Baby is kinda ugly

Ragtop99

I just picked up a new medium with nest and eggmates.  I wanted to put a couple coats of spar urethane on the eggmates before putting the egg together so I pulled them out of the box and they are the new 2 slat designs.  Ok, I can live with that.  But then I looked at the color and finish.
First, its an icky brown.  The lighter color of my other egg mates was much nicer.  Second it looks like the finish was slapped on with a worn out paintbrush by a 4 year old kid at pre-school.



So now I'm trying to decide what to do.  Options that crossed my mind:

1) Paint it either black or royal blue in semi gloss or gloss paint.
2) Restain it with a dark stain.
3) Strip it and try to match the egg mates on my XL.

Given the dirt build-up on my XL eggmates (yes I clean them from time to time), painting it black is an appealing option.  Having to fully strip the shelves is least appealing. 

Suggestions?  Any of you customize your eggmates?

Lit

I got those also. When I took mine out of the box they weren't even completely dry yet and like you said the paint was splotchy and even missing in areas. I just use mine as is but would not recommend them.

Eggcelsior

Mine look a little better than that but I'm planning on sanding them down and re-staining.

RRP

Excuse me, but since they have gone to cheap plastic handles I wonder if those wings are even made of wood. That might explain the "uncured" or "not quite dry" nature. Cheap is what cheap shows best...cheapness!

Eggcelsior

They're definitely wood. Aren't the plastic ones more expensive anyway? )

JohnInCarolina

All I can think about is the Seinfeld episode.

Nick2cd

i came to the same conclusion as soon as i pulled my eggmates out of the box.  i think they are advertised to be made of cedar.  i feel like if i sneeze too hard around them, they may shatter.  it's on my list to make new wooden shelves as soon as time allows (probably 2017).  i may use walnut or cherry with a good spar varnish.

Eggcelsior

JohnInCarolina said:

All I can think about is the Seinfeld episode.

stevesails

I just got a set and they are plastic

Hokie_Smoker

Eggcelsior said:

All I can think about is the Seinfeld episode.

Breathtaking.

grego

Got a set yesterday. They are composite. The BGE site confirms it, made from a wood grained composite.

troutgeek

I believe the new wood mates only lasted a year. The new new mates are plastic/composite, and I believe are replacing the old gray composite and wood mates. I'm not so much a fan, and could see people picking other ceramic grill products over the bge because of them.

fishlessman

i think these changes are going to backfire in time. my new kub mini from vision wood mates are so nice i actally take them inside when not in use
) not sure how long thats going to last cause it surprises even me

Ragtop99

@Lit You're right they don't feel dry.  I forgot to add that gripe.

If it is a composite, then paint is the best course.  I'll wipe them down with a mild solvent and use a primer that really sticks.

Ragtop99

There is a 4th option.  A while back, I saw someone remove the wood slats and attach bamboo cutting boards in their place to get a bigger area with no gaps for stuff to fall through.

Of course by the time I do that, I could have bought the shelves instead of the mates. 
~X(

CajunEggHead

Too bad the Egg people are doing like everyone else getting cheaper by cutting corners like the plastic handles. I must have gotten one of the last with wood handles. Thank you Lord.

Skiddymarker

CajunEggHead said:

Too bad the Egg people are doing like everyone else getting cheaper by cutting corners like the plastic handles. I must have gotten one of the last with wood handles. Thank you Lord.

First off, no such thing as an ugly new egg. congrats on the purchase.

I like the look of wood as well, glad mine has them. I have not seen the new plastic handles, but have seen the new mates. 

However, years ago I had a deluxe gas grill with red wood shelves and hardwood handles on the cast lid. Over the ten years plus I owned it, I replaced the handles and refinished the shelves at least twice.

My 12 year old Broil King gasser has plastic/composite shelves and handles. Clean them with the pressure washer and they look like new - Although not as pleasing to the eye, plastic might be a very practical solution.   

Ragtop99

Skiddymarker said:

My 12 year old Broil King gasser has plastic/composite shelves and handles. Clean them with the pressure washer and they look like new - Although not as pleasing to the eye, plastic might be a very practical solution.   

The white composite shelves are nice and I would not complain about them.  For almost a Benjamin, the mates are not very nice.  I'm paying a lot for that bracket. 

gabriegger

Not sure if those egg mates are universal sized but I have seen stainless steel covers online that fit the large egg. Been meaning to pick some up myself but then again I've been meaning to do a lotta things

Ragtop99

A face only a mother could love...

My wife said meh, just use it as is.  I thought she would hate it more than me.  So for now, I'm just going to put it together and see if I get use to it.