First Restoration, *pics* first RRR complete....

[bcmillerkcco15]

@brewtownbeatdown damn straight man!  I had no clue how much of that crap I inhaled until I caught myself in a mirror, at that point I had already inhaled so much I thought, what the hell covering up now would be useless.
I also rested my kettle in the trash can, really saved the mess and my back from not hunching over.

[bcmillerkcco15]

@crowderjd let me know how it turns out man....expect lots of elbow grease...

[bcmillerkcco15]

@Tommy B  thanks!

[1911Ron]

@bcmillerkcco15  if your sweep hardware is in decent shape i would use it, i would put a small dab of anti seize on the thumbscrew so later on down the road you can take it apart easier. That cleaned up great, well worth it.

[bcmillerkcco15]

@1911Ron Thanks for the advice!  I think I will use the original hardware, it'll take some work to get cleaned and polished, but otherwise it's in great shape. Plus I know it will all go back together without me having to fiddle with the 7444 sweep...plus I'm saving my money to use on some of @zavod44 custom wood handles.

[Shoestringshop]

Looks F-ing great. Like I said in the beginning it takes time but it looks great! Keep up the good great work!

[brewtownbeatdown]

@bcmillerkcco15. Never cover up man, you can't feel a thing!!!


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[bcmillerkcco15]

@brewtownbeatdown ...Hey-Oh!!!  👍

[bcmillerkcco15]

@Shoestringshop Thanks for all the advice from the beginning! 

[swamprb]

Kettle is clean, lots of razor blades, 0000, and simple green. Pretty amazing how good these things look after years and years of punishment. Next will be cleaning, polishing and reinstall the ash sweep. I was very fortunate that the thumb screw came out easily. The ash sweep handle was a chore, lots of soaking in WD40 and coaxing with a hammer and flathead screwdriver. I purchased a 7444 to replace the existing sweep and handle, but after looking at the originals I think they can be cleaned, polished and reused. Do you guys prefer to use the new 7444 modified or reinstall original equipment? 
As always, thanks for checking it out and offering advice.

Nice that you were able to reuse the One-Touch sweeps. I've not been able to do that with any of the ones I've restored.

Welcome to the "P" Club!

[bcmillerkcco15]

@swamprb Thanks!  I was really fortunate, the guy who posted this performer on Craigslist took great care of this thing. The biggest problems I've encountered so far are just years of grease and grime removal. But for 40 bucks, I'd say I hit the jackpot.....

[TheDude]

@bcmillerkcco15 nice performer, restore and tag line.

[bcmillerkcco15]

@TheDude I just need a rug to tie it all together....

[weldboy]

You've got that kettle looking like new! Great job and write up, I'll have to try that pencil trick on the vent.


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[bcmillerkcco15]

So....trucking right along SS Performer frame, broken down, cleaned, and sanded ready for primer.  I've been looking around, rustoleum has a line of spray paint labeled "hammered" it has a hammered finish, kind of looks like the dome lid finish on the Weber. I know the purists will have a fit, but I'm thinking it would make a nice match (in black of course) Or should I try to match the original gloss black?
While I think on that, I polished all the original hardware, still have several sessions before I'm done, but they are cleaning up nice for being original 93 model.
As always thanks for checking it out, and all input is greatly appreciated.