Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion 18' Texaco sign pole

Just purchased an 18' texaco pole and was going to try to get some opinions on restoring it. I am going to blast and paint the thing myself and was wondering about what the original color would have been? I am guessing white but not sure. Also should I clear coat it too. Thanks, Dean

Dean, it was in my mind that the poles were black, but after looking through some books, I found that you are correct. The poles are white with a black ring surrounding the sign itself. The base appears to be black also. As for clear coating it, that's up to you. It would probably withstand the elements longer.

TEXACO "banjo poles" which used the "old" (1936) trademark (the traditional red star and green T) were basically white. The rim (all the way around the disk) was black. Some banjo poles had a cover over the 4 bolts at the base. If present, it was painted the same dark green as was used around the bottom of the building. If the cover was not used, the bolt bracket and base (about 8" up the pole) was painted green.

In a few (very, very few) cases, old banjo poles (which were "officially" discontinued in 1965) were painted all black and used the current "red disk/white star/red T" trademark. (These were so rare, though, that I'm not sure that they were even sanctioned by the Company.)

Hope this helps.

------------------
Jim Hinds
Columbus, Indiana

deleted

[This message has been edited by bettin (edited 08-22-2005).]

Are you SURE banjo poles were only 18' tall? Man - I could have sworn they were at least 100' tall when my Dad used to make me paint that damn black rim and the "scoop shovel" lights which stuck out from both sides!

------------------
Jim Hinds
Columbus, Indiana

great photo ron, thanks for posting it, cheese

Thanks alot guys for all the information and the picture. This is gonna help me a bunch. I appreciate it and when I "get er done" I will send in a picture. Thanks again, Dean