Tagwood BBQ · Maintenance
Care for Tagwood SI (Cold-Rolled Steel) Models: Rust Is Normal
Tagwood's SI-series grills are made from cold-rolled steel — surface rust is cosmetic, not a defect. Sand + paint + oil is the owner's annual routine.
By Reed · Updated November 10, 2026
What you need
- Fine-grit sandpaper or steel wool
- High-temperature rust-preventive paint
- Clean paper towels
- Cooking oil (any high-smoke-point type)
Step by step
Identify the affected areas
Walk around the grill when it's dry. Rust shows as orange-brown patches on cold-rolled surfaces — usually the firebox exterior, cart frame, or shelf supports.
Lightly sand with fine-grit sandpaper or steel wool
Remove loose rust and give the paint a clean surface. Don't go deep — cold-rolled steel is thinner than stainless.
Apply high-temperature rust-preventive paint
Paint rated for 1200°F+ (grill/stove paint). Thin coat, let dry fully. 2 coats if the first looks uneven.
Wipe exposed bare steel with a light coat of cooking oil
Oil blocks oxidation on any bare metal that wasn't painted. Thin layer, wiped not puddled.
Expect this annually in humid climates
Cold-rolled steel + humidity = rust. Annual sand+paint+oil keeps the grill looking clean and prevents deeper pitting.
Common mistakes
- Using regular latex paint. Regular paint burns off at grill temperatures and the rust comes right back. Only high-temp grill paint survives.
- Thinking SI rust is a warranty failure. Tagwood documents this explicitly as owner maintenance, not a defect. Save the call time.
Hands-on tips
- Buy the grill paint in bulk — one spray can covers multiple seasons.
- For SS stainless surfaces, rust shows differently (small spots of brown on grey) — those get nylon brush + citric acid + rinse + passivate, NOT paint.
Questions people ask
Should I just buy an SS model next time?
Depends on climate. In dry climates, SI holds up fine with minimal maintenance. In coastal or humid areas, SS pays for itself in reduced upkeep.
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