Advice on restoring wooden handles

[VAis4BBQers]

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

[zavod44]

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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[zavod44]

Also do you have an original wood handle WSM I know those are very sought after....

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[VAis4BBQers]

@zavod44 yes it's a recent pickup. No date code but owner said he had it around 15 years.


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[zavod44]

More like 30 years

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[zavod44]

Does it have a vent code?

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[VAis4BBQers]

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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[MikeRocksTheRed]

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. 

[VAis4BBQers]

Cool, that's good to know. I want to keep looking as original as possible.


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[Vwbuggin64]

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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[Harbormaster]

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.

[Harleysmoker]

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

[zavod44]

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....

[Harleysmoker]

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.

[1ROW]

I've found that after a thorough sanding old handles look really nice with a few simple coats of spar varnish.

Before


After