Rust on the band of my 2006 BGE and band seems higher on the top back - do I need to replace?

Canardflambe

Hi!

Long-time lurker, new member. I just bought a new (to me) large 2006 BGE upgrading from a small that we've loved for the last year. Its previous owner left it sitting for a long time and there was some rust on the band when I got it. It has cleaned up beautifully overall (pardon the pictures, that was prior to a new nomex gasket and overall cleanup), but there are two condition issues I have:

1) There is definitely rust on one 2 inch section of the band (picture 1). It still seems totally sturdy, but I was hoping the community could weigh in on whether it looks like it is safe to use. If it is just a cosmetic thing, I've protected it from further deterioration and am not too worried about htat.

2) I noticed something strange while cleaning the egg. The upper band seems to be farther away from the ceramic lip on the top in the back than in the front or on the bottom (picture 2). Open, you can't tell any difference from the inside. Is this normal?

3) Final question! I am hoping to replace two rusty nuts and one rusty cap nut on the band. Can I remove them without making the total band fall off? Or do I need to have someone holding the egg/band before I remove them for replacement?

Thanks! And thanks for all the great recipes and comments, we have benefited from them a great deal.

Mattman3969

I think i would remove the bands,sand and paint. Your second pic looks like there is a gap in between the dome and base that can be corrected when you re-assemble after painting the bands.

Canardflambe

Thanks for the suggestion Matt - I assume you mean paint the band, right?

jllbms

Secure the hinge with zip ties before you loosen the bolts, or.... boinnnnnggggg!

Mattman3969

Canardflambe said:

Thanks for the suggestion Matt - I assume you mean paint the band, right?

Yes

Canardflambe

Thanks all - so the consensus is that the band doesn't need replacing?

Canardflambe

Matt, done! We used naval jelly and grill paint, sand paper and steel wool and it looks fantastic. Thanks for the recommendation. Everything is reassembled and it looks like a new egg!

Mattman3969

Way to go, now get a pic of that thing in action!!