My Blue SS ---- Part II

[Bman]

It all started with this thread where I attended my first estate sale and scored my first SS
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/blue-ss-and-a-few-questions/msg31469/#msg31469

It's been a slow going, but I finally hit it hard over the past 2 weekends.  Igniter just needed a healthy cleaning (with some Evapo-Rust help) and she fires up like a champ. The frame needed some help.  It wasn't past the point of no return, but it was caught just in time.
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And this is where I pretty much said ta-hell with the camera.
But, I did snap this pic of the tank support after the paint dried.  Yeah, I shot the entire grill with gloss black.
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Jump ahead to the 99% done photo (still have the tool holders to snap in, but want the paint to cure first)

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Yeah, I still have some of the '98 SS protective wrap to remove.   
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I polished the ash ring as it used to look like the pot.  (I'm going to paint the pot blue close to the kettle color)
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Here she is at home with most of the family in Bman's Gadial Ganing
Thread here - http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/off-topic/bman's-gadial-gaining/msg36791/#msg36791
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[Bman]

I also tried my hand at making a few handles.  To anyone thinking of making their own, I have a word of advice.  Don't....
Just order them from Brian.  I've been a wood worker my entire life, but Mr. Zavod I am not.  I'm working on a count (and blanks) and he'll be my handle guy!
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Top one is Hickory and the other 3 are Cherry with different stains.  Eff that, I'm ordering from now on. 
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[landgraftj]

Wow that one sure is pretty! How did you get the ash pan to look brand new?

[G]

That ring/ash bucket looks brand new....nice work.  You can get a shiny replacement handle for the ash bucket for a few bucks. 

[mike.stavlund]

Incredible work, Chad.  That thing really shines!

And wow, what a lineup.  For a guy who is into the blues, you suddenly have a bunch of reds!  ;-)

You should charge admission to your ganing. 

[pbe gummi bear]

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I polished the ash ring as it used to look like the pot.  (I'm going to paint the pot blue close to the kettle color)
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I saw that pic and I literally said "Holy sh!t" out loud. That polish job is incredible. So is the rest of your rebuild!

[1911Ron]

That turned out real nice!

[mike.stavlund]

Srsly, Chad, how did you shine up that ring so well?  Do tell!

[Bman]

Thanks fellas. 

Ol' school technique for the ash ring.  Started with 150 grit sandpaper (dry) to remove the oxidation.  Then moved to 220, 320, 420, and 0000 steel wool, and finished it off with the Mothers Mag stuff everyone has been yappin about.  Honestly, I don't notice much of a difference between the 0000 finish and the Mag polish finish.

I've got a list of misc crap to order from Weber, and a new pot handle is one of them. 
So maybe I'm not at 99% done just yet...  lol

[mike.stavlund]

I think a lot of us are using Mother's Mag to remove oxidation.  You got the oxidation off with pure mechanics, zero chemicals. 

Really incredible restoration, Chad.  Thanks for sharing your secrets.