Painting a PK Grill: Everything You Need to Know

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PK grills are known for their durability and longevity, which is why they’ve been passed down to generations for quite some time now.

However, some of us might think about applying a fresh coat of paint on our grill from time to time, and that’s what this article is about!

In today’s article, I’ll walk you through a brief guide with everything you need to know about painting a PK Grill and how to do it the right way.

So without further ado, let’s jump right in!

Is Painting a PK Grill Necessary?

The answer to this question depends on the state of your PK Grill, your maintenance level, and how long the grill has been in service.

PK Grills are made of cast aluminum, and while it’s fairly resistant to rust and corrosion, they might end up losing their luster and aesthetic quality with time.

Additionally, the paint layer on the surface of the grill deteriorates with time, especially when it’s exposed to sunlight and moist air for years.

Top Reasons to Paint Your PK Grill

As previously mentioned, there are plenty of reasons why painting your PK Grill is a good idea.

In this section, we’ll take a quick look at some of the situations that indicate that it’s time for a fresh coat of paint!

Restoration of the Original Look of the Grill: At some point, your grill, especially the lid, will lose its color and you might start seeing some blistering due to paint coat deterioration. This happens due to exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Changing the Color of the PK Grill: Since PK Grills are available in a limited number of colors and finishes, you might be interested in applying a unique coat of paint to personalize your grill or even try out a color that doesn’t exist on the PK catalog.
Covering Scratches or Dents: When cast aluminum is heavily scratched, the paint and sealant layer will chip away, which exposes the aluminum to corrosion. Applying a fresh coat of paint will cover these scratches and prevent the moisture from ruining your grill.
Applying an Extra Coat of Protection from the Weather: If you live in an area with harsh weather, such as intense sunlight and by the salty lake, the grill will look tarnished and old quickly. Applying a fresh coat of paint will provide further protection from these elements.

How Often Should You Paint Your PK Grill?

The best way to figure out when it’s time to paint your grill is to determine it based on your purpose.

However, as a general rule, you should expect a good paint job to last up to 5 or even 10 years, depending on how well you maintain and clean the grill in the meantime.

How Much Does it Cost to Restore and Paint a PK Grill?

The answer here depends on whether you’re doing the job yourself or you’re leaving it to a professional.

If you have good DIY skills, the restoration process will take between a few hours to a couple of days and will cost you the price of paints, sealants, and tools.

A professional may cost you up to $80 to $200 depending on the rates in your area.

A Step by Step Guide to Show You How to Paint Your Grill

Now that you know more about painting PK Grills and why it’s necessary sometimes, here’s a quick guide that shows you how to do it yourself:

1. Thoroughly Clean the Grill on the Inside and Outside

First off, you should start by disassembling and unscrewing all the grill parts in order to paint hard to reach spots.

Once everything is disassembled, clean everything well and remove ashes, dust, and debris before heading to the next step.

2. Sand the Old Layer of Paint with Sandpaper

To enjoy a clean finish, especially if the grill is heavily scratched, you’ll need to sand it down. To do that, start with coarse sandpaper then shift to finer sandpaper gradually until you have a smooth surface and remove all the old layer of paint away.

You don’t need to stress yourself sanding every part, as you’ll still sand a little more after applying the primer. Just make sure that the surface is smooth and clean.

3. Apply a Primer and Continue Sanding

Once you’re ready, start by applying a single coat of primer to your grill. Ideally, you should do that with an aerosol gun and make sure that you’ve covered the outside of the grill.

When the primer dries up, sand it down gently in order to regain the smoothness and remove any unwanted excess.

4. Apply Multiple Paint Coats

At that point, your grill should be ready for painting. Remember to fill the paint gun with acrylic colors, as they’re the best when painting cast aluminum like PK Grills.

You may apply multiple coats of paint if necessary for extra protection, but make sure to let the paint dry between rounds.

5. Apply Aluminum Enamel Sealer

When the painting process is finished and the colors are dry and stable, apply a coat of aluminum enamel sealer for further protection from the elements.

You can use any spray enamel sealer out there, but we recommend Rust-Oleum sealer for Aluminum.

6. Reassemble the Grill and Finish Up with Polishing Wax

When the sealer dries up, all that is left is to put everything back together in the same way you disassembled it.

Once you are done, you can finish up by adding a polishing wax layer, such as the 3M Marine Aluminum Restorer and Polish.

Wrap Up

With that said, you now have all the knowledge you need about painting a PK Grill as well as the right steps to get the job done right.

As you can see, painting your PK Grill isn’t mandatory if your grill is in a good shape and you’re cleaning it regularly.

However, if you want to restore your grill and help it stand the test of time, continuous use, and harsh outdoor weather, following the steps in this guide should do the trick!