Chimney paint

I've been studying the threads on here and Plastikote BBQ paint seems to be what most people or using. My question is are people undercoating first with something or just slapping it straight on? Are people using the same paint for the brass plates on the front of the smokestack?

Also are there any easy ways to fit the chimney base? Mine is taking a lot of filing and is causing me a few headaches getting a nice snug fit.

As always, any advice great fully received.

Jim

Can't help with the chimney base but in relation to the painting I used VHT paint from Frost, but gave it a really good sand to get a good key and applied direct. I think Adam gave advice on this somewhere and advised etch primer. Let me have a dig and ill come back with the link.

Edit..... https://traction.forumotion.com/t1624-zintec-cladding#13797

The technique I used was to tape a sheet of metal oxide paper to the smokebox (only one layer ), and then rub the bronze casting over the sheet in both directions. I continued rubbing until there was a polished area all around the outside edge of the casting about 5mm wide. I reasoned that the foliac would take care of the rest. The two diameters (smokebox and base) would be slightly different by the thickness of the abrasive paper, but in practice you can't see the join and I am happy with the end result.
Has anyone got a comment about why it shouldn't be done that way?
Best wishes,
Hamish.

Hi Jim,
I painted my chimney,base, and smokebox with Halfords high temperature paint 6 years ago, and it still looks good these days. I used no primer on the steel and iron parts, but the name rings were etch primed before using the HT paint. I simply flatted the paint off with 1200 wet'n'dry to reveal the brass lettering.
As for the chimney base to the smokebox,I recall having no real problems. Just one of those jobs that takes a while to get right. Mind you,foliac and paint will hide a multitude of sins!
Hope this helps,

Tony.

Hamish, Tony,

I taped some wet and dry to the smokebox and sanded the chimney base as suggested. I now have a nice snug fitting chimney base! Thanks for the top tip. 2 coats of halfors high temp paint and all is well.