i'd spray em with a cleaner, then wipe it off, then scratch em up abit with some sand paper, as for paint, they have p1 that works good, make sure u get the 1500 degree shit, not the 500 cause that'll burn right off, and ur local hardware might have paint for woodstoves, its good for 1500 degree's and cheaper, denniskirk carries the paint, check under chemicals, good luck