Painting Stove Grates?

[zip95864]

The stove grates in my kitchen look terrible ----- I've researched the high heat paints made for car engines and the like but they all say not for exposure to direct flame ----- this is a gas stove.

How does the factory paint/coat these things? There must be an answer ----- I just want them glossy black.

The stove is probably 20 years old so finding replacement grates is probably a long shot and the budget doesnt have room for a new stove top.

Thanks

 

[Bill Bowman]

Maybe the high temperature coatings used on headers? Bill

 

[Engineer61]

They are coated with porcelain like an old cast-iron bathtub, just black instead of white.
They are heated red hot and then finely ground colored glass is sifted onto the part, the glass melts forming that very smooth, hard coating. Also why they will chip if struck hard enough - like dropping a cast iron skillet on them. No real way to repair the coating at home, you need to buy new grates.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have thought about this also. Any painting may outgas when heated and cause an issue with fumes. If the grates are part of a grilltop, the surface would be in direct contact with food.

 

[Milton Shaw]

A ceramics shop might be able to help you with a gloss black glass based coating and then use their kiln to fire them. Other than that I don't think you are going to be able to do them and get them to last. Black porcelain like the poster said is the original coating.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

do what they do at used appliance stores, spray with barbeque grill paint and be done with it.

 

[AZ Pete]

If you can't find new ones, here's a place that refinishes them

http://www.antiquegasstoves.com/pages/reporcelain.html

 

[Junk Scout]

jet hot or a similar company? Maybe these guys can help. I've used them for headers & exhaust pipes. Lots of colors options, etc. http://www.jet-hot.com/

 

[Clik]

How does a black skillet stay black? Oil 'em up once in a while.

 

[zip95864]

If you can't find new ones, here's a place that refinishes them

http://www.antiquegasstoves.com/pages/reporcelain.html

Thanks for the link ----- FYI they quoted me $35 per grate or $140. Will probably live with it.

Once I get my sandblaster working, maybe I'll try that.

 

[AZ Pete]

I think that clik has an idea if they are cast iron, under that porcelain