Hello WKC. I'm a long time listener, but a first time caller. I have a bevy of Weber's that I purchased new at retail, but this is my very first restore. I have completed the Rescue step of RRR. I got an EO code (1995) red 22.5" Master-Touch from my father-in-law who was just going to throw it in the garbage. My goal is to keep it as close to stock as reasonably possible. I will be using this as a cooker, not a museum piece, as the WAF will go way up if this is cooking her dinner!
The bowl and lid are in pretty decent shape. The wheels, triangle, and legs are salvageable. As is the lid holder bail. The ash ring is serviceable. Cooking and charcoal grates are pretty rusted, so I will probably just buy new ones as I believe I can get those from Weber. Handles are not in very good shape. I will try to sand and stain those. If that doesn't work out, I understand at least 2 WKC members make replacement handles and I'll buy some from them. Was missing the lid thermometer, and it looks like I can get that from ereplacementparts.com. Was missing the leg cap which I can get from ereplacementparts.com. Also, was missing the ash bowl. But I have a DR code (2006) 22.5" OTG and I tried the ash bowl from that and it fits the old style ash ring, so I'll just buy an ash bowl from Weber or ereplacementparts.com.
Here are my problem parts:
The entire sweeper/cleaner assembly was missing. No blades, bolt, washer, handle, thumb screw... nothing. It doesn't look like Weber or ereplacementparts.com have them.
Thus, does anyone here know where I can get any/all of those parts?
Also, the ash ring support bar is very rusted and probably not usable. Doesn't look like Weber or ereplacementparts.com have them. I suppose I could buy some steel stock and cut, drill and bend it in the shape of the old one. I would rather not do all that.
So, does anyone know where I can get one of those?
Lastly, and much less important, is that the lid damper rivet is pretty rusted. I was thinking about drilling it out and replacing with a new bolt and nut. Looks like I can get the bolt and nut from ereplacementparts.com.
Anyone have experience with doing that? Is it worth it? Or should I just sand off as much rust as possible and leave the original rivet in place? I'm on the fence about this fix.
Thanks in advance!
Here are the before glamour shots:
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/03/22/DSC_5961.md.jpg)
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/03/22/DSC_5964.md.jpg)
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/03/22/DSC_5962.md.jpg)
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/03/22/DSC_5963.md.jpg)
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/03/22/DSC_5967.md.jpg)
Had some technical issues with posting pics there at the beginning. Mostly got it ironed out now. But still have no idea how to get that first picture rotated correctly!
:-[
I have one very similar to that that I was lucky enough to get in grate condition from another member. Ereplacementparts.com should have any replacement parts you need. Someone else here might have a direct link for this particular year. I am sure someone else will chime in with cleaning tips. There are lots of great references on the board in regards to removing rust and overall cleaning.
@LicenseToGrill - I might have a cross bar for the ash catcher for you. I'll look for it this evening and let you know.
I think you could just hit that cross bar with evaporust and you will be good to go. Definitely get a few new handles from Zavod or redo your originals. It will make it pop.
If you check out "Grill Restoration Guides" on the right hand side of the page on the homepage it will get you going.
I believe all those parts are available though.
Welcome
"Lastly, and much less important, is that the lid damper rivet is pretty rusted. I was thinking about drilling it out and replacing with a new bolt and nut."
Don't do this. This kind of rivet doesn't polish up well though like the older ones, so just hit it with some sand paper and then hit the vent with some metal polish. It won't be this shiny, but it will be nice. I guess you could tape it off and hit it with a little black or silver high temp paint if you wanted... The rivet I mean.
On the handles if you want to keep the originals, just sand them with 220 to 500 grit, maybe hit them with a coat of stain or don't, and then hit them with three or four coats of spar varnish or spar urethane. If you have to fill any cracks, just mix wood glue with sawdust from sanding and then clamp if needed and then obviously sand.
(http://i.imgur.com/zl7j5eS.jpg)
Welcome. That MT is in really good shape. Buy the new H style sweeps Weber 7444 and you have several options. Hose clamps, fabricate brackets like the new style rings have, or use your existing cross bar and install the new sweeps without the washer. All of these have been done by members here, you can find the threads using the search feature. Sand the handles and you have options there also. Stain, oil, spar.
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I have had very good luck with ordering direct from Weber. The charge a flat 7 bucks for shipping and after they tell me the total price I always ask for a discount and the usually will knock the price down. Worth a shot in my opinion.
Sounds like the fella's have you pointed in the right direction. Very nice lookin cooker. Hello and Welcome
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First, thanks for the friendly welcome from everyone. Also, thanks for the feedback. I will be taking all of it into consideration. Good stuff.
@MikeRocksTheRed That would be great! Let me know what you find.
If that doesn't pan out, then I may give the Evapo-Rust a try. I'm just concerned after all the rust is gone there might not be enough metal left to support the ash catcher.
And if that literally falls apart... So far I haven't been able to locate the support bar on ereplacementparts.com. It's there in the schematics, but not listed below with the parts to buy.
Consequently, if anyone here has found them at at ereplacementparts.com before (or somewhere else online), I would really appreciate a direct link.
Thanks again!
@LicenseToGrill - I found my ash bar. It has some surface rust but is still very solid. I'll post some pics of it in a minute from my phone. Also, check with
@zavod44, he made some new ones and was selling them a few years ago. I'm not sure if he still has any left or can make more of them.
Here are some pics. Like I said the rust is on the surface and it's still very solid. I can give it a quick clean up later so you can see that it's in good shape. Let me know if you want it. It's yours for the cost of shipping.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170323/6ac4bb5c889e501a6de59fe24e971f4f.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170323/652e0db2f894f54580ea4576ab34837e.jpg)
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@LicenseToGrill- I have a set of used, older #7409 ash sweeps. If you decide to go with restoring it using the crossbar and need the ash sweeps, send me a PM. They have a little surface rust but will probably last another 25 years. They have already been cleaned with a wire brush and steel wool.
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/03/23/DSC03239.md.jpg)
As you can see, the metal on the underneath side of the blades is still in great shape.
(http://pics.weberkettleclub.com/images/2017/03/23/DSC03240.md.jpg)
@MikeRocksTheRed Thanks, I'll let you know. First, I'm going to try throwing mine in some Evapo-Rust and see the result. May or may not be enough bar left.
@Cellar2ful Thank you as well for the offer. I will also let you know if I decide to go the pre-owned route.
I figured this was the right place to get help for this restoration. And you all didn't disappoint!
Shout out to
@Cellar2ful for sending me a gently used old style ash sweep assembly for just the cost of shipping. Incredibly nice of him to help me out.
Gonna take some time to finish the restore, as I'm super busy lately. But I will be sure to post the "after" pics when I get done.
I hear food cooks faster on a red grill. Looking forward to it!
Quote from: MikeRocksTheRed on March 23, 2017, 08:11:51 AM
@LicenseToGrill - I found my ash bar. It has some surface rust but is still very solid. I'll post some pics of it in a minute from my phone. Also, check with @zavod44, he made some new ones and was selling them a few years ago. I'm not sure if he still has any left or can make more of them.
I bought two of these new ash bars from someone a few years ago that had them made. I believe it was him. I don't know what I did with them though. I'm sure they are around here somewhere. I do still have the original ash bar off of my 95 Performer that may be serviceable. I was able to get a new Weber one when I was restoring this grill back in 2009.
Mike and Jim are awesome guys!! "Food cooks faster on a red" is an old grillers tale, food TASTES BETTER on a red grill is more like it!...LOL. WELCOME and have fun with that red head!
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Very slow going on the restore because I don't have much free time these days, but I'm getting there.
My next question is where do you guys find the replacement leg caps for the end of the middle leg? I see them on eReplacementparts.com for $5.70 EACH not including shipping. That seems pretty steep for a single 10 cent plastic cap. Not that I'm a cheap skate, but that seems out of line price wise. I've had no luck finding something that looks similar at my local Home Depot or Ace Hardware. Any other ideas on stores where I can find some (online or brick and mortar)?
Thanks.
I kust rewrote a post on mod for 7444 ash sweeps to work with ash catcher bar with sketch of the mod in the thread.
You can fab a replacement ash catcher bar if you have the original as a template to work from.
Aluminum stock bar for raw materials is available at hdepot in the angle iron aisle. I made 2 ash catcher bars from 1 A stock bar. Helpful to have clamps and hole saw bit set
Hey that thing has great bones! It should clean up NICE!
Quote from: LicenseToGrill on June 16, 2017, 08:39:17 AM
Very slow going on the restore because I don't have much free time these days, but I'm getting there.
My next question is where do you guys find the replacement leg caps for the end of the middle leg? I see them on eReplacementparts.com for $5.70 EACH not including shipping. That seems pretty steep for a single 10 cent plastic cap. Not that I'm a cheap skate, but that seems out of line price wise. I've had no luck finding something that looks similar at my local Home Depot or Ace Hardware. Any other ideas on stores where I can find some (online or brick and mortar)?
Thanks.
Here you go.
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/white-leg-tips-at-home-depot/
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Ace hardware carries them. Part# 56920.
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1286863
Perfect, now I know they do exist in the wild. I will be running to other Home Depot's and Ace's in the area. Hopefully one of them will have the caps in stock. The two I went to didn't. It is such a hit or miss game with the big box stores. >:(
Thanks!
@LicenseToGrill - Rather than run all around town looking for them, you can check what Ace stores have them in stock with the link I posted. Look for the "Check Availability" tab.
@Cellar2ful - I noticed the button to do that on the Ace website after I posted my reply above. So yep, I'll just be running to one Ace. Thanks again!
Leg cap = done. :)
Hopefully this should be the last road block. I am in need of the somewhat older (maybe a few years old) ash catcher pan for use with my 1995 ash catcher ring. I ordered one from eReplacementParts.com but what came was NOT what was pictured on the web site. The picture was of the somewhat older model. What they sent was the brand new model. I'm sure as no surprise to everyone here, but the new style ash catcher pan does not fit in the the older style ash catcher ring.
So, my question to the forum is where have folks found the older style ash catcher pan for sale? Again just the previous model to the current model, so not very old.
My preference is to purchase a new ash catcher pan. I am aware of the threads about modifying newer ash catcher rings to fit on the older grill, but I really want to keep my original ash catcher ring.
Thanks in advance!
@LicenseToGrill - Are you going for a true restore of just trying to make the grill usable? If you check your PM's I'm in Denver this week and brought the ash ring crossbar with me that I've been promising you. However, if you aren't able to find an older ash pan, you could always get the new ash ring and catcher and install that. It won't clip onto the legs like it would a new grill, but with a few easy modification options it works just fine. Also, since I have been in Denver, I have seen all kinds of crazy deals on grills. You might be able to pick up a grill with an older style ash catcher fairly cheap.
Here is the link to my ash catcher upgrade/modification. (http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/2015-ash-catcher-on-ss-performer-mod/) Mine is a permanent way of doing it. Some people are doing it in less permanent ways like using hose clamps or trimming the leg tabs so that the do clip in. FYI - I you look at the pics in my ash catcher mod, that is the cross bar I have for you, but it was soaked in CLR and is in much better shape than that picture makes it look.