Need advice about prepping for paint / painting vent slide- build finish!

[tobycat]

Whoo Doggy! I am really close to having my mini build done! http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...build-pics-door-handle-and-cheap-hinge-design)

I am getting ready to weld on the angle brackets for my slide vent on my firebox.

I need to know if I should paint the slide plate first and the area on the firebox under the vent slide before I weld on the retainer brackets.

Any other advice on prepping for finish painting would be greatly appreciated!, I still have not done a burnout or cleaned up any welds etc. I have two cans of Krylon BBQ Black which is a high heat semi gloss and did not plan on using any primer.

Do I season the smoker before paint or after?

 

[kc5tpy]

Hello Tobycat.  Here is my opinion for what it is worth.  Others will have different advice.  This is only my opinion.  The paint before welding question is always tough.  Yes it probably would be good to paint under the slide before welding it in place but then the welding will burn the paint and you will have that welding smoke coating under the plate and paint will not stick to that.  Also the heat might cause the paint to flake and you may ot be able to get that out from under the plate.  Then again how do you get that smoke coating out from under the plate if you weld before paint?  In this case I think I would weld first.  Then I'd take a scrub brush dipped in paint thinner and scrub/wash as well as you can before the final paint.  If I remember correctly that tank was galvanized and you went through a lot of work to get that off.  I would do a good burn out before the final paint just to insure all the nasties are gone.  Season the smoker after the final paint.  Just my ideas.  Looking great.  Keep Smokin!

Danny

 

[tobycat]

Thanks Danny that helps a lot

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