Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Showcase and Stories, Petroliana ROTM - JAN 2005 - Restoring Signs

This month we are going to do something a little different until I get more projects from some oldgassers out there. This is a slow time for restoring – too cold for me and I’m in California. I couldn’t imagine the weather where some of you guys are from. We have a couple of projects in the works for future ROTMs, but they are not completed yet.

What we are doing this month is sign restorations. You can put a before and after picture of your sign or you can show it step by step from beginning to end. I’ll leave it up to you guys. You can also describe what materials you used to restore the sign with and any special tips you may have for us oldgassers out there. Thanks in advance for your participation. I will post a couple of projects that Hubba and Doc sent me a few months back. ~Jason

This first sign is the work of that famous tattoo artist - Hubba

This next sign resto is from the imfamous Doc at TAG.

It did non take much to restore this sign. Just some Barkeepers Friend to remove the rust.
Before


After


John

The General sign is Tom Stovers..I think he paid 5 bucks or less...LOL. It was hammered with rust thoughs and major porcelain loss. I just cleaned it up and then used one shot sign paintes enamel. I didnt fix the rust holes or edges at all since it was basically going to be an outside barn hanger. At least you can read it better now...LOL. I did the same to my General sign and also one for Dwaine Buck. The signs were bought up here at a swap meet and werent in the greatest shape but are very cool signs and I always wanted a General sign. After some work they dont look half bad. I couldnt afford a real good one anyway so I am Happy

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Hubba: GAS GEEK , OIL FREAK and humble moderator

Jason, one of the best sign restoration jobs I've seen was Dwaine's Seaside "NO SMOKING" sign. Maybe you could get him to post some photos of that? Looking at what he did on that sign, would certainly make me feel more confident in what could be done to a high dollar sign with lots of damage.

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Don "oltoydoc" Sherwood
Vintage Gas

Thanks for the posts guys. Keep 'em coming. Don, I emailed Dwaine and asked him to help. Would enjoy seeing his resto. Thanks, Jason

JASON WOW! THANKS FOR THE LESSON AND TAKEING THE TIME TO SHARE WITH US OLDGASERS.
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REX

Like Hubba said, I paid a whole $5 for this one. I can't imagine a sign going to the dump, breaks my heart!! When it's screwed to an outside wall on my shop with jasmine or another vine type plant growing around it, it'll look great. Actually, with Hubba's considerable work to it, she's already lookin' good!!! I owe you some more bullet's Hubba!!

Jason , thats a great job , it looks like you really know what your doing, thanks for taking the time to do this , it's like Bump and paint 101, for the collector, thanks again

I would love to take the credit for this one because it was done so well, but DOC put all the effort and knowledge into the Goodyear sign. Thanks again Doc. I'm just the messenger on this one. Have a great day guys. ~Jason

OOPS! JUST READ SOME OF THE POSTS....LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE KASE OF MISTOOKEN IDENTITY.

I FORGOT TO MENTION IN MY EASY TO FOLLOW STEPS (1 THRU 8) THAT THE SIGN IS 8' TALL BY I THINK 18" WIDE. I THINK IT WEIGHED ABOUT 15 LBS BEFORE AND WEIGHS ABOUT 45 LBS. HOW I ADDED 30 LBS OF LUMBER IS BEYOND ME! HEY...AT LEAST IT'S STURDY! WHEN THE SIGN WAS OFFERED TO ME, IT WAS ONE OF THOSE PERSONAL CHALLENGES TO MYSELF TO "DOCTOR" IT UP AND MAKE IT LOOK LIKE SOMETHING MUCH BETTER THAN IT WAS. FUNNY HUBBA'S SIGN JOB WAS ALSO $5 ORIG COST! SOMETIMES I WISH THERE WAS A $5 CORRAL @ CARLISLE!

THANKS FOR THE KIND WORDS!

DOC @ THE AMERICAN GARAGES

[This message has been edited by THE AMERICAN GARAGE (edited 01-27-2005).]

Let's see some more sign restorations guys. Help the Hobby. ~Jason

Neat stuff guys! I have several signs that I want to tackle sometime down the road.
Good info and great inspiration!!

Neal