Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT 1928 Sinclair

[Bert_]

The front window is actually quite an interesting piece. I'm not sure how they built this back then, but it may have even been a used salvage window when installed.
It has quite a bit of detail. The only fasteners visible on the outside are wood pegs. It would be interesting to see how the notches and angles were cut.
Coping saw and chisels? Stanley plow plane?
Go ahead and chime in if you know these things.

It's really a nice window. I love wood windows. Nothing made today even comes close to the look and feel.

If they're restored halfway decent they are actually fairly efficient too. With a good storm window they will perform as well as a modern window. Not to mention last a lot longer. I wouldn't run a storm on that front window though. It's too nice to hide. Well worth the small hit in heating costs.

 

[gas and guns]

It's really a nice window. I love wood windows. Nothing made today even comes close to the look and feel.

If they're restored halfway decent they are actually fairly efficient too. With a good storm window they will perform as well as a modern window. Not to mention last a lot longer. I wouldn't run a storm on that front window though. It's too nice to hide. Well worth the small hit in heating costs.

There will be no storm on the front window. Never had it, never will.

 

[Bert_]

There will be no storm on the front window. Never had it, never will.

Not suggesting you should...

 

[gas and guns]

Not suggesting you should...

No problem Bert, I didn't look at it that way.

 

[Bert_]

I just like following this thread. It's nice to see somebody restore a building rather than covering it in cheap plastic and vinyl.

 

[gas and guns]

I just like following this thread. It's nice to see somebody restore a building rather than covering it in cheap plastic and vinyl.

I enjoy vinyl no more than seeing a set of 22" chrome rims on a 66 chevelle.

 

[Jayman17]

Great job on bringing this great place back to it’s former glory. That front window is unique looking and really looks good with that fresh coat of paint.

Jay

 

[gas and guns]

Built a small shelf inside to get some of my oil cans out of the way.
I used the standard oil bulk tank to drain oil bottles in. When you collected enough to resell, I would offer it as multi grade oil for .50 cents a qt.
This tank was from Standard Oil.

 

[don long]

I have 2 of those big Sinclair 5 gallon cans like up on your shelf and I think they look great. I like the red accent stripes around the room too.

 

[wasfast]

I've never seen 3-tab shingles as siding but looks like it works.

 

[gas and guns]

Looks nice but it looks like you just installed it over the shingles. It will leak at the top. The bottom will leak also since it's not a true sill.

Solar Seal at the top and between the new sill.

 

[gas and guns]

I've never seen 3-tab shingles as siding but looks like it works.

They used to use them on many barns years ago. Those barns are still standing.
The ones I removed were 93 years old and the pine boards underneath looked like new.

 

[Bert_]

Solar Seal at the top and between the new sill.

Hopefully I'm not going to sound too negative here. Using caulk in an application like that is a temporary solution.

The top should have flashing that goes up behind the siding. The bottom could be done with a piece of metal flashing also but a real sill would be better.

I'm a big believer that a building should shed water without any caulk. I pretty much reserve its use for filling gaps and nail holes when painting.

 

[Bert_]

I've never seen 3-tab shingles as siding but looks like it works.

I think it was somewhat common back in the 20's or 30's. Those shingles will last a long time on a wall.

How does the cost compare to other siding?

 

[gas and guns]

Shingles on barn walls that you see in my area were usually put on many years after the barn was built.
As the old tongue and groove pine boards shrunk and opened up from age and weather, they would use shingles as a way to keep mother nature outside.

 

[gas and guns]

Just some of the history that I have of the old place.
This paper came out in 1934 or 35 according to the hand written note on the bottom.

 

[gas and guns]

 

[gas and guns]

Scraping the ceiling under the canopy.

 

[Toolfool]

The station is looking great.
You should have installed proper flashing under shingles and over that cap.

 

[gas and guns]

I know you're right.

But the top and the sill has been sealed with solar seal.
I can show you where I've applied the stuff 20 yrs. ago between concrete and wood and it is still sealed up.
I have faith in the product. Nasty stuff to work with. Don't get to sloppy.

The proper way is flashing, but I do have an 18" overhang. It really dosen't see much water except for the occasional sideways rain.

 

[Bert_]

Try a carbide scraper. I always used the regular one and they don't stay sharp. You end up scraping with a dull blade and it takes a ton more work.

If you really want to go all out a heat gun (or several) will help you scrape right down to the wood without a ton of work. Do need to pay attention though. Don't blow hot air into cracks or gaps, it's possible to start a fire.

 

[gas and guns]

The station is looking great.
You should have installed proper flashing under shingles and over that cap.

Here is a better pic of what I have going.

These windows were installed 25 yrs ago and didn't have any flashing then. I really didn't have any problems before.

If someone hired me to work on their house, I would have used flashing.

But then again I've been wrenching for 45 yrs., I wouldn't recommend going over 6000 miles on an oil change.
But I have been guilty of that many times.

 

[Terry D]

Looking great. Its going to be awesome when you are done.

 

[gas and guns]

Try a carbide scraper. I always used the regular one and they don't stay sharp. You end up scraping with a dull blade and it takes a ton more work.

If you really want to go all out a heat gun (or several) will help you scrape right down to the wood without a ton of work. Do need to pay attention though. Don't blow hot air into cracks or gaps, it's possible to start a fire.

I use a stone or file or both to keep em sharp.
I have a carbide scraper but couldn't find it.
Also the cheap scraper has a couple small ears that work good for cleaning bead in the groove.
You have to **** it sideways.

 

[Bert_]

Here is a better pic of what I have going.

These windows were installed 25 yrs ago and didn't have any flashing then. I really didn't have any problems before.

If someone hired me to work on their house, I would have used flashing.

But then again I've been wrenching for 45 yrs., I wouldn't recommend going over 6000 miles on an oil change.
But I have been guilty of that many times.

In your situation it's not going to rot out real fast. If water does get behind there the paint won't last though. Paint that peels after a few years is almost always because of a water problem.

 

[bugnut]

g&g that is looking like a wonderful tribute to the family. Thanks for sharing and for saving the old station.

as a side note many houses were resided with asphalt fake brick shingles when the paint got too bad to redo, it was known as bricktex.

 

[NickH]

I love this thread, what a cool old building, with great family history. I'm subscribed!

 

[captain14]

In my area, it’s common to see dormer walls with shingles applied. That’s how my house was built in 1939. They had to do a tear off when I bought my house due to the loan requirements and of course they tore the dormer wall shingles off and replaced it With painted plywood. So that’s one of the first projects I had completed was siding, fascia and soffits to all three dormers.

I am enjoying this thread about the old station.

 

[Jayman17]

G&G, great job on restoring this place. I have to give it to you, you are a brave man trying to scrape bead board. That is some hard, boring work, especially overhead. Ever consider removing and replacing with new bead board? Time and effort savings alone would be worth it.
Keep up the good work!

Jay

 

[Bert_]

G&G, great job on restoring this place. I have to give it to you, you are a brave man trying to scrape bead board. That is some hard, boring work, especially overhead. Ever consider removing and replacing with new bead board? Time and effort savings alone would be worth it.
Keep up the good work!

Jay

The scraping is worth it. That old board is like iron and will last forever. New fast growth lumber isn't nearly as good.

I just did my front porch this spring. I pulled a bunch of siding and trim off to replace a post and some sheeting. I scraped it and put it all back up. You just can't buy that good of lumber now.

 

[gas and guns]

G&G, great job on restoring this place. I have to give it to you, you are a brave man trying to scrape bead board. That is some hard, boring work, especially overhead. Ever consider removing and replacing with new bead board? Time and effort savings alone would be worth it.
Keep up the

G&G, great job on restoring this place. I have to give it to you, you are a brave man trying to scrape bead board. That is some hard, boring work, especially overhead. Ever consider removing and replacing with new bead board? Time and effort savings alone would be worth it.
Keep up the good work!

Jay

I have replaced some trim. But only the worst that is beyond saving.
The look I am going for is that of a 92 year old building that has evidence of a repaint here and there.
I have about 20hrs. into the ceiling scraping now and it's almost ready to prime.

 

[Homebody]

Awesome! The fact that it's been in the family that long is incredible.
You're doing great, keep the pics coming!

 

[gas and guns]

More history.
In this pic you can see the building isn't quite finished. 1928

It doesn't appear to have any shingles on the roof. Probably just felt paper.
The old felt was quite heavy and would hold out rain for some time.

When I replaced the roof a few years back I remember the rake board on front was face nailed to the end of the tongue and groove sheeting boards on the roof.
You can see it here.

Even though the building wasn't complete, the pumps are out front and he was probably selling gas at this point.

If you look at the back side you can see over hanging boards that hadn't been cut off yet. The back near side appears to have a 1x4 nailed on the flat at the edge. This was probably used as a guide to cut off the sheeting boards. (Think crosscut handsaw)

Also the building is closer to the road.
In 1930 the state highway dept. stopped in and told ol Sandy that his gas station was too close to the road.
The state was going to pave the road and he needed to move it back.
He was a bit irritated and told them he just built it and wasn't about to move it.
His reply was if you want it moved, do it yourself! ( his language probably wasn't that nice).
And so the highway dept. moved it back.
I'm not sure how far they moved it, wasn't much maybe 15 or 20 ft.

 

[captain14]

Where were the fuel tanks when the building was moved?

Just think forward 100 years how that conversation would go about moving the building and who would be responsible.

 

[gas and guns]

Very interesting. I've never give that a thought... things weren't quite so complicated back then.

My tanks were on the north side. They have been removed.

 

[Wheelingit]

That is a great job that you are doing. I grew up in a Sinclair station that my father owned. He built it after getting out of the Merchant Marines after WW11. Looking at the pics brings back many warm memories. I miss the station and my dad.

 

[gas and guns]

That is a great job that you are doing. I grew up in a Sinclair station that my father owned. He built it after getting out of the Merchant Marines after WW11. Looking at the pics brings back many warm memories. I miss the station and my dad.

Thank you sir,
I too have fond memories of growing up in a gas station.
My fathers childhood friend who ended up being his best man when he married my mother, owned a Texaco gas station.
I spent a lot of time there.
It was a beautiful block building with the green and white porcelain tiles. Big red Texaco letters on the front.

Great memories.

 

[ambenz]

Hope you don't get too many "knit pickers" as some members sure like to spend your money and throw out advice like candy at a parade. Sometimes you have to just let it ride without having to explain yourself, or you'll get discouraged and stop posting your progress. Ask me how I know...LOL! Love the passion you are displaying to rehab those memories and nostalgic context of the America we like to remember. It was a simpler time and oh so special to never forget the freedom we felt.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[gas and guns]

Thanks ambenz, I'm doing this on my budget which isn't very big.
Like my Grandfather used to say.....
"If a suit only cost a cent, I wouldn't be able to afford the arm holes in the vest!"

 

[gas and guns]

The ceiling is now painted. It's not perfect, but that's the way I wanted it.
A 92 year old building with signs of a repaint.
I call it character.
Primer first, and then semi gloss white.