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Author Topic: 70's MBH readhead restoration.  (Read 4050 times)

5280Jeff

  • WKC Brave
  • Posts: 457
70's MBH readhead restoration.
« on: February 18, 2014, 10:37:15 AM »
I got started on my readhead last weekend. Started with a lid and bowl clean up. After a lot of work with a wire brush, putty knife, and finally a wire wheel on my drill I wiped them down with krud Kutter at full strength. The bowl still had a bit of a grease film in it so both the bowl and the lid were left to soak with oven/grill cleaner for about 20 min. I rinsed both out with a couple of buckets of hot water and finished with a garden hose. I'm really happy with the results, for being 35 years old it cleaned up amazingly well. I forgot who posted the tip on using trash cans for kettle holders, but myself and my back thank you very much!













Next up possibly TIG weld the handle or stainless fasteners.

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AZ_MIKEY

  • WKC Ranger
  • Posts: 759
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2014, 10:47:20 AM »
Looking good. I am going to have to use trash cans next time I clean all the kettles that is a great idea. That way I can move the next day.
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Jeff

  • WKC Performer
  • Posts: 4839
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2014, 10:56:17 AM »
I bet it wasn't as easy to clean those up as it looked!  You should put some before pictures showing the outside of the lid and bowl too.  Especially if you plan to document from beginning to end in this thread.  You're off to a good start.
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Kettle collector AND cooker!

G

  • WKC Ranger
  • Posts: 1586
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2014, 12:01:21 PM »
Nice start....consider trying a razor scraper from HD or other hardware store.  They work very well.  May have to try ther trash can idea. 
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Winz

  • WKC Ranger
  • Posts: 1714
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2014, 05:51:19 PM »
Wow - nice job!  Looks like new.  Keep the pics coming

Winz
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In an ongoing relationship with a kettle named Bisbee.

tattooedant

  • WKC Ranger
  • Posts: 766
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2014, 06:40:33 PM »
I really miss working outside  :'( ...when is it gonna be spring?!
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glrasmussen

  • WKC Performer
  • Posts: 3275
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2014, 06:59:48 PM »
^^^ What Tattoo said ^^^ Been a long winter... Miss the 0000 final clean.
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Craig

  • WKC Mod
  • Posts: 11004
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2014, 07:02:14 PM »
Quote from: glrasmussen on February 18, 2014, 06:59:48 PM
^^^ What Tattoo said ^^^ Been a long winter... Miss the 0000 final clean.

Amen!

Nice looking redhead!
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saxart

  • WKC Ranger
  • Posts: 934
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2014, 07:49:45 PM »
Funny..  It was 45deg here today, so I was outside after work with a bucket of hot soapy water cleaning out the SJP after a chicken cook Sunday night.
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Interested in ANY offset handle SJs you may have.

5280Jeff

  • WKC Brave
  • Posts: 457
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2014, 11:33:59 AM »
All of the replacement parts have arrived, new handle (thank you Brian), correct ash pan (thank you Stu), and new wheels off Amazon. I also have a new charcoal grate ordered. The original grate is rusted and warped beyond repair. Here is a couple of lid pics ready for a weld.







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pbe gummi bear

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  • Posts: 9059
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2014, 11:38:52 AM »
Keep up the good work!
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Jeff

  • WKC Performer
  • Posts: 4839
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2014, 11:47:48 AM »
Looking good so far! 
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Kettle collector AND cooker!

MacEggs

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  • Posts: 3477
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2014, 01:43:04 PM »
I am very interested as to how this turns out ... the welding, that is.
Man, I truly love the look of the orange peel paint on the older kettles.

Everything looks great, so far!  :) :)
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Craig

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  • Posts: 11004
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2014, 03:14:03 PM »
Looks great so far! Can't wait until the finish!
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5280Jeff

  • WKC Brave
  • Posts: 457
Re: 70's MBH readhead restoration.
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2014, 01:14:53 PM »
Picked up the lid from my buddy with the handle welded on. He got pretty aggressive with the welding and the grinder but it was a free weld job so no complaints from me. Now with as much painting as it will take to cover the welds and the other damaged coating I've decided to paint the entire kettle. Today I removed all of the vents and started the prep for painting. I'm going to use VHTs very high temperature ceramic coating white header paint as a base coat. VHT claims this will withstand 1300-2000 degrees. VHT also makes a red caliper paint rated at 900 degrees to finish. VHT recommends baking at 400 degrees between coats for proper curing which won't be a problem with a kettle for sure. If anything we are going to find out how well VHTs high heat paint can be used to restore a redhead.

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