To restore, or to "ratstore"?

[G$]

My pal "with a K" picked up a red late model (P code) three wheeler for me a month ago, and I finally had a chance to get it from him.I knew it was in rough shape but could not pass it up.  The bottom vents have lost their rivets and are screwed in, handles are destroyed, the usual stuff.

However, the lid and bowl themselves are missing more porcelin than I hoped, and in fact the bowl was oval. (i think i have fixed that.)

Anyway, i strongly prefer to "restore"  the kettles I come across and keep them as original as possible.  But this one has me rethinking that.  I am considering "ratting" it out a bit with some color flair, etc.

Thoughts from the club?  This will be a kettle i do a fair bit of cooking on.  Should I restore it or rat it?

[pbe gummi bear]

It sounds like you would rather restore your kettles so maybe you should wait on it a bit. You could pick up another black kettle for 20 bucks and go nuts on it. If you feel like you want to still mod the red, then go for it!

[1buckie]

Racing Stripes?

Paint it your favorite color & not have to wait for one to show up here or CL /Ebay?

I have at least two old, beat reds I'm going to try hi-heat patching & some other Dr. Frankenstein stuff with..........

[Duke]

Ratstore! 

[G$]

Ratstore! 

I knew what YOUR answer was gonna be....

[Thin Blue Smoke]

Give it this paint job...

[Golly]

ratrod it

[dazzo]

I'm with Golly.

If you're going to use it, ratrod it.

[With a K]

Sorry.
"Bear down" G$.

[G$]

WTF K!   That idea is the one that came to me last night.  That is part of the reason  why I need some extra plastic handles - i am trying to source some BEAR DOWN decals that will fit the handle recesses.  In any case, the deal is set, it is going to not be a "rat rod", it is going to be a "Cat rod".

[G$]

And MUCHAS GRACIAS for picking the grill up AND destroying your Saturday night (or was it morning) to bring it to me.

[pbe gummi bear]

How about getting them etched into wood, G$?

[G$]

Oh Gummi, you are a bad man.

Of course I thought of this, and then thought "come on G$, this is a rat rod!  You can't soil Bhandles like that!"

But Do I recall Brian having replicas for the PLASTIC wheel inserts which are made in the sort of three dimmensional foam/plastic?  I know he has made thin stickers before, but I am going to potentially want some of the foam type whitewall which is thicker in both depth and also how wide it fits in the wheel.

[G$]

Anyone ever stained white oak with a navy blue tinted stain ....... ?

[kaz]

Before photos of the kettle?