker than I was interested in. It's on the left here, and that's just Rustoleum High Heat primer on the right.
VHT Ford Gray. Bluer shade of gray that doesn’t really match well, but isn’t too visible. I think Jon used this on a firebox but couldn’t find any pictures. Jon, can you dig up some pictures? Not sure I recommend this since its only rated to 550 deg.
High temp silvers are available in Rustoleum and Krylon but are really too bright for the 300s. Here’s a picture as used on an old 310.
Stove Paint Gloucester Gray. I found the Stove Paint line while surfing for high heat paint and hoped this might be a good match based on the web swatches. Unfortunately, this color only comes in a can and is hideously expensive with super outrageous shipping charges. $70.00 later I had a quart. It’s really more of a light beige rather than any type of gray. Put it on real light over some Stove Bright Charcoal and it might be perfect!! Here’s where I started with it before deciding I was wasting my time.
Duplicolor Ford Engine Gray, and I assume all duplicolor paints will not hold up to firebox temps. DO NOT USE.
Recommendations:
Firebox/Endcaps-VHT Flame Proof Cast Iron is the closest match to the original paint and should look acceptable for all grill colors
Frame/panel pieces-Use the VHT for those subject to heat and Rustoleum Farm and Implement Massey Ferguson Gray for the rest. Any of the paint options that have a Massey Ferguson color should be acceptable.
Gray Firebox Options-
VHT Flame Proof-Cast Iron. Of my experience, this is the best option I’ve found. I have a love/hate experience with it as some of the parts I’ve used it on look really good, others not so much. This paint has some metallic in it, so can look a little different depending on angle. The base color is a nice complement to the original color and I thought it looked fine on the stainless 330. I also found if applying a little dry it would build up and little particles flake off when rubbed. But it still looked pretty good
As shown on cookbox in this picture by another forum member.
On the left of this endcap next to original paint in the middle.
And some shots of the 330 I used it on. Notice the white (or dark depending on angle) on the left side of the firebox. This is where my initial coat was either too wet or too dry, and it never would cover correctly during that paint session. I put on numerous coats to no effect. Instructions for this paint call for 10 minutes between coats and all coats within 1 hour, otherwise wait 7 days to repaint. I’m sure I could have waited for the 7 day window for repaint to cover it and have it look good, but I’m too impatient for that. It really looks better in person than the pictures
Notice in this shot the endcap is very smooth, while the box, where I built up many coats, has a much rougher finish.
Stove Bright Charcoal. This is much darker than the original gray. I was very impressed how well it covered. Very easy to get a good finish. Here it is on the right next to the original paint in the middle.
And here’s a shot where Bruce used on a firebox
It looked very nice on the Blue Grill he was working on-
POR 15 High Temp Manifold Gray. Also much darker, I used the canned version. I didn’t try to get a good finish once I saw it was much darker than I was interested in. It's on the left here, and that's just Rustoleum High Heat primer on the right.
VHT Ford Gray. Bluer shade of gray that doesn’t really match well, but isn’t too visible. I think Jon used this on a firebox but couldn’t find any pictures. Jon, can you dig up some pictures? Not sure I recommend this since its only rated to 550 deg.
High temp silvers are available in Rustoleum and Krylon but are really too bright for the 300s. Here’s a picture as used on an old 310.
Stove Paint Gloucester Gray. I found the Stove Paint line while surfing for high heat paint and hoped this might be a good match based on the web swatches. Unfortunately, this color only comes in a can and is hideously expensive with super outrageous shipping charges. $70.00 later I had a quart. It’s really more of a light beige rather than any type of gray. Put it on real light over some Stove Bright Charcoal and it might be perfect!! Here’s where I started with it before deciding I was wasting my time.
Duplicolor Ford Engine Gray, and I assume all duplicolor paints will not hold up to firebox temps. DO NOT USE.
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