As I mentioned when I started this thread, this was a CL freebee. My original intent was to clean this kettle up and resell it on CL. After talking with the woman that gave it away and hearing her disappointment that her son did not want the Weber, I decided to keep it. I sent her pictures of the finished restoration and here's her response I received last night:
"Jim, you really like Webers! I owned the blue Weber for 20-25 years and taught my son how to bar-b-que on it (he's now 29). It makes me happy to see it refurbished and know it has a good home. Thanks so much for sharing the photos!" Marcie
Interesting how a Weber can spread happiness in so many ways.
@Travis - The handles are high figured cedar by Brian (Zav). I am working on a "family" picture of my kettles.
@greenweb - It is not that hard to get the legs looking like this. The legs took about 3 hours total. It is a 5 step process. Sand with coarse, then medium, fine, #0000 steel wool and finish with Mother's aluminum and mag polish. I am waiting delivery on a new polishing product that
@zavod44 recommended. It is a commercial aircraft aluminum polish - Rolite Supra 90. Brian says it cuts the polish time way down.