Agreed that once you start oiling you're somewhat committed to that approach. The parts you've cleaned so far look strong and better for it. And you seem a competent fellow who values discretion being the better part of valor. Of course the lower parts will be weakest but you've got my blessing/support to "go to town" on the top and outward-facing parts and to use your best judgment on the rest.
Good luck.
Looks like great progress! I was able to get to the rust starting with an angle grinder with a wire wheel, then switched to a drill and wire end brush to hit the tough to reach spots and finished up with a die grinder for the toughest spots. I avoided the chemical solutions, but media blasting would certainly get it all.Had some good fortune! The bolts came right off with a wrench!
Got most of the outside with the steel wheel. The legs are a mess and I'm willing to bet the bolts for the wheels are just as loose.
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I'm gonna think on how to go about the inside tonight I might try something less powerful like a chucked steel wheel in a screw gun. It seems like to much rust to simply heat up oil and be done so I want to try and get as much off before trying that. I think I'll want to prime and paint before involving any oil so I don't mess up the paint prep with it
How about cleaning the outside before priming? Acetone or alcohol?
I'm actually amazed at the improvement so far and can't wait to have this bad boy fired up blowin smoke!!!
Thanks
Looks like great progress! I was able to get to the rust starting with an angle grinder with a wire wheel, then switched to a drill and wire end brush to hit the tough to reach spots and finished up with a die grinder for the toughest spots. I avoided the chemical solutions, but media blasting would certainly get it all.
I’m no help on the paint, I oiled the outside of my project. The part for the firebox is typically just a piece of expanded metal cut to size.I went at the inside of the cooker just the top half and sides and it wasnt anywhere near as bad as I thought.
As for the bottoms of both the cooker and the firebox they are right clean them out. The previous owner was even using the cooker for grilling but not too bad. They never cleaned it out but it doesnt appear as old as I had thought. \
Suggestions for curing the primer and paint?
Also looking for ideas on a charcoal box or something to keep the wood off the bottom of the firebox as the grates were toast and got tossed in the trash?
Thanks everyone!
I plan to get back at it tomorrow. Go Chiefs!
Expanded metal is perfect but can get pricey. If you get a lead on some that is a little larger grid than you prefer, you can stagger two pieces together to make a smaller opening and keep your coals from falling through too soon. Hog rings work well for joining. Or just cheap "hardware cloth" can be set on top of a too-coarse-grid option and replaced each half dozen cooks....Also looking for ideas on a charcoal box or something to keep the wood off the bottom of the firebox as the grates were toast and got tossed in the trash?
Expanded metal is perfect but can get pricey. If you get a lead on some that is a little larger grid than you prefer, you can stagger two pieces together to make a smaller opening and keep your coals from falling through too soon. Hog rings work well for joining. Or just cheap "hardware cloth" can be set on top of a too-coarse-grid option and replaced each half dozen cooks.
Note some expanded steel is galvanized and hot coals will defnitely oxidize the zinc. Many worry about that in their food so you might want to intentionally remove it in a hot fire beforehand and wirebrush afterwards. With mask.
Sometimes old cooking grids from another cast-off unit can be cut to fit. Another (painful?) option is to re-purpose the outside shelves for charcoal grates and use some varnished wood for shelves?
Are you only going to put fire in the firebox, so you only need a small piece, or do you want the option of putting direct heat in the cooking chamber like a conventional charcoal grill, which requires a much larger piece. Do you need need new racks for your meat as well?