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Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: VAis4BBQers on January 04, 2017, 01:32:33 PM

Title: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: VAis4BBQers on January 04, 2017, 01:32:33 PM
Hey guys, I was looking on some advice or recommendations on restoring a wooden handle on my wsm. It's weathered a bit and I'd like to keep the original. Is it a simple sand down, stain, protect sort of thing?

TIA!
Jason
Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: zavod44 on January 04, 2017, 02:45:56 PM
Personally, I would give it a light sanding until it's clean and spray it with spar varnish, then once it dries I would very lightly sand it, not sand all the varnish off, just to knock off the crunchies then spray again.  And maybe repeat that one more time....

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Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: zavod44 on January 04, 2017, 02:46:52 PM
Also do you have an original wood handle WSM I know those are very sought after....

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Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: VAis4BBQers on January 04, 2017, 02:53:00 PM
@zavod44 yes it's a recent pickup. No date code but owner said he had it around 15 years.


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Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: zavod44 on January 04, 2017, 03:00:53 PM
More like 30 years

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Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: zavod44 on January 04, 2017, 03:01:14 PM
Does it have a vent code?

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Title: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: VAis4BBQers on January 04, 2017, 03:03:53 PM
No vent code. Here's my original post

Can anyone age this cooker?
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/index.php?topic=26971


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Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: MikeRocksTheRed on January 04, 2017, 03:18:40 PM
Quote from: VAis4BBQers on January 04, 2017, 01:32:33 PM
Hey guys, I was looking on some advice or recommendations on restoring a wooden handle on my wsm. It's weathered a bit and I'd like to keep the original. Is it a simple sand down, stain, protect sort of thing?

TIA!
Jason

That is what I did on my 99 three wheeler.  I really light sanding then hit it with stain.  Looked really good when it was done...still looks like the original handle and doesn't really look like its been redone. 
Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: VAis4BBQers on January 04, 2017, 03:30:12 PM
Cool, that's good to know. I want to keep looking as original as possible.


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Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: Vwbuggin64 on January 04, 2017, 05:29:30 PM
Yes you will need to sand it until you are satisfied then use like a pecan varnish available at any hardware store (or a varnish of your choice). Make sure to use 320-400 grit sandpaper throughout each step. Then, once it's dried 24hrs, hit it with a coat of polyurethane. Let that dry, sand, and then another coat. It should be good to go by then. Look up zz top resto for how I did it and what I used.


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Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: Harbormaster on January 04, 2017, 05:46:18 PM
My best results come from using Watco Teak Oil finish. It takes multiple coats, but it's a marine grade finish and handles look absolutely great.
Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: Harleysmoker on January 04, 2017, 08:15:41 PM
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/wood-handles-restored/msg259392/#msg259392

Sand them down, Stain with what ever color you like (I used Minwax Pecan here), 3 coats of Minwax Spar Urethane , lightly sanding in between coats with steel wool, let each coat dry over night before sanding
Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: zavod44 on January 04, 2017, 08:38:32 PM
Personally I don't try to stain anything, I just don't like it but thats just personal taste. I like the look of the natural wood....
Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: Harleysmoker on January 04, 2017, 08:47:08 PM
Natural look is very nice on good wood. What kind of wood does Weber use? It's not Oak, Cherry, or Walnut,or anything desirable, and would look pretty bland with no color.
Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: 1ROW on January 04, 2017, 11:35:13 PM
I've found that after a thorough sanding old handles look really nice with a few simple coats of spar varnish.

Before
(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y489/J1ROW/IMG_20151010_021055666_zpsszsuix8f_edit_1483604852843_zpsrymufxu8.jpg) (http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/J1ROW/media/IMG_20151010_021055666_zpsszsuix8f_edit_1483604852843_zpsrymufxu8.jpg.html)

After
(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y489/J1ROW/IMG_20151017_171813764_zpsfjc9t6cl.jpg) (http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/J1ROW/media/IMG_20151017_171813764_zpsfjc9t6cl.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: Speedster on January 05, 2017, 02:23:31 AM
Which spar varnish? Satin? Or gloss


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Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: captjoe06 on January 05, 2017, 02:30:57 AM
The answers here are very helpful.  Thanks for the input!


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Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: Speedster on January 05, 2017, 10:54:19 AM

Quote from: zavod44 on January 04, 2017, 08:38:32 PM
Personally I don't try to stain anything, I just don't like it but thats just personal taste. I like the look of the natural wood....

Do u go satin or gloss? What's ideal for wooden handles?


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Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: zavod44 on January 05, 2017, 12:35:01 PM
I personally don't like gloss wood, but that is my own opinion.  You can do what ever tickles your fancy as far as gloss level.  The handles were originally made from walnut, but in the final years of wood handles they may have used what ever they could get cheap.....

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Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: MacEggs on January 05, 2017, 01:47:34 PM
Same here ... don't like gloss wood.  I prefer a satin finish with the spar varnish.

I personally like to go with an application of tung oil first.  Then finish it with a couple three coats of spar using Brian's recommendations mentioned earlier.

The tung oil can really bring out the grain of the wood, and add some nice, natural colour.
Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: zavod44 on January 05, 2017, 01:52:09 PM
Oil will really pop the grain

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Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: 1ROW on January 06, 2017, 04:48:48 AM
Yeah, I always use satin helmsman.
Title: Re: Advice on restoring wooden handles
Post by: FatBottomGrills on January 07, 2021, 04:11:30 PM
This is all very helpful!

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