What's the best way to polish a kettle?

[ramsfan]

Anyone know the best way to polish and shine up an old kettle? Are there any recommended products or methods I can try? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Craig]

I use 0000 steel wool and it shines 'em up like brand new. Now if its super dirty, I wash it down first with a little bit of soap and water, then finish off with the 0000 wool. For the legs and vents, I've used Mothers Mag or Turtle Wax polishing compound.

[Duke]

I have never polished one, but have used triple zero steel wool that works really good. I also hear rubbing compound works well but have never tried it.

[bob hope]

I used the 0000 steel wool on the inside of the 26'er bowl I got and WOW it worked great!!!

[SmoothSmoke]

Simple green to get off the grime and oils.  Then 0000 wool. 

[HankB]

Jeff recommended Cerama Bryte Cooktop Cleaner and that is a good enough recommendation for me. I haven't tried it yet but have high hopes.

What about polishing up the aluminum bits like legs, ash catcher and wheels. I'd also like to know what to use to protect the aluminum parts that come in contact with ash as well.

For grease removal, Simple Green or Dawn is a good last step. I have used WD-40 first to soften the grease up so the degreasers work better.

If it is the greasy residue on the grates, I put them in a hot camp fire and burn them off then oil the grates to prevent rusting.

[Big B]

I use my wifes glass cooktop cleaner all the time, it works awesome. Cleans and Shines! all at once...I love it

I used the 0000 steel wool on the inside of the 26'er bowl I got and WOW it worked great!!!

Holy Crap, That is amazing....Nice Bob

Brent

[Bman]

When I got it -
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.
After using a paint stir stick to scrape the crap
.

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Sprayed with a commercial degreaser
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After scrubbing with a SOS pad and rinsing with water
.

[G]

If you are just trying to shine an already clean kettle, 0000 steel wool or polishing compound.  If more cleaning is involved, Ive had the best luck with a commercial degreaser, dish soap, and coarse steel wool.  Afterwards, I'll use a dull flathead screwdriver to remove the stubborn caked on stuff followed by a fine steel wool scrub for a good shine. 

[edhead35]

I have a performer blue with the plastic table I picked up recently, and the lid and bowl shined up nicely with 0000 Steel wool and water with dish soap as a lubricant and light degreaser. The plastic table was pretty badly stained brown, and a soft brush and dish soap wouldn't get it clean, so I used Bar Keeper's friend. This stuff works like a dream on the kitchen stove at removing burned on spills, and worked awesome on the plastic table. Be careful though, this stuff has a mild acid in it. It works wonders on breaking up surface rust, stains, and discoloration on stainless pots and pans. Put the powder on a slightly wet surface and scrub it in a little. Let it stand for 30 seconds to a minute and rinse off.

Not sure how it would fare on the Kettle finish, but it doesn't ruin the cheap finish on my kitchen stove. (white)