tzonoqua Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 Hi All, wondering if someone could point me in the right direction, I am looking for a suitable coating/finish for articles that are used in a fire, such as fire sets, trivets, tripods, etc. I normally finish work with oils/wax, but am looking for something a bit more durable... Could you tell me what you use? Regards, Colleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchmancreek Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 When I make campfire cook sets and tripods for outdoor use, I normally paint them with black hi-temp BBQ paint. I know it's not traditional but they generally are left out in the weather. The wax based finish I apply to other iron items wouldn't stand up to the exterior use. Speaking of non-traditional, I made a fireplace set for a lady who asked for them to be finished in dark hunter green. They actually looked pretty good with her decor, and I doubt if she ever really used them much. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 Anything used directly in the fire will burn off the finish so grates, tripods, cranes and poker tips will all be bare in short order. I use clear satin urethane on fireplace sets and simply tell the customer that they can clean away any rust with steel wool and recoat if they choose to. WD40 also works pretty well on indoor tool sets and can be easily reapplied by the end user. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny99 Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 How about stove black? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj2k Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 If I am making something that comes in direct contact with food, I use a cooking oil. Usually on tripods and lantern hanger and such I will polish and use straight used motor oil. This makes it easier for the end user to re-apply the finish as needed. On interior items I will use the wax/oil finish or clear polyurathane paint. I find myself more and more trying to stay away from any paint at all but it still has it's place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tzonoqua Posted June 24, 2007 Author Share Posted June 24, 2007 Thanks for the suggestions, I think I am leaning towards just giving the items the hot oil treatment to look presentable, and then giving the customer care instructions. Ta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 I use black fireplace paint, but a friend puts no finish at all, between the fire, soot, and cleaning the cooking surfaces no rust develops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strine Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 Usually on tripods and lantern hanger and such I will polish and use straight used motor oil. Although you don't mention it, HOT used motor oil fumes such as what you'ld get going from forge to slack tub is CARCENOGENIC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tzonoqua Posted June 25, 2007 Author Share Posted June 25, 2007 Thanks for pointing that one out, I tend to always use vegetable oils, but I am sure that even smoke/fumes from that aren't too healthy either!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRobb Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 What about trivets used strictly in the kitchen? Would a clear polyurathane finish work? I am trying to find a finish that won't transfer to a hot pot/pan placed on it. Thanks, Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don A Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 I find that a simple linseed or linseed/wax combination looks good new, and if the pieces are actually used as they are intended (in and around a fire), they naturally take on that "used and seasoned iron" look that we are all after anyway. A wipe-down with a greasy rag from a day's cooking will keep them looking very authentic, just like seasoned cast iron cookware. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 I paint my fire sets and trivets black. Anything that has direct contact with food, I use cooking oil or bees wax. The soot from the fire will keep them black. My own set is several years old and gets rained on at camps. It never rusts. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dablacksmith Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 ive gone to useing rustolium crystal clear on anything that dosent get used to touch food. its easy to use and keeps stuff from rusting before i sell it . i let my customers know what i use so they can touch it up and it looks good .i personally dont like black paint on ironwork as i think it makes it look like the crap inported from china .defenetly want to set my stuff apart from that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 My wife is a native of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, and I've made a few cooking trivets for either outdoor fires or for cooking in their small fireplaces. The legs average 8" tall. They expect no finish, so I give them an as-forged finish. Traditionally, they all use a wooden stick for a fire poker. The above information will not get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. If I'm doing steel fireplace tools, I give them a hot Johnson's floor wax finish. http://www.turleyforge.com Granddaddy of Blacksmith Schools Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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