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Grill Talk => Weber Kettle Forum => Topic started by: tb6844 on June 14, 2015, 01:21:26 PM

Title: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: tb6844 on June 14, 2015, 01:21:26 PM
Picked this up on Saturday.  It's an 18" patent pending Avocado.  I'm assuming from 1969 or 1970, right?  In really nice shape.  The lid is nearly flawless, besides the handle.  The bowl has a few rust spots, primarily right where the grate holders are welded on the inside.  The bottom vents were seized up, but after soaking with penetrating fluid overnight they loosened up nicely.  I anticipated I'd probably have to drill out the rivets, so that was a nice surprise. 

(http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u385/tb6844/Avocado/DSCN6812_zpsgt9rsgct.jpg) (http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/tb6844/media/Avocado/DSCN6812_zpsgt9rsgct.jpg.html)

(http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u385/tb6844/Avocado/DSCN6813_zpsbfjzdgoe.jpg) (http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/tb6844/media/Avocado/DSCN6813_zpsbfjzdgoe.jpg.html)

(http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u385/tb6844/Avocado/DSCN6817_zpsqvdlssy3.jpg) (http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/tb6844/media/Avocado/DSCN6817_zpsqvdlssy3.jpg.html)

(http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u385/tb6844/Avocado/DSCN6821_zpssrsikbzt.jpg) (http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/tb6844/media/Avocado/DSCN6821_zpssrsikbzt.jpg.html)

(http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u385/tb6844/Avocado/DSCN6820_zps3tl08fsz.jpg) (http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/tb6844/media/Avocado/DSCN6820_zps3tl08fsz.jpg.html)

So, in your opinion is it worth trying to clean up the rust spots on the outside?  My thought was to tape around them, hit them with a wire brush dremel attachment and then paint black with high temperature paint...just to prevent any further rusting.  Any thoughts? 

I was pretty excited to get this for $10.  The guy had it listed on craigslist just as a "charcoal grill" for sale...didn't mention it was a Weber anywhere.  That's probably the only reason it lasted long enough for me to grab it. 

(http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u385/tb6844/Avocado/Capture_zpskmlztcps.jpg) (http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/tb6844/media/Avocado/Capture_zpskmlztcps.jpg.html)


I'll post a few pics after I clean it up/restore it.  I've got a big honey-do list this summer, but hopefully it'll be soon. 
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: SixZeroFour on June 14, 2015, 01:25:17 PM
Oh man that is a score and a half!!! Congrats on finding a really cool grill! 8)
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: SixZeroFour on June 14, 2015, 01:27:30 PM
Soak the wheels in evaporust for 3 hours and those whitewalls will come right back to life. ;)
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: MacEggs on June 14, 2015, 01:28:08 PM
Wow, that looks to be a nice one!  It doesn't appear to have any crazing on the bowl.  Great score!


Quote from: tb6844 on June 14, 2015, 01:21:26 PMSo, in your opinion is it worth trying to clean up the rust spots on the outside?  My thought was to tape around them, hit them with a wire brush dremel attachment and then paint black with high temperature paint...just to prevent any further rusting.  Any thoughts?

I personally would NOT paint those spots. 
Give them a good scrub with some 0000 steel wool, then apply some vegetable oil to prevent further rusting.

Those spots tell a story of its gloried past. 

However, it's your kettle now, so you can ultimately decide. Enjoy!


EDIT:  @glrasmussen showed me this stuff for the wheels.

(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj623/glrasmussen/3145343E-57E4-4EDF-9C70-B2A4AB9213D0_zps9xw68cil.jpg) (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/glrasmussen/media/3145343E-57E4-4EDF-9C70-B2A4AB9213D0_zps9xw68cil.jpg.html)
This was less than a minute each wheel. Toothbrush and rinse.
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj623/glrasmussen/5C5F4056-DF64-4B09-A38B-BCF8C714A031_zpso6lkq87s.jpg) (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/glrasmussen/media/5C5F4056-DF64-4B09-A38B-BCF8C714A031_zpso6lkq87s.jpg.html)
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj623/glrasmussen/19EDB91F-3C66-4890-B629-F030D02748D3_zpsnxg2mwpm.jpg) (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/glrasmussen/media/19EDB91F-3C66-4890-B629-F030D02748D3_zpsnxg2mwpm.jpg.html)
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: MrHoss on June 14, 2015, 01:28:40 PM
Wow. Gorgeous. Never done the repaint thing but from what I understand applying it to the bowl...where the heat is probably the highest....is asking for it to turn black when you toss charcoal in it.
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: MacEggs on June 14, 2015, 01:32:01 PM
Quote from: MrHoss on June 14, 2015, 01:28:40 PM
Wow. Gorgeous. Never done the repaint thing but from what I understand applying it to the bowl...where the heat is probably the highest....is asking for it to turn black when you toss charcoal in it.

Yes, you saw what happened to my 18" redhead on the bowl.  Won't be doing that again.  :-\ :-\
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: Hogsy on June 14, 2015, 01:42:44 PM
Ding Ding Ding!!!! Bingo!!! Yahtzee!!! And the survey says.......yes deal of the week!!!
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: chefn58 on June 14, 2015, 01:44:00 PM
That is one hell of a score. I personally agree with @maceggs. Hit it with steel wool and a little veggie oil and leave it alone. I like to keep the or restore them close to original.


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Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: Jeff on June 14, 2015, 01:44:11 PM
Wow, that's a nice find.   Its gonna clean up great!
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: 1buckie on June 14, 2015, 01:49:07 PM
Yes, that is a grate pickup !!!!


Not a whole heckuva lot of those around & it's in pretty darn nice shape.....the heat blow outs happen a lot wth color ones (maybe because it's color applied as a 2nd coat over black & sort of thick?), but man, everything else is really nice !!!!
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: Idahawk on June 14, 2015, 02:43:55 PM
My 18 sits untouched , it's a personal choice I restore some leave others alone as found ,neither way it's a spectacular little grill congrats !


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Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: Nate on June 14, 2015, 02:53:02 PM
Killer score!!! 8) 8)
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: jkolantern on June 14, 2015, 03:41:13 PM
Really nice. Don't see many avocado 18s. Get some zavs on it.
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: WNC on June 14, 2015, 04:19:22 PM
Great score! I like to use bacon grease on rust spots
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: tb6844 on June 14, 2015, 04:45:34 PM
Thanks for the feedback guys.  I think I'll go after the rust spots with the steel wool and oil as @MacEggs suggested.  I'm pretty leery of going after her with bbq paint.  I will definitely also check out that Rust Stain Remover.  I think I've seen that stuff at Menards before, so I can probably pick it up locally.  I'm looking forward to cleaning it up. 
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: charred on June 14, 2015, 04:55:19 PM
Boom! Huge score! Congrats and enjoy.
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: Qreps on June 14, 2015, 05:25:48 PM
Wow nice score!
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: Craig on June 14, 2015, 05:52:43 PM
Helluva deal! Congratulations!
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: 1911Ron on June 14, 2015, 10:46:21 PM
Dude you stole that, great score!
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: Uncle JJ on June 15, 2015, 08:25:08 AM
Awesome find!
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: Josh G on June 15, 2015, 12:06:45 PM
That lid looks fantastic.  Great Job!!!
Title: Re: $10 Avocado Score
Post by: GregS on June 15, 2015, 01:00:38 PM
what a nice find!  congrats! !