This one has been a lot of work.

[G$]

This one has been a lot of work and I am not sure how much more patience I have left in me.

Before:



After:


I am debating the bottom vents right now. I typically tend toward keeping original if they are still attached.  These are not going to get a lot cleaner...but neither is the kettle.  I think they will be staying as is.  I have formed them as best I can and they spin a little too freely, but I would rather not remove and replace them.

Before:


After:


That vent has actually been polished.  It does not want to shine.

The grates are beyond rescue:


Just need a handle and maybe one more go at a scrub, and it will be all set.

[landgraftj]

Didn't clean up too badly. And its a cado! Nice job so far Gerd.

[Duke]

Nice job Gerd, and if you ever decide to pass it on I am interested.

[G$]

The triangle and legs are in sound structural shape, but are stained, especially where the bailing wire has been for years (and years and years).  The legs work fine so I am not sure why the previous owners used the wire.  I have given the triangle and legs a clean and polish, but more could be done.....

And the wheels.  Ah the wheels, they almost make this thing worth it.  It is a PAT PENDING, but the wheels on this guy are the plastic wheels with rubber treads.  Fortunately all plastic is intact, and the rubber has only minor spots of minimal cracking.  Whitewalls are faded, but not gone. 

Before:



After:

[jcnaz]

Looks much better!

If it refuses to cooperate just tell it that I will take it back where I found it!

[G$]

If it refuses to cooperate just tell it that I will take it back where I found it!

 

I have been cursing you repeatedly today JC, and now you want me threatening this poor grill!  What did those people do to this?!

[AZ_MIKEY]

If it refuses to cooperate just tell it that I will take it back where I found it!

 

I have been cursing you repeatedly today JC, and now you want me threatening this poor grill!  What did those people do to this?!

That kettle looks so much better. Glad to see it is coming along. Knowing the area where this kettle came from Gerd you don't want to know what they done to it! It will need a lot of therapy... examples---> cleaning and great cooking sessions are the doctors orders!

[jcnaz]

You can take the grill out of the Junction, but can you take the Junction out of the grill?

[With a K]

Whew! When I saw the title I thought you were referring to the brownie, which didn't seem that bad. Keep massaging that tired gal back into shape, buddy!

[Jeff]

I think you did a great job from what you had to work with!!!  Its a fine rescue...now go buy some new grates and a big steak!

[Chasing_smoke]

I think it cleaned up great! It looks like it fought you the whole way. When you fire it up the first cook will make the work worth it!


 "my kettle is more powerful it will do almost anything."

[Duke]

Let's have a look at that cool charcoal caddy. 

[Mmmmm]

I have a trucking background and truckers use "aluminum brightener" which is an acid of some sort to clean up stained aluminum and make it look brighter. It works well to get the pores in the aluminum clean prior to polishing. It foams when it comes in contact with wet aluminum.

I have wondered if it would work well on these grill restoration projects. Only thing I would warn about is don't let it dry before rinsing and on something like a vent use a lot of water to make sure all of the acid is rinsed from underneath the vent.

You can buy it at NAPA in a squirt bottle.

[G$]

Let's have a look at that cool charcoal caddy. 

I had talked about getting it in post ten of this thread:
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/so-many-questions/msg56697/#msg56697

And for what it is worth, Now that i have used it, I love the caddy, and would definitely get more if I found them.

 

Nice job Gerd, and if you ever decide to pass it on I am interested.

Lets talk.  Do you have what I am looking for?