Refinishing a fire pit

Question

The top of our fire pit is peeling off due to people putting their feet on it. We have considered repairing with high temp paint or glass tiles. From the research we have done, the latter may not be a good choice because of the grout expanding and cracking the tiles when outside temperatures fluctuate.  We live in the Oregon high dessert area. Does anyone know if there are textured, high heat paints available? I appreciate any other suggestions?

Paskidog · Answer

Your comment about the grout for tile expanding and contracting can be addressed by using a liquid latex additive to the dry grout instead of water. I have used this on several wood or coal stove surround installs with several being nearly 30 yrs old without any cracking whatsoever. Being exterior, you would want to make sure you keep up with the waterproofing on the grout lines (Thompson's etc).

Jeris Chitwood · Answer

Engine paint is hi-temp paint & comes in a lot of different colors.

Rst3271473 · Answer

I would suggest porcelain tile and stabilized grout.  This appears to be a gas fire pit and heat shouldn't be a problem for the porcelain tiles.

Betsy · Answer

All good ideas.  Once you get your fire pit like you want it, get a fly swatter.  Why?  Because, anyone who puts their feet up there gets swatted! :)

Kate O'Hara · Answer

Definitely the high heat paint, but usually available in limited colors.  Maybe marine paint?

Jackie Byrd · Answer

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Ljd6276785 · Answer

Try  any porcelain tiles set very closely together NO grout.  Use the same  hi temp mortar used on fireplaces.

Amy Quinnie Houser · Answer

I have had the same problem with the paint on my fire table peeling. Have you found anything that works yet? I have not had any success.

Kim · Answer

Believe it or not, I'm just getting around to working on this project. When looking for the high temp mortar, there is the consideration that it is an outdoor firepit, and will have rain exposure. Would that change your recommendation? Any better product to use? Will the thickness of the tile make a difference? Thanks for your help. Kim

Donna · Answer

We have the Real Flame rectangular fire table, and the fibreglass has cracked and chipped worse every year due to the Canadian climate. Our first attempt to mask the damage was to use 3 stain colours to do a faux marbling of the table, which looked awesome for one summer (then the table chipped and cracked further during the winter [stored inside the garage]). Last year, we fiberglassed the areas with missing chunks and the larger cracks. Pulled it out this spring to see that those have also peeled and lifted. Our next attempt will be to build a cedar cover for it that can lift on/off. We’re thinking of using the thin cedar slays that you see on houses, leaving small gaps between slats, and then we can just vacuum off the new chips each year, but at least it’ll be nice to look at. Note that our table has glass panels that will act as a barrier between the fire and the wood.

Refinishing a fire pit

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