Clean up??? or leave as is

[BillA from CA]

Some steel corrosion products are hydroscopic; they absorb and hold moisture, which further supports on-going corrosion.  Unless you are planning to store this in a dry, controlled environment I would clean it to bare metal and consider coating it. If you don't want to paint it at least consider using a water repellent, transparent, silicone-based product.  I have had good luck using ICE silicone-based automotive finish polish.  After many grilling sessions after my lid was exposed to temperatures above 400 deg F the lid continues to repel water after I put ICE on it several weeks ago.

[Bob BQ]

consider coating it.

This ^. I've used Rustoleum 500° Clear Enamel spray paint on several triangles and older SJ legs that I've cleaned up. Looks good, and should prevent further rust.

[addicted-to-smoke]

YES, rust truly does "never sleep." Clean, polish, protect as harris92 said.


What can he do about the pitting and the tiny holes?

Is there something that can fill them in, smoothly, AND still resist sparks or dropped charcoal?

In a kettle bowl I'd be inclined to patch a tiny hole or two with a dab of J-B Weld.

[AZ Monsoon]

Agreed. Evaporust is fantastic. I wouldn't clear coat it, paint etc...

Go easy on the Evaporust. You can always put the part in for longer. I forgot about a triangle and left it submerged for two or three days.... Didn't turn out well

Sent from my VS987 using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

[MrHoss]

Listen to whatever Harris says....pretty much always.

[Lowbrass]

In a kettle bowl I'd be inclined to patch a tiny hole or two with a dab of J-B Weld.

I have a kettle with two tiny pin holes in it.  Would the JB Weld work for those?  Does it stand up to heat?


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[MacEggs]

In a kettle bowl I'd be inclined to patch a tiny hole or two with a dab of J-B Weld.

I have a kettle with two tiny pin holes in it.  Would the JB Weld work for those?  Does it stand up to heat?

I have used the high-temp JB weld on the bowl for a kettle restore.  Still holding up after 4 years.
However, I don't use that kettle much anymore, but I used it a lot after the restore.  Held up rather nicely.

[Hell Fire Grill]

I'd soap & water wash it and let it keep ITs character. They dont all need to look new again IMO.

[JDD]

I would clean it as much as possible without destroying it. You need to control the rust from further damage.

[cbpeck]

@harris92 - I recently used evaporust for the first time on a set of lug nuts. Amazing stuff. Never used it on a kettle, but when I saw that rusty ash pan it was my first thought. Highly recommended.