Well after reading some comments in one of the other threads about restorations i will start a new one. I am not bragging in any way about what i do. Just commenting on how i do mine compared to other (pro?) jobs i have seen. All my pumps i restore i start by totally taking apart every piece. Get rid of the pump unit first thing! As i do i put everything in a ziplock bags that are labeled. Off to the acid tank goes the panels and frame work. When i get them back they get washed with warm soapy water and rinsed. Then sprayed with simple green degreaser cleaner and let sit for a few minutes. Then rinsed off very very good. Off to the paint shop to be preped and painted. Automotive base coat clear coat paint inside and out on all of it. All screws and bolts are replaced with new. Any of the original parts that are not perfect get replaced with reproduction pieces. Face plates, crank handles, glass and all new rubber are the most common. The meter is cleaned and decaled if needed. I rewire them with a UL approved cord with a cord grip connector thru the side. Tie strap it to the frame and make all connections with proper electrical fittings. All trim is restored and polished to like new. When complete they look incredible. Yes they are better than new, but people are willing to pay for profesional quality work. They would rather buy a corVETTE than a cheVETTE.
At one of the recent major gas shows there was a well known dealer with some pro restored pumps for sale. As i stood there looking at them a customer wanted to see the inside of a MS 80 he had that was priced at $1600. It was a great looking red and white pump done up in Mobilgas. When he opened the door i almost fell to the ground in shock! The inside was original, factory paint, rust, cobwebs, dirt and all. Never even touched the inside of it. Just sanded and painted the outside. The lamp cord for power was just hanging inside, not secured and connected to the old wires with twist locks and black tape. One good pull from a little one would have been a shocking ordeal.
A restoration is in the eyes of the person doing it. If the pump is going to sit out in the weather then do a clean up on it. If it is going to be your pride and joy in the living room corner then go all out! Most importantly enjoy it and have fun doing it. A profesional or amutuer restoration has saved an old gas pump from the crusher. Kurt
