Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion From "Paint & Prices" Post I have a question/poll

OK, so what I really like about this hobby, aside from the nostalgic aspect, is working on a pump to get the satisfaction of seeing it all pretty in the end.

After reading the Paint & Prices post, I'm getting an impression that a lot of the pump guys are having body men do the "work". I can see having sheetmetal made, but I thought most guys do all their own filling and other stuff. But other than disassemby, reassembly, and finding shiny hardware, I don't see much to enjoy. I think the countless hours sucking in rust deposits from the random orbit sander makes the Gilbarco even nicer in the garage.

So for you pump guys -- for your pump(s), how much work do you do? I figure I'm doing 100% of it myself -- even if I have to resort to spray paint. (I'm buying a gun for the Wayne 60.) I'm fabbing my own spinners and filling all the rust spots. That, to me, is the work that makes it worth it.

Again, it comes down to your own ability. I have seen guys put additions onto their own houses, calling themselves carpenters, and I think that the Monroe Bros. from Green Acres are back I mean their work truely SUCKED so it is just in what you think you can handle and be happy with.

I would say that 80% of us had better farm the work out, in all honesty.

That is why professionals go to school and serve apprenticeships and the like....

100% here.........


of course, owning a body shop has it's priviledges

1) Its easier to find a guy to do the bodywork than it is to find a guy to paint it. Its the bodyshop pecking order with the painter on top. Difficult to find anyone to do either on a steady basis.

2) I farm out my plating but prep/polish pieces myself before and after.

3)I purchase my globes and decals

4)I purchase parts from suppliers when I can't locate originals

5)I do my own bodywork and paint

6)I have my stripping and striping/lettering done

7)I pick and buy the pumps I do and restore them the way I like them to look. I try to stay away from restoring other peoples pumps or doing custom orders.

8)Some peoples taste in how they want the pump to look is not commensurate with their skills so they farm it out. Others who actively sell pumps farm it out for expediency.

I do all my own work, and suffer like a dog the whole time. I sandblast the pump with a stupid little handyblaster and a crappy craftsman air compressor=this part is by far the worst. I always swear I will never sandblast in my backyard ever again when I finish blasting a pump or coke machine. A year later I will be picking sand out of my eyeballs again. Today I primed the bare metal of my Gilbarco clock face. I used a high build primer to fill all the rust pits. Next I block sand and paint with acrylic urethane. I do it all myself, because when I look at the finished product I know I did it. I have a high threshold for restoration suffering, this is not necessarily a good thing.

Looks like I brought up a passionate topic.

Everybody seems to have a little different philosphy. Since I'm a newbie to this hobby, I'll plan to learn as I go...I am a do-it-yourself kind of guy and will try just about anything.

I'm sure my second pump will go much differently than my first.

Yep, Jason, everybody has a different way of doing it. we all start saying I'll save money by cleaning these doors an side skins my self, uh huh. you can take it to a powder coater for 50.00- 100.00 and save your self 80 - 150 hours of scrapping , stripping, sanding, wire brushing , rust removers, washing , it can all be done by them in two days, now write down the different paint combinations , I myself use spray cans, then clear coat it it takes a little longer to dry but it still comes out good, eh. have fun.

I do everything myself except the body and paint work. I am not a bodyman or painter so if I want a good professional job why should I do it myself. I work for a car dealership that has a bodyshop so I get a good discount on labor, paint and materials. I do spray paint the frame and internal parts myself. Also there is a lot more to do than just the paint and bodywork. I spend hours cleaning, polishing, repairing, disassembling, reassembling, wire brushing, getting parts ect.

However, every person has their own way of doing a pump. None of which is wrong. Some pumps my be of more value than others because of the way they were done but all that matters is that the person who did the pump enjoys it and they are satisfied with it. The main thing is that these pumps are saved from being destroyed. If someone does not like the way a pump was restored wether it be under or over restored, they can always be redone to the new owners liking.
Just save the pumps!!!

I dont get to do many pumps for myself, Im way to busy doing pumps for others all the time. Im not complaining, I wouldnt do them if I didnt enjoy doing it. I do everything except the plating.

Ryan

Hey Petrobilly
I'm pretty much of a newbe myself,even though I've had my first,and only pump for a year and a half.I've done all the work myself sofar,I'ts ready for final paint now but I am haveing some one else do that.
I've had a blast doing all the work myself,
but I might change my mind once I see the finished product.I am going to keep this one for myself.
----JERRY

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i like to do all my own work.

i just got another wayne 60 a couple weeks ago, got home with it at 9:00 pm. tipped it out of the truck right in front of the garage & had it completely torn down right there in the dark with the flood lights on before bed time. the next evening i blasted it, then spent a few nights getting it straight. then i sealed it inside & out with good sealer with rust inhbitors in it, had the things i needed for it ordered & all the site glas cleaned & VR working & some inside pieces cleaned up & back together it went within the week. glass is cheap but i like to cut my own glass to. i get new house windows from this company that throws the rejects away. i took all the exposed brass bolts & polished em. now it sets all together waiting for an easy restoration. i cant stand to own a 60 in the rough!

i remember A 60 i restored. i met the guy after he got home from work at 9:00 pm got the pump loaded & home about 10:30. he made me pay $125.00 for it cause he thought i really wanted it bad. which i did! i had that pump apart & a few things blasted & the face bezels & upper side panels all sealed before bed time! or like way after bed time. i spent weeks block sanding that pump it was a couple month resto & i have that pump right in the office lit up 24/7 yet today. i think its dated 1989? ive had soooooooo many light bulbs in it i just unscrew the bolts with my fingers! ive tried every kind of light bulb they make i think?!! its a porsche red & white pump & ive changed it from texaco, to red hat, to mobil, right now its a red crown. i had to put the back door on the front cause of all the holes from different sized signs!!! LOL!!!

[This message has been edited by Tommy 2 Tone (edited 08-28-2003).]