I bought an old Kampkook model 3 on ebay that has a lot of surface rust that I plan to restore. I was pleased that it fired up with only soaking the pump leather in oil, but want to make it look better and stop the decay. Is it better to paint over it? Sand it down? Paint thinner? Also I found high heat paint, but do I need to apply a primer first? And anyone know of a place or site to find replacement logos? Any help, advice, or opinion is greatly appreciated. Andy
Those burner flames look perfect! Restoring the box can be done a number of ways. Prepping it for paint is a personal preference. Sanding, wire wheel, electrolysis, paint stripper all have advantages. You can search here or the net for removing paint on sheet metal. Once old paint is removed to your satisfaction you need to prep the metal by cleaning it and allowing it to properly dry. Paint does not necessarily need to be high heat as the case probably never gets very hot. Some rattle can spray paints require primers, others do not. Directions on the can will tell you. Primer is usually a good idea even if it's not required. Here's a good general link: https://www.performance-painting.com/blog/5-important-steps-preparing-metal-for-paint Doing the job right isn't hard but it is time consuming (especially the prep). Considering how well your PW runs, it will be worth it. Cheers. Jerry
Andy. I have done many full blown restorations. My preferred method is a glass bead cabinet. Factory never primed their stoves. I use high heat BBQ paint and I am lucky I can get gloss black. The better the preparation the better your end results will be. Here is 1 of mine. For decal try Old Coleman Parts. If you don't see it listed just call Mike and ask.
@Ajess165 Hi! What a beautiful stove! I would caution the will to restore! That stove has lived a long and interesting life and that shows! If you restore it it will look just like a new unused stove. What you could do is take it apart and dunk the box and pot-rest in hot water with detergent and let it soak over-night. Then scrub it clean and dry it. If you then coat the metal with beeswax and heat it will get a protecting coating that will stop further rust. If you later find that you rather would like to paint it, just wash away the wax and it is ready to prime and paint. I have done a few restorations and apart from my Optimus 111 (check out @presscall inspiring thread about the Rustbucket) I kind of regret them all. Now, I am a rather ham-fisted all thumbs kind of man, so much of my work is not exactly top notch.... I have a hard time getting paint on stuff without building thick layers. /Lars
If someone offered me a new body, the same one I had when I was 20, I wouldn't turn it down because my current version is "more interesting." That's just me. Jerry
@Metropolitantrout I can see your point Jerry.... My body is in a lot better shape now at 52 than at 20, but if I could get that flabby body back I would whip it into shape in a month! /Lars
Sorry i havent replied for a while, wife just had a baby. So last night i took the kampkook apart and soaked it in vinegar to kill the rust. Rust is gone, but so is a bunch of paint. Still trying to decide if iam going to clear coat it like it is, or strip it all the way and repaint it.
I took a KampKook 3 burner (much more modern than yours) did a quick sand, steel wool, wash kinda thing and painted it. It aint perfect, but sure looks nice from a couple feet away.
Well, just bought high heat clear coat. Ill try it. If i like it great, if not i guess ill sand it all down and paint it. I think it will look pretty good.
So i soaked it in vinegar over night and scrubbed it down. Then high heat clear coated it. Looks pretty good, i might still sand it down and paint it some day.
@Ajess165 Congratulations on the birth of your baby. I hope all is going well on that front. You have stopped the rust and the stove is cleaning up into a good user. Wether you paint it or not is up to you. There is no right or wrong decision.
