Paint or something else ?

[dtel]

Not close to being finished yet but what is the most common way to deal with a new smoker build. "The outside" It's just the normal rusty metal finish, clean rust and paint or oil with something?
I tried searching and had no luck, I would like to have something that would last while. Thought about high temp paint but have no idea if there are better ideas?
Thanks

 

[SMOKEOCD]

Polymerized linseed oil. I’m just about through the can (pint) and have covered everything a couple of times. It’s about $35, just wipe it on with a rag. Retouching spots, I use a wire cup on a drill to get any surface rust and wipe on some more oil. Inside is vegetable oil.

 

[dtel]

I had heard people say that but did not know it really worked, that would be easier than paint for me since I do the same with my cast iron pans but using bacon grease of vegetable oil and it makes a nice finish when cooked on. Thanks

 

[SMOKEOCD]

I just got my smoker this month, so have been oiling and firing the smoker to bake on the finish a couple weeks now. The welds are some spots where I had to reapply, and the expanded metal shelf under the smoker where it’s welded to the frame.

 

[1MoreFord]

Something I saw recently on YouTube might work.
It's supposed to be an old Amish idea. Make a strong black tea mix, or a "tea" of oak bark and/or leaves. You are wanting a tannic acid mixture. It only works on surface rust, not un-rusted or scale rust.
IIRC the instructions say that once made, paint it on the surface and let it dry. It's supposed to turn black. Once it's black then coat it with linseed oil.
Search YouTube for "Amish Tool Preservation" and several videos will appear.
Here's one:

 

[dtel]

Since I read your post I watched that video and a bunch more, it goes back way longer than the Amish by hundreds of years. I am not ready yet but will be looking for some dry tannic powder which seems like the easiest way to go from what I watched. Seems to take a couple of coats then let dry and then use boiled linseed oil.
Thanks seems to sure be worth a try.