I Need Help. Options for fire pits

[plasmartist]

To start off, I have sold about 30 fire pits so far and every customer has been a fan of developing a natural patina, except one; and he wants to buy quite a few as gifts for his clients so I am trying to learn what options I have. My fire pits are a flat pack design for portability, so it is important that I find something that wont leave ugly scratches when the parts are folded down and bumping around in the back of a car or pickup. I told the customer to wipe or spray some vegetable oil on the parts after fires, much like cast iron pans, but he seems to be less than satisfied with this option. Part of me wants to just kick this customer to the curb, but I also want to overcome this challenge because the rust look wont always be popular and learning something new never hurts.

I am personally a fan of the rust look, so to date I have not experimented with high heat rust prevention. I have purchased some 2000 degree clear coat and I will be experimenting with its results along with another pit that will just spray Pam on.

Thanks

[little blue choo]

No paint will hold up. It doesn't matter what temperature it is rated for. You are building a knock down type pit and it will scratch the first time you use it. I use flat black so the customer can touch it up easily.

Rick

[tnbndr]

I would say you are fighting a losing battle, especially with a knock down which there is no way to guarantee it won't scratch the finish. This is just common sense, if the customer doesn't get it, oh well. If he wants assembled and welded pits with a finish you could try some of the high heat engine paints or barbecue paints.
I just tell customers that I don't use them and if they intend on painting the fire pit I just make sure they have clean metal when they pick it up. I have had no takers on that option yet.

[plasmartist]

Thanks for your replies. I have been on the same boat, but was hoping I was ignorant to some miracle product. I think that for those that dont want the rust look, I will offer stainless as an option.

[Bigdogbro1]

Maybe HOT dipped galvanized if the silver color isn't any problem.

[Scratch]

Maybe HOT dipped galvanized if the silver color isn't any problem.

I don't think burning galvanized steel around a bunch of people roasting marshmallows is a good idea...?

Yeah, no coating is gonna hold up. The customer is going to have to deal with it.

[Billy wesson]

You may want to try some of the dyes that are for steel they will hold up to heat better than paint I build about 200 bar b que grills a year and dyes and gloss black paint work best good luck scratches are just a tattoo with a story behind them

[CGT80]

What about stainless steel?

Yes, it is expensive, but you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Smooth/polished steel seems to rust less, especially for hand tools. Maybe a fine surface disc and then oil it down after every use, as already suggested.