applying non-debian patches and compling kernel the Debian way

["H. S." <greatexcalibur@yahoo.com>]

I usually use the Debian way of compiling the kernel as explained here:
http://newbiedoc.sourceforge.net/system/kernel-pkg.html

For this I have always used the kernel-source package from Debian. And 
given this, I can apply the kernel-patches packaged for Debian. I was 
wondering, can I apply non-Debian packages too to the kernel before 
doing "make-kpkg --append-to......"?

Also, can I just download a pristine copy of the kernel (from kernel.org 
e.g.), apply the corresponding patch that comes with it and others that 
I may need and then continue the Debian-way from "make menuconfig" 
onwards? Thus using make-kpkg to make a debfile to be installed with dpkg.

If you can refer me a URL that explains this (using pristine non-Debian 
kernel source and Debian way of compiling it) even better.

Thanks,
->HS