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Refurb/refinish BGE handle

LimpBrizkit
LimpBrizkit Posts: 7
in EggHead Forum

I’ve seen some posts on new manufactured BGE handles and custom ordered handles, but has anyone tried refinishing the regular wood handles before they get too far gone?

I’m in the middle of a refurb project on mine and a couple friends’ handles. Sanded, stained, and then have done several coats of gradually increasing strength of epifanes varnish on them. Trying to keep the varnish dust/bubble free is the only issue as I get close to the finish. Any suggestions from anyone who’s done this?

Using good Purdy brush, cleaning brush thoroughly between coats (24+ hours), finely sanding 400-600 grit paper, wiping clean, and brushing epifanes with zero air circulation in an outbuilding overnight. Turn back on AC + fans in the morning. It’s coming along. Progress pictures at various stages attached. Just want to finish these right. 5 coats in. Hope it lasts years with a good epifanes finish. Any input appreciated.

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Budweiser and I go way back.

LBGE
18" Weber kettle
22" Weber kettle
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Comments

  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109

    Looks like you are making a xylophone

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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109

    Soak wood with marine epoxy, sand, coat with spar urethane. Good for a few years.

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  • thetrim
    thetrim Posts: 11,387

    @nolaegghead is that a million times better than just doing several coats of polyurethane on it?

    =======================================
    XL 6/06, Mini 6/12, L 10/12, Mini #2 12/14 MiniMax 3/16 Large #2 11/20 Legacy from my FIL - RIP PitBoss Navigator 850G 11/25
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  • H12mike
    H12mike Posts: 134

    The OP must be a boater. Epifanes is the varnish of choice for yachtsmen.

    X-Large BGE, DigiQ, ThermaQ (Blue), CyberQ, Joetissirie, UltraQ, (ex.FlameBoss 200)

    Highland Village, TX

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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109

    The problem with the handle is with it getting hot.

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    I love lamp..
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  • LimpBrizkit
    LimpBrizkit Posts: 7

    Never been a yachtsman, although I have been on a few John boats before. I read some info on folks using epifanes for tables and it holding up well. I think the solution is to put sawhorses in a shower and close the curtain/door to make a paint booth. Wife would probably have a couple objections though.

    Friend just cooked a pizza with that handle and held up fine. We’ll see after a few years.

    should've made a xylophone though. Next up on my list!

    Budweiser and I go way back.

    LBGE
    18" Weber kettle
    22" Weber kettle
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  • H12mike
    H12mike Posts: 134

    High end oars and paddles are made by dipping in varnish.

    X-Large BGE, DigiQ, ThermaQ (Blue), CyberQ, Joetissirie, UltraQ, (ex.FlameBoss 200)

    Highland Village, TX

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  • LimpBrizkit
    LimpBrizkit Posts: 7
    edited May 2019

    Before and after. Message me in a couple years. We’ll see what happens.

    AD12BD43-54CD-49B0-B1A4-E37E9B267090.jpeg


    B4964DB7-2773-4A9A-AFEE-F15135C683DF.jpeg


    Budweiser and I go way back.

    LBGE
    18" Weber kettle
    22" Weber kettle
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  • ProfessorEggman
    ProfessorEggman Posts: 4

    This may seem a little weird, but my handle was looking shabby, so I took it off and did a light sanding, then waxed it down with Honest Amish Beard Wax. The main ingredient is beeswax, which gives the wood a nice polished finish, and the virile smell that accompanies it compliments the Big Green Egg brand. I chose not to sand and varnish the entire handle because I would have lost the logo, and for some reason, the words “Big Green Egg” are important to me.

    9CE6A3F7-4E93-4E7F-9E15-88011F912645.jpeg
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  • LimpBrizkit
    LimpBrizkit Posts: 7

    your handles still look like they were in good enough shape to salvage the logo. Looks good!

    Mine and my friends’ handles were already greyed to the point where the logo wasn’t there anymore. Even though we keep ours underneath a cover, the elements still get to it eventually. Had to hand sand a good bit to get down to stainable wood. I thought about wood-burning “DILF” into all of our handles for a good logo. The extra work talked me out of it.

    Budweiser and I go way back.

    LBGE
    18" Weber kettle
    22" Weber kettle
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  • ProfessorEggman
    ProfessorEggman Posts: 4

    Woodworking and owning a BGE definitely qualify “DILF” status.

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  • GATraveller
    GATraveller Posts: 8,207

    Those look great. Good work.


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