Is It Possible To Repair Flaking Stainless Steel?

[Mr. Dripping]

I have a thermopot mash tun...about 3 years old now.
Inside the tun, towards the top of the rim there is a small area that is flaking.
Does anyone know of anything suitable that would cover/repair this??
I've done a few searches, but the only thing I can find that might work is spray on enamel.
Can post a picture later if it would help and would appreciate any guidance that anyone can offer. Thanks

[Morten]

I have never heard of flaking stainless.

Can you weld on a patch?
I have heard Americans using JB weld on stainless, but I have no first hand experience.

[Dave S]

I have never heard of flaking stainless.

Can you weld on a patch?
I have heard Americans using JB weld on stainless, but I have no first hand experience.

Me neither. I'd say it it's flaking, it's not stainless.

[Fil]

can u post a pic of the flaking?? if im understanding the term it smells of a plating ?? im confused

[Mr. Dripping]

IMG_1788

[Morten]

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Looks very strange!

[jmc]

I also initially thought it must be plated but after looking at pic it doesn't look like chrome-plate peeling. to me

Its difficult from pic but it looks like some of insulation is showing and ss looks very, very thin. Its as if part of ss inner layer has cracked or worn away, and thin edge peeling back.

Unfortunately I doubt whether welding a plate over it is possible on a thermopot as you'd scorch the insulation.

Maybe file down edges that have risen & JB weld a thin plate/strip over it to cover it and stop condensation getting into insulation?

[Fil]

wow. maked me go n check mine pdq did that pic..
???? looks like something bashed it and caught? and perhaps a bit of bad unfluxed welding just fell out. if so u could try sanding back and filling with silver solder,
might have to ebay USA for some suitable flux in a small volume and low silver content solder (8%silver) should be ok to solder with an electric iron. dont use electronics silver solder the rosin flux isnt water based and highly toxic, all fluxes are afaik toxic, but ones designed for sanitary soldering will wash off the electronics rosin flux wont.

a torch solder may heat the insulation to toxic fume heat? angle grinding the bottom of mine scorched the insulation and it smouldered nastily.

us brew sites where kegs are used for kettles have info on silver soldering SS bosses onto kegs for electric elements.. where i saw it and read references to suitable US products for the job..

[Mr. Dripping]

Thanks for the replies.
The soldering is probably beyond my scope....certainly in terms of equipment and most probably in terms of practical ability.
I suppose I'm fortunate in that it is above the mash liquor line...even when batch sparging.
Shame, cos it's a nice pot that's been well modded with a good ball valve and false bottom......will have to have a think on.
Thanks again.