56" Vieluxe Redux


 
As for painting the debossed lettering…. a variation on what others already said.

I’ve filled in debossed lettering on watches by using Q-Tip to wipe Testor's paint over whole word, waiting a little bit for paint to grab but not completely dry, and then cleaning excess with another Q-tip wet with 91% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol.

Examples: Repainting worn off recessed lettering improved look of almost 20 year old SS watch. On the black watch, filling in the previously stealth black lettering with Orange paint made those functions legible to my aging eyes.

Painting Debossed Lettering.jpg
 
I am still working on the panel. I might try the "wet wipe-off" method you are suggesting, Mike. I have very little time to put into this, so it is going slow. Getting closer on the black lettering but most eager to do the V I E L U X E name and logo in blue!
 
Jon, I am wondering if a powder coating outfit could do the lettering in a very professional manner and that way should be a lot more durable. But, it certainly wouldn't hurt to try the wipe off method in the mean time to see how that works out.
 
Jon,

I have had good luck 're-brushing' SS with 400 grit sandpaper. I use C clamps to but a level (or any other straight object) on it and then go end-to-end, full length in one direction to get out brillo pad marks with pretty good success.
 
Cody Bratton said:
Jon,

I have had good luck 're-brushing' SS with 400 grit sandpaper. I use C clamps to but a level (or any other straight object) on it and then go end-to-end, full length in one direction to get out brillo pad marks with pretty good success.
Click to expand...
Cody,
That's pretty much exactly what I have done. I am following up with some extra fine (1000, 2000, 3000) grit to brighten up further. This takes away almost all of the "Brillo" marks, but, of course being over 20 years old there are a few deeper scratches that I will have to live with.

I hope to post update pictures by this weekend!
 
Jon Tofte said:
Cody,
That's pretty much exactly what I have done. I am following up with some extra fine (1000, 2000, 3000) grit to brighten up further. This takes away almost all of the "Brillo" marks, but, of course being over 20 years old there are a few deeper scratches that I will have to live with.

I hope to post update pictures by this weekend!
Click to expand...
Those are the kind of side projects that I really enjoy. I enjoy all aspects of a restoration though. Everything adds to the transformation.
Jon I can't wait to see update pictures!
 
Jon Tofte said:
Cody,
That's pretty much exactly what I have done. I am following up with some extra fine (1000, 2000, 3000) grit to brighten up further. This takes away almost all of the "Brillo" marks, but, of course being over 20 years old there are a few deeper scratches that I will have to live with.

I hope to post update pictures by this weekend!
Click to expand...
Break out the buffer and polish that bugger to a mirror finish!
 
Sorry I have been behind in posting the at least the small progress I have made on my Vieluxe. Maybe this weekend will bring more. I will try to catch up where this project sits very soon.

Meanwhile, I saw this older Members Mark grill for sale for $150 and was struck by its rough comparison to a Vieluxe. Put some decent, thicker grates on there and you have kind of a knock-off VIeluxe:

Member Mark Vieluxe knock-off.jpg

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Unicorn????
There are two NG Vieluxes for sale within my range. One is close in Indianapolis, and the other is in Kentucky. Both look decent (not perfect) but have languished unsold even though they are now in the $400 - $450 range. They are certainly rare but maybe not as hot an item as some suggest. I would be extremely unlikely to try to flip one, but I am still extremely happy and blessed to have one for myself :coolkettle: !
 
Jon I remember seeing those Members Marks in the stores and drooling over them. At the time IIRC they were about $600 and all I could do was dream in those days as a struggling realtor trying to make a go of it. I don't think the grates in that grill are original as the OEM ones were every bit the equal of anything Weber installed. They were all solid 304SS and built like absolute tanks. IDK how they cooked but I remember back then Steven Raichlen had a TV show called BBQ University. He was using and likely sponsored by Grand Hall who made this line of grill/grill heads for a large BBQ dealer in California who's name escapes me. But basically the same grill Sam's was selling as this one. And from what I saw it did incredible work. At the time I had bought this grills "little brother" and it cooked incredibly. Though unlike it's big brother it did not have cast stainless burners but cast iron, did not have solid stainless grates but stainless "clad" with cast iron centers. And the rods would literally explode occasionally. And the back panel of the grill was made of mild steel powder coated and did not hold up to the punishing heat of the IR rotisserie burner. All cost cutting measures to allow the grill to meet a verry solid $300 price point. It came at a time my Genesis was acting out, and my original thought was I would replace the Genesis with the MM grill. Thankfully I never got rid of it. Eventually saving enough to get (now your) Summit 450. Long story short: The grill on the ad here took care of all the aforementioned short comings because every piece was solid 304SS and it was truly "built".
 
Thanks for the info Larry! How old do you think that one is? I am used to seeing the more recent MM grills on Marketplace, but I don't think I have ever seen this model.

Looking at that heavy cast iron grate over the side burner, it is hard not to think the designers had the Vieluxe in mind as a target for them to make something that at least offered some of the same style but at a way lower price. If that grill was $600 in the day, it is easy to see why Vieluxes didn't sell like hot cakes when they were priced at $6K to $8K!!!!
 
I think mid to late 90s. As I started seeing them about then and it's also when I had begun having serious issues with my then 5 or 6 yo Genesis. I "settled" on the smaller 3 burner more stripped version. Which was a total "bust" due to burners constantly rusting and clogging with rust, rear panels rusting apart, grease tray rusting and burning through. Sadly it cooked great. Was really about the best steak cooker ever. And the rotisserie burner was a bit over powered for the size of the grill so oh boy did that thing spin an incredible chicken. If that thing had been made like the one in the ad you saw I think I'd still have it. Instead I took Sam's Club up on their lifetime satisfaction guarantee and got my money back
 
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