What is Durawood, really?

[KellyMc]

I just assumed Durawood was a Trex-like plastic composite material.

I also assumed that since my Genesis 1100 has the gray slats and handle that it's Durawood.

On closer examination though, my handle appears to have woodgrain underneath paint.

So is "Durawood" just a coated wood, or do I just have painted wood? And has anyone had much luck stripping this wood and refinishing?

 

[ChuckO]

So is "Durawood" just a coated wood, or do I just have painted wood? And has anyone had much luck stripping this wood and refinishing?

It’s real simulated wood

 

[Bill W San Diego]

I just fell off the couch on that one ChuckO. Too funny.

Bill

 

[Rich Dahl]

My owners manual for my 1999 1000 LX says "This environmentally friendly material is made from 100% recycled plastic milk bottles".

 

[Chris S (Tucson)]

I do wonder if it can be painted though. I mean I don't see why not - most plastic can be, I just don't know how well it would last.

 

[LMichaels]

It's basically TREX material. And yes it can be painted

 

[Chris S (Tucson)]

It's basically TREX material. And yes it can be painted

Good to know. I'm somewhat tempted, since the grey really isn't very attractive. But not sure it would look "right".

 

[KellyMc]

Here's picture of my real simulated wood-like wood handle after a light sanding.

I'm going to completely strip one of the slats and see how it looks stained.

 

[Chris S (Tucson)]

Here's picture of my real simulated wood-like wood handle after a light sanding.

I'm going to completely strip one of the slats and see how it looks stained.

Well, that's wood. Odd. I wonder if a previous owner painted it grey?

 

[KellyMc]

It seems pretty raw under the paint -- didn't the wood ones come stained or varnished?

 

[Stephen R]

Our two Genesis 5000s and our Genesis 1100 came with a thinly coated, grey painted wood (not plastic) slats.

In my opinion they look much nicer with the stained slats.

 

[KellyMc]

That paint came off pretty easily with a sander, although the cutouts in the handle are a problem.

With my grill, at least, the handle seems to be made of better stuff than the slats. I'm planning to toss them and make new ones from scratch.

I sanded the handle with 120 and then 240 and finished it with teak oil. Not too bad.