From table-scapes to tiki torches, summer party ideas almost always inspire me to get outside. One thing that’ll fire up your summer party—and make the grill master happy—is giving the old grill a big pop of color.
I love a grill that sports a color, especially if I can customize it. But, we beat on our grills. Aside from the obvious flame-treatment, we leave grills outside all year long to endure baking sun or, when summer party ideas are a distant thought, winter snow. So for something so central to the party—have you ever had a cookout where people aren’t gathered by the fire?—it’s awesome for it to look awesome.
It’s also awesome, says Captain Practical, when you can spend a little time, instead of a lot of money, improving what you have already paid for once.
First thing you need is high-heat paint. There are lots of high-temp paints, but not all of them hold their color. I like Krylon’s High Heat Max. It both holds its color—even against 1200-degree flare ups—and goes on easily. It seals corrosion too so I know any spots that have rusted in the past are taken care of.
Whenever I paint anything metallic, I scrape, wire-brush, or sand any loose material like rust flakes. My mom taught me (in a more elegantly Mom way than this) you can’t paint dirt. If it’s not securely attached to the thing you’re painting, it’s never going to be.
Then I scuff existing paint with sandpaper and wipe it down to make it like the party guest you don’t want: Clean, dry and dull (well, maybe just the dry and dull part).
Next, tape off anything you don’t want painted, then go to town. Hold the can 6-8 inches away and spray in smooth sweeping motions. And when it comes to spray paint, less is more. Krylon High Heat Max is dry to touch in 10-minutes, so I like to apply several light coats.
Quick note: Don’t paint the inside of the grill or the grates.
Now you’re customized and fired up to bring your summer party ideas to life with a grill that’s comin’ in hot.
[…] Tagged curb appeal, door decoration, Summer, Therma Tru. Bookmark the permalink. « Summer party ideas: How to paint a grill Get the lowdown on MyFixitUpLife LIVE! Google+ Hangouts […]