Need a little help with new kettle

[strudle]

My neighbor handed me this over our fence, he hasn't touched it in over a decade. I'd like to bring it back to life and cook some great food on it. The "code" is H which I believe means it was made in 1986 but the paint has a copper to black style gradient to it? The lid is mostly fine but I'd like to repaint the bottom to match. Any idea what exact color that might be? Thanks for reading and any help!

https://ibb.co/znFvWD3
https://ibb.co/yFSDjNg

[Cellar2ful]

First off, Welcome to the WKC Forum studle. What you have is what Weber called a "chocolate". Webers are not painted but are porcelain enamel coated. The porcelain is applied as a powder and then baked onto the metal surface at 1,380 to 1,560 degrees. 

Try cleaning the kettle using #0000 steel wool and dawn soap.  You'll be amazed at how the porcelain will shine.  Follow the instructions in this link to clean your kettle. 

 http://weberkettleclub.com/weber-grill-restoration-interior-and-exterior-kettle-cleaning/

[JEBIV]

sound advice above

[Troy]

My neighbor handed me this over our fence, he hasn't touched it in over a decade. I'd like to bring it back to life and cook some great food on it. The "code" is H which I believe means it was made in 1986 but the paint has a copper to black style gradient to it? The lid is mostly fine but I'd like to repaint the bottom to match. Any idea what exact color that might be? Thanks for reading and any help!

https://ibb.co/znFvWD3
https://ibb.co/yFSDjNg

Welcome to Club Chocolate!
That's an exotic collectible cooker.

You can find some engine or header paints that will hold their color for a while, but I don't think anyone has found one that tolerates the Weber heat. Everything turns black in time.

The battle scars look best au natural IMO. I regret most of my porcelain restoration efforts on my kettles.

[Weberz]

I wouldn't recommend painting it as others have noted, instead just clean, enjoy and keep covered when not in use


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