Coating removal needed?

[Threadkiller]

Hey all,
I recently finished making a cauldron style fire pit and something just occurred to me. The hook I sourced for the build had some kind of plating (zinc/cadmium) on it. I didn't think about it until afterwards, should I have removed that coating before painting? I don't want any toxic fumes from the plating burning off. I was thinking of taking it off and mechanically stripping it down to bare metal but I'm not sure if that's necessary. I don't want to use any acids or anything aside from vinegar but I don't know if that would take the paint and coating off. Any input on whether I should bother or not? Nothings bubbling off the hook at this point, not sure if the hi-temp paint seals it in or not. Sometimes the fire does get pretty big and it does reach the hook. This picture is from when the fire was dying down a bit.

 

[Firebrick43]

The paint is going to burn off before the zinc.

But even if it does it’s going to be a big fire and you won’t be able to be that close to it anyways. And it’s outdoors. I wouldn’t worry about it.

Note. Zinc plating turns to a white ashy look when it’s burnt.

 

[The Cobbler]

he hook I sourced for the build had some kind of plating (zinc/cadmium) on it. I didn't think about it until afterwards, should I have removed that coating before painting? I don't want any toxic fumes from the plating burning off. I was thinking of taking it off and mechanically stripping it down to bare metal but I'm not sure if that's necessary. I don't want to use any acids or anything aside from vinegar

for ease of mind, take it off and dip it in muriatic acid , or toss it in the fire, or get another hook.