Is this old Weber Redhead worth restoring? (pron)

[smokeyw]

I found this old Weber on CL and bought it for $20. I knew at the very least the lid would work on a UDS. However, this thing is very old and I have been thinking about restoring it. There is no date code on the Daisy wheel and only says patent pending (no patent number). It was made in Arlington Heights Illinois. It has numerous chips in the porcelain and the bottom Daisy wheels are inoperable and need replacing. However, there is hardly any rust on the kettle or lid. Someone has done a poor touchup job on the chipped areas as witnessed by the overspray on the Daisy wheel. It has rubber wheels. Is this thing worth restoring? I would appreciate any advice on how to proceed if it is. Can I paint over the porcelain?
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh112/smokeyws/Old%20Weber/OldWeber015.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh112/smokeyws/Old%20Weber/OldWeber014.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh112/smokeyws/Old%20Weber/OldWeber010.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh112/smokeyws/Old%20Weber/OldWeber017.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh112/smokeyws/Old%20Weber/OldWeber007.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh112/smokeyws/Old%20Weber/OldWeber016.jpg

[nolesfan954]

That looks exactly like my Dad's Weber--he won his in a grocery store contest 50 years ago and is still in full working order. I used it July 4th for their big cookout and it worked great! I'm not sure of the value, but I have to believe that a restoration would the route to take. OK, I'm an archivist in my day job, so preservation is my bias. Good looking Weber, great find.
Richard

[stephan]

Even if you dont restore it. It looks very serviceable as is

[deepsouth]

it doesn't look far from usable, if it's not already. i'd fix it up.

[bigabyte]

Great find! Pick it up, it will be well worth the restore.

[N8man]

Score!!!

[rookiedad]

in my oppinion it's already restored! fire that baby up!

[NeoTrout]

Nice score. :icon_cool

[DaveMW]

I would appreciate any advice on how to proceed if it is. Can I paint over the porcelain?


I'd say it's worth it. Here is a link to my restoration. Toward the end of teh thread I go through the things I did right and those things that I wouldn't do again in teh restoration process. Reach out if you have any questions, I'd be glad to help share any info. http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89922

[KnucklHed BBQ]

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh112/smokeyws/Old%20Weber/OldWeber017.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh112/smokeyws/Old%20Weber/OldWeber007.jpg



I've got one that would appear to be a little bit newer (still pre 79 - no stamp) that isn't in as good of shape as yours... I'd def restore it!

My upper vent hole has a patent # stamped in it whereas yours says Pat Pending, that would tell me yours is older.

As for those lower vent wheels - mine were in even worse shape, totally turned inside out.

If you find it too big of a PITA to straighten those, call weber replacement parts and tell them you need the lower vents off of the 22.5 WSM (18.5 are different). They cost about $6.50 for the 3 + the hardware... the person that helped me told me that freight was gonna cost more than the parts, so she would send them out at No Charge... crazy!! a 32+ y/o kettle and I get free parts and free shipping! AWESOME CS!!

As for the upper vent, I would just clean it up with steel wool, the newupper vent replacement has larger holes than the old ones like yours... plus it's kinda cool to have the proof that it's been around for a while! :thumb:


Edit: Ooo! I just noticed that you have the old style charcoal holders on the lower grate too! Nice! Mine also had them!

[Callahan-que]

Nice score. Maybe get a new cooking grate for it.

[swamprb]

The paint overspray on the vent is a dead giveaway that someone had attempted to restore it.

First thing I would do is to cut off the 2 rivets on the lid handle and get a replacement from Weber. You will need to drill a hole in the center of the handle for the new one.

Not knowing if the previous owner used High Temp paint or not, it looks like there is a lot of overspray that can be removed with fine steel wool. After that rubbing compound and elbow grease will bring back some of the luster.

Personally, I wouldn't spend much time repainting the bowl, as the paints I've used usually burn off and turn black.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_3478.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_3773.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_3772.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_3776.jpg

Granted, they are not going to look showroom new condition, but you just want to cover the bare metal to stop the area from rusting and oxidizing the porcelain finish-which when it streaks down the lid is virtually unable to remove.

Take this one for example.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_3777.jpg

Most, but not all of the Red kettles are a perfect match for the Dupli-Color Engine paint I use, some were left out in direct sun and became a lighter shade.

But hey-they don't make the bright Redheads anymore, and from a short distance you can't tell its been painted anyway. Besides, Redheads have skills!

‪Weber Vintage TV Commercial- Weber Grilling‬‏ - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amR6Ee9QQf4)

[redvert05]

You bet its worth it.....The one I did I got for $15 and it was in ALOT worse shape than that with rust that needed attention and holes in the lower bowl. She's been cooking like a champ since the Resto and is my goto for the Weber Roto I bought.

Good thing you got it, you won't regret it! They look cool as crap on the deck with all the black Weber "cousins"!

Here is a link to my restore and also the finished product:

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108280

[smokeyw]

Thanks for the information. I have it all apart now and the overspray does come right off with some fine steel wool. Which Dupli-Color red did you use? I see two that look to be about the same shade. One is DE1653 and the other is DE1605.

The paint overspray on the vent is a dead giveaway that someone had attempted to restore it.

First thing I would do is to cut off the 2 rivets on the lid handle and get a replacement from Weber. You will need to drill a hole in the center of the handle for the new one.

Not knowing if the previous owner used High Temp paint or not, it looks like there is a lot of overspray that can be removed with fine steel wool. After that rubbing compound and elbow grease will bring back some of the luster.

Most, but not all of the Red kettles are a perfect match for the Dupli-Color Engine paint I use, some were left out in direct sun and became a lighter shade.

[caseydog]

I disagree. It is totally worthless, IMHO. Send it to me, and I will dispose of it properly.

CD

[smokeyw]

Man, that thing looks great now!! Did you paint the whole thing?

You bet its worth it.....The one I did I got for $15 and it was in ALOT worse shape than that with rust that needed attention and holes in the lower bowl. She's been cooking like a champ since the Resto and is my goto for the Weber Roto I bought.

Good thing you got it, you won't regret it! They look cool as crap on the deck with all the black Weber "cousins"!

Here is a link to my restore and also the finished product:

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108280

[smokeyw]

Thanks for the link. There is a lot of good info there. I'm trying to find out which shade of Dupli-Color red everyone uses now. I have already got it completely disassembled. It is amazing what a little fine steel wool and elbow grease will do.

I'd say it's worth it. Here is a link to my restoration. Toward the end of teh thread I go through the things I did right and those things that I wouldn't do again in teh restoration process. Reach out if you have any questions, I'd be glad to help share any info. http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89922

[deguerre]

It's a trick question...I just know it.:becky:

[swamprb]

Thanks for the information. I have it all apart now and the overspray does come right off with some fine steel wool. Which Dupli-Color red did you use? I see two that look to be about the same shade. One is DE1653 and the other is DE1605.

DE1653 RED is the closest match and I've repainted about a dozen kettles and painted a couple Drums to match the lids.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/IMG_3184.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/100_2282.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_0132.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/Weber/IMG_0223.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/CajunBandit/IMG_2095.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/swamprb/Ugly%20Drum%20Smoker/CajunBandit/IMG_2104.jpg

I used to use Meguiars Mirror Glaze #7 to shiny them up, but rubbing compound works just as well. The repainted patches will dull, but like I said, I'm just trying to cover the rust.

[redvert05]

Man, that thing looks great now!! Did you paint the whole thing?

Thanks! I spot sprayed the lid "blemishes" and lip, the rubbed the rest of the lid out with polishing compound. I did spray the entire bowl as it was sooooooo bad on the exterior. It looks 100% better, but as Swamp mentioned, even the high temp paint will scorch where the coals lay near it and will darken or blacken over time. But, I am ok with that as it adds character to her and I did not have much of a choice on mine. If you can spot touch up the base and polish the rest on yours, I would rather than spray the entire thing.

Terry

[Redhot]

Readheads are always worth it!:wink: Great score!

[smokeyw]

Thanks for all the input. I have decided to restore this old classic. I have already disassembled it and begun cleaning everything up. It's amazing what a little elbow grease will do. I will post new pictures when completed.

[bbqbandit70]

Looks great happy grilling