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KAYAKAMPERS · 02-15-2013, 08:35 PM

There never seems to be much posted on finding replacements for this 3-burner cooktop (Magic Chef Model 34). Ours is working but has a lot of rust because of age and a water leak the PO had. I took it to a metal refinisher and they said they could do it, but it would cost too much. Does anyone have ANY idea of how to find a replacement? We eventually need to replace our countertop also, so we could replace it with something different since we would be cutting a new hole.
Any suggestions? Thanks.
Beth

BIGED52 · 02-15-2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAYAKAMPERS

There never seems to be much posted on finding replacements for this 3-burner cooktop (Magic Chef Model 34). Ours is working but has a lot of rust because of age and a water leak the PO had. I took it to a metal refinisher and they said they could do it, but it would cost too much. Does anyone have ANY idea of how to find a replacement? We eventually need to replace our countertop also, so we could replace it with something different since we would be cutting a new hole.
Any suggestions? Thanks.
Beth

Beth, post a picture of what your cooktop looks like. Give some measurements and I'll see if I have one that will work for you. Ed

KAYAKAMPERS · 02-16-2013, 05:08 PM

I thought I had a picture of the cooktop, but I don't. I only have this one of Chris standing in the kitchen area. You can see the cover for the cooktop and shape/size. On the other side are 3 burners and that is it. I have the cooktop taken apart right now, and I'll post another picture when I get it taken.
Beth

goshawks00 · 02-16-2013, 05:42 PM

Beth W=e redid our stove/oven in our 66 Safari... You are more than welcome to hve ours as we put in a cook top... It works but have no idea how to ship it to you. If you can figure the logistics it's yours,
Barry

BIGED52 · 02-16-2013, 08:33 PM

Beth,

Is that rust on the top cover of the burners? Barry has the '66 if it is just a cooktop and is not the oven & stove in one unit. Also if it is in good condition you may want it. The one I have is a cooktop only from a '68 Ambassador and is stored in my garage. I will go out there tomorrow A.M. and see what condition it is in. I will post here as to what I find. Ed

KAYAKAMPERS · 02-17-2013, 07:06 AM

Barry - thanks for the offer, but if I see your floorplan correctly, you have an oven/cooktop that are one piece - is that right?

Big Ed, yes - that is rust on the cover of the cooktop. There was a water leak from the PO and the cooking part of the cooktop also has some rust. I can live with part of it if I had to. Let us know what you find?

Our cooktop is a SEPARATE unit from the oven which is actually across the galley from the cooktop. Here's the floorplan to look at
http://www.viewrvs.com/tt/airstream/...rlander_26.jpg

thanks anyone with suggestions.
Beth

goshawks00 · 02-17-2013, 07:14 AM

Yes ours is a single unit-stove + cook top.... Oh well..........

KAYAKAMPERS · 02-17-2013, 07:53 AM

Oh well - thanks anyway. I can't wait to get my cabinet latch though!!!

ALANSD · 02-17-2013, 11:03 AM

Is the top or stainless part rusted through? I cleaned my 3 burner up with steel wool and polish. The burners could be replaced. You could powder coat the steel cover and plate, just an idea.

KAYAKAMPERS · 02-17-2013, 11:10 AM

Hey Alan!
The top is not rusted through, but is rusty. I took it to two metal refinishing places and they both told me it would be cost prohibitive to clean. Since you are local, any thoughts on who might be able to powder coat it? It is only used for covering up the cooktop, so I'm not that worried about it other than this is the part you see all of the time!
I was going to do the steel wool idea myself on the rest of the cooktop pieces. I can always put foil on the burner plates. The unit works, and we probably won't have the money to really replace it, so I would be happy with cleaning it up a bit. It will never be a show trailer but lovingly used!
We have GOT to get together to take a look at your Overlander.
Beth

Skatiero · 02-17-2013, 06:14 PM

Beth and Chris, we saved an old grill in similar condition with High-temp grill paint. It comes in many colors but is most common in black. If you use a wire brush to remove the surface rust, then sand, you can prime and paint. It will look better and still function. Just a thought....

larry b · 02-17-2013, 07:19 PM

Beth, Chris,
I had the same issue with mine, different style stove but same issue. I had a couple pieces of stainless steel cut and pop riveted to the top, looks much better than rust. Just another idea.
Larry

KAYAKAMPERS · 02-18-2013, 06:51 AM

Larry, we are thinking about having the top fabricated also. WHO or what kind of company does stainless steel work? I went to two different metal refinishers and they don't do it; one recommended a company but it was a long way from my house and I don't remember where they were now!

Katie, I've been doing the steel wool routine and we do own a wire brush, but I don't want black. If I could find a high-temp steel/pewter color, that might work.

Actually the cover is all I care about because when I'm cooking it doesn't matter what the stove looks like, but the cover is what folks see when it is closed.

panheaddale · 02-18-2013, 07:09 AM

Any auto body shop should be able to sand and refinish with paint for a reasonable price, or you might check with a metal/welding shop about fabricating a new top. If you want it made back with stainless it will be expensive but it could be fabbed out of sheetmetal and would be alot less expensive. Then you could easily paint it or powdercoat whaever color. Another option would be aluminum and polish it so it would look like stainless

ALANSD · 02-18-2013, 07:37 AM

There is a duct fabricator here and probably one closer to you than Roswell. Anyway they will fab almost anything out of stell it aluminum. I had them make a steel box to go under my entry door area and they welded it in for me. Pretty reasonable.
Look up fabrication shops in your area I would bet they could make that stove cover for you and it would be not too hard on the budget.
My Overlander also is not a show trailer. I wanted function and for it to look clean. It is pretty much there, other than the outside which is still in progress..lots of small things to do...continuing to polish ( on going lifetime project!).. install new running lights ( got em just need to put em on).. Paint emblems. Install water heater( thanks Skatiero), and redo the 1 area of veneer that has water damage ..if I can ever get the leak to stop..its better but not gone ( new roof vent cover, lots of vulkem,& so on)
You guys are welcome to drop over if you want to just PM or email me...

KAYAKAMPERS · 02-18-2013, 08:01 AM

Thanks all!!

KAYAKAMPERS · 02-19-2013, 07:33 AM

Yesterday while looking on Google, I found this guy who does Stainless and Steel work. He has a small shop at his house and does custom work too. It seems he can do about anything that Airstreamers would need, and he now has our cooktop cover and the other two small pieces. He will 'derust' them and then polish them. They will be closer to brushed steel (I expect) when he is done, but from what he showed me, it should look great. I'll get them back in a few days and will post pictures of them so you can see his work.
He loves vintage things and does a lot of work for the Vintage Vespa group (even through the mail). I saw some front struts on a vintage Puch he had and he said they were as rusty as my cooktop cover, but they looked great!
I'm excited about finding him and looking forward to seeing the results. Again, I'll post pics when I have the pieces back, but his info is:
Andrew Hudson
Hudson Custom Fabrication
Ph: 770-401-4412
Fx: 678-309-3809
www.hudsoncustomfab.com

Beth

ALANSD · 02-20-2013, 10:46 AM

now that is great. Good resource!

KAYAKAMPERS · 02-20-2013, 11:16 AM

It only took Andrew Hudson a day to do this for us and we ALREADY have them back! The last step is to put a clear coat on them which Chris is doing right now. The 3 pieces are hanging in the basement drying and now he is trying to figure out how to get them into our oven to do the 'baking' part of the clear coat! I am very happy with how they turned out. They are not perfect, but damn close to it and since our trailer isn't perfect, it's a good match!! The ugliest thing about it now is the foil I put on the burner covers. I wasn't willing to pay to try to get those polished and they had LOTS of rust on them. Also, I figured I could find replacements for those a lot easier. For a comparison, look back at the picture I posted when I began this thread.
Beth