Stainless stove cover repair

[somefun]

This question pertains to my 74 Overlander. Has anyone had any success on refinishing the "stainless" stovetop cover? Mine has some pretty heavy rust spots where I think my Dri-z-air water had spilled and sat for awhile (a long while). I have tried SOS pads, Scotchbrite and even 400 grit wet and dry paper with only limited success. I thought if I kept at it, eventually I would get through to the original "shiny" metal. But black spots still remain. It looks as though the finish is pitted in some areas as well. I was thinking of using a wire wheel next!

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

[InsideOut]

We don't have a "cover" for our stove top, but the stove top itself had some discoloration from a minor cooking fire by PO. These areas were starting to rust like your cover. I took the top to a local plating company and the cleaned it up and replated the whole top. This was one of our first projects and I didn't document the before & afters, but we are pleased with the results. We also had our original door knobs re-plated as the brass was showing through...as I recall, both cost less than $75.

Here's a link to Ajax Custom Plating the folks that did ours, I would imagine there is a similar outfit in your area, check your yellow pages. Good luck!

Shari

[Dbraw]

Our '71 Safari had the same problem. Little rust spots on the cover. I lightly sanded it and than spray painted it with black satin Rustoleum. Did the same to the oven door. The cover under the burners had the same problem so I sprayed it with Silver high temp paint after a light sanding. Both paints are available at home improvement stores. Now, the unit looks really good. Not the best way but and an inexpensive way to fix the problem.
Dan

[smily]

I too had ambitions of refinishing my stove top cover on a 1971 Overlander.

I took it to a local sandblasting company to have the pitting removed. The "Sand blast dude" informed me that the cover was not solid stainless steel but a sheet of metal that had a stainless steel covering on top of standard steel.

I bet that your cover is rusted considerably more on the underside due to the fact that the underside is not covered with the stainless steel layer.

The sand blast dude was apprehensive about sandblasting the cover because the process would remove the stainless steel layer from the cover.

I ended up sanding the cover and painting it with an appliance epoxy paint. It turned out real well and had a durable finish.

Good luck......

Smily

[Inland RV Center, In]

The stove top covers "are not" stainless.

Stainless does not rust.

We have seen some covers that have been "chrome" plated.

Looked sharp and jazzy, and certainly improved the looks.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com
airstreamcandy.com

[Dave-O]

I had my cover, cooktop and grates sandblasted and powdercoated by a local company. The cover and cooktop with a color that was called Stainless Steel and the grates black. The finish still has some imperfections but looks a heckuva lot better.
I have a business relationship with the company and they would not accept any payment, so I don't know what it would have cost. My guess is $50-75.

[smily]

No offense Andy, but stainless steel will rust. (respectfully)

There are several grades of stainless steel.

Typically, stainless that is "rust proof" is a very high grade of stainless steel and cost considerably more than your average stainless steel.

I believe that there is a thread on this forum that discusses chain link for tow chains. That thread aslo discusses grades of stainless steel.

As Andy has said many times before, "you get what you pay for".



Smily

[Chas]

My cover looks pretty sad as well. I was wondering if a good metal shop could duplicate it and make a new one out of "real" stainless steel? Stainless steel is non magnetic, right?

Chas

[Inland RV Center, In]

Smily.

I was refering to the covers that are on the Magic Chef stoves.

That stainless rusts.

However, there are a few types that do not rust.

There are a few types that are magnetic. The windows clips that we have made, are magnetic, and we are told the material will not rust.

Have sold those clip for a few years, and no one has reported a rusted one, yet.

[thenewkid64]

Chas,

Any good metal shop should be able to make you one. NSF grade will cost $$ but if you want a "real" stainless cover go for it, the only limitation is your bank account.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Brett.

Can we use the words "Airstream" and "bank account" in the same sentence?

Usually, there is a big "GULP" between those words, or very rapid deep breathing.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com
airstreamcandy.com

[thenewkid64]

With the risk of being redundant I will quote Smily, who quotes Andy:

"As Andy has said many times before, "you get what you pay for". "


I am a firm beliver in my signature line

It used to say: There is no probelm that we will encounter that cannot be overcome by the application of massive amounts of liquid capital.

[LuminumTraila]

Shari -- What kind of plating did they put on your stovetop? Did they do just the top, or the underside too?

-Jamie

[aztlanco]

I am missing the stove-top-cover alltogether. Does anybody know where I can get one, or where I can get a drawing of it with dimensions so I can get my local sheet-metal shop to build me one. It's for a '63 safari and the stove has four burners. Thanks to all.
Ernie
'58 Traveler, 18ft.

[Safari Tim]

Camping World has stove covers.

http://www.campingworld.com/search/i...ds=stove+cover

[mcneon]

Ernie, I'm about to obsolete the stove cover in my '74 Argosy. It's stainless and in pretty good condition. If you can give me dimensions and, even better, photos of your stove, I'll be happy to see if mine might work for you. PM me.

Bob

[aztlanco]

Originally Posted by mcneon

Ernie, I'm about to obsolete the stove cover in my '74 Argosy. It's stainless and in pretty good condition. If you can give me dimensions and, even better, photos of your stove, I'll be happy to see if mine might work for you. PM me.

Bob

Bob;
Thanks for all your help! The cover looks good and I will make it work.
Ernie,
'58 Traveler, 18ft.

[Sneakinup]

Sandblasted and powdercoated with an anodized aluminum finish.

[Ed Starman]

I had mine polished by a pro. the whole cooktop, ceramic coating on the grates plus the sink. Some rust wants to come back but if I give it a minute polish one a month its holding up well... its funny to able to see you reflection in the sink. Makes me not want to use it....told the wife she could do the dishes outside...Looks like im doing the dishes from now on lol

[Ed Starman]

btw I had to pay $400 for the work on the sink and cooktop...Worth it since they were in such poor condition to begin with.. as I wanted to keep the stainless cooktop and couldnt find a new one quite as nice