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What is the best way to restore Porcilean signs? I have heard of people pollishing them, and people covering up rust with Bondo. Anyone know how to do this?
-Mike

I sure would like the answer as well. I have some vintage garage lights that need some work too.

Thanks!!

I CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE THIS WAS POSTED IN THE PAST OR WHO I POSTED FOR IN REFERENCE TO A SIMILAR QUESTION...HERE'S HOW I DID MINE:


DOC 2 THE AMERICAN GARAGE WEST

I've restored a few signs & the best way I've found is to rub some lime-away on the sign, wait a couple minutes, and rub LIGHTLY with fine scotchbrite. I've had very good luck with this method. Just remember, don't leave the lime-away on too long cause it'll start drying or fade the sign and don't rub too hard with the scotchbrite.
Good luck
Jimmy
By the way, if there is a better way to do it, I'd like to know!

ACTUALLY IN ADDITION TO MY ABOVE POST ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECT SUCH AS ACID RAIN MARKS OR DULLING ON THE SURFACE OF PORCELAIN SIGNS (ASIDE FROM FILLING IN HOLES AND RESTORING THE RUSTY FINISH) I HAVE TRIED THE
FOLLOWING ITEMS TO BRING BACK THE GLOSS IN THE PORC:

-SOFT SCRUB & "OOO" STEEL WOOL
-RUBBING COMPOUND & A NON-SCRATCH PAD
-GLASS WAX & BUFFING WHEEL
-METAL POLISH W/JEWELERS ROUGE

FOR REMOVING PAINT:

-LACQUER THINNER AND A NEW SINGLE EDGE RAZOR BLADE IN HOLDER.
-PAINT REMOVER WORKS WELL SINCE PORC IS NOT PAINT - REMOVE WITH A
PLASTIC BONDO SPREADER WIPE CLEAN WITH A HOSE AND A RAG.

REMOVING SCRATCHES:

ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE DEPENDING ON WHAT RUBBED AGAINST THE SIGN...SOMA-DO....SOMA-DON'T GO AWAY. I USE RUBBING COMPOUND HERE WITH "OOO" WOOL.

I ALWAYS USE LEATHER GLOVES WHEN MOVING A ROUGH RUSTY EDGED SIGN....THINK SAFETY FIRST - NOT TETANUS LATER....AND YES RUBBER GLOVES HELP TOO, BUT HAVE HAD A SLIVER OF PORC BREAK OFF AND POKE ME FINGER! OUCH!!!
BE CAREFUL

ONE GOOD THING ABOUT LARGE SINGLE SIDED SIGNS IS THAT YOU CAN BACK THEM WITH THIN PLYWOOD AND FRAME THEM WITH CORNER MOLDING
& PAINT THEM TO MATCH THE COLORS WITHIN THE ORIGINAL SIGN. IN THE END THIS KEEPS THE LARGER SIGNS
RIGID AND EASY TO HANDLE EVEN THOUGH YOUR ADDING WEIGHT TO AN ALREADY HEAVY SIGN.

I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE!

ACEman: I HAVE USED LIME-AWAY OR C.L.R. ON A SIGNS SURFACE RUST AND GET THAT DULL APPEARANCE.
LATELY I'VE BEEN USING NAVAL JELLY TO SOME GOOD SUCCESS. TRY IT...YOU'LL LIKE IT!

DOC @ THE AMERICAN GARAGES

Hi Mike if you make it to Michigan Gas look up Dawn she has a now nice looking Mobil thats going to be there

Thanks for the tip Doc.
The sign looks great!