UPDATE:
So, I am in the process of restoration. There was only one vent left on the bottom of the kettle, and after clearing away the grime, saw it is an N code. 1991? According to the Ranch Kettle History, the new style of RK came out in 1992. Regardless, this is probably the first year of the new style RK. I had been trying to get the bowl off the frame since Wednesday night, and no amount of WD40 rust penetrant and my brute force could pry off any of the rusted on bolts. The amount of rust on this one is surprising to me. My only thought is that being in Tustin, CA, it had too much exposure to ocean breezes?
So, this morning I went to Harbor Freight and bought an angle grinder with a 4.5 inch cutting blade. 10 minutes later, those bleeping bolts were gone.
SADLY, I cut a SMALL hole in the kettle near one of the bolts. CRAP. Not bad, and it is where the bowl is snug up to the frame, but CRAP.
Finally, I used a rubber mallet to bang the one handle back into pretty good shape per fedex's suggestion.
So, now I cleaned up the bottom vent, used 0000 steel wool and dish soap to clean the bowl and lid.
Finally, I started using a wire brush attachment for my drill to clean the lid bale.
Now...here's my question:
Can I repaint both the bowl and kettle? I saw someone recently used 2000 degree paint on a kettle. Would that work OK on the bowl? There's a couple pretty extensive areas of rust I'd like to protect long term.
Finally, just out of curiosity, any idea why the rust makes raised "pimples"? Just curious.