The paint is relatively durable.  But, like with anything if you mistreat it you can’t expect it not to take on any sort of nicks, scratches, or scrapes.  If you’re a caterer for example, and plan on moving your drum around a lot from place to place, then a recommendation would be to either have us build you an unpainted one that you could paint/coat however you want, or one that we give a special clear coating to.  Those 2 are great options for situations that will likely be rough & messy.  When you’re hustling and moving to fulfill orders it will be hard to avoid drippage from grease, sauces, marinades, rotating & moving meat in and out, basting, mopping, etc.  Those things on hot painted surfaces will most likely create permanent greasy stains on the paint.  But, if you’re unit will be stationary in a home backyard setting, where you can be neater with your cooks, then it won’t be a problem for a nicely painted rig.

In terms of heat resistance the general paint applications we use can withstand higher temps without flaking and fading.  We’ve tested painted drums before, taking them up to about 650°F for a few hours and the paint was fine.  You’re never going to need those higher temperatures for this application anyway.  You can take the drum to 400°-450° intermittently for cooking & grilling items that cook faster & better at higher temperatures, like steaks and chicken and be fine.  With basic powder coating for example, that coating is not so good in terms of higher heat tolerances.  Going beyond 400°F with powder coat can result in the beginning stages of dulling, fading and possibly flaking/chipping.  However, powder coating is more durable when it comes to bumps & scratches (but, more expensive).