1935 Gas Station Resurrection

[7th Kahuna]

Great job so far. I really like the display case. That was a lucky find. I look forward to seeing it come together. A quick note on the bathroom; I understand why you did what you did, but if you are planning to have customers into this space, you should be aware that the room as you have built it will not meet ADA requirements, not even close. I'm not saying it needs to be changed, just wanted to point it out before you spent a bunch more time or money on it.

 

[HD FLHX]

If you already mentioned this, sorry for the repeat. I just went through the entire thread, but skipped reading much of it. The pictures speak for themselves!

I think color matching the building brick to a paint for the back wall on the right and then some kind of faux mural or signage would make the whole building look even more impressive and awesome.

BTW, Really super cool project. Thanks for sharing your progress!!

It was brought up a while back. I'm actually planning on painting it an off white/creme color. I feel with it and the building being a similar color they just blend into one. With the wall a lighter color it will put the focus on the building. I have had a few people bring up the idea of some type of advertising or even possibly a mural on it. My brother suggested doing some old billboard type advertisement promoting the town itself.

Great job so far. I really like the display case. That was a lucky find. I look forward to seeing it come together. A quick note on the bathroom; I understand why you did what you did, but if you are planning to have customers into this space, you should be aware that the room as you have built it will not meet ADA requirements, not even close. I'm not saying it needs to be changed, just wanted to point it out before you spent a bunch more time or money on it.

Its not a public restroom or even a business for that matter. I'm using this building for my own personal use.

 

[HD FLHX]

Interesting entrance to the restroom. I guess the door will swing out and step will be enclosed by door.

Wishing I had your energy and drive.

Yeah the door will basically be installed backwards and open out. Not really my idea whomever built the restroom that I'm removing done it that way in it and it worked so I just copied it.

 

[vtwinjunkie]

Really loving this build!

 

[rmalkow2]

Good idea to paint the wall with some tribute to the town or, painted in a theme and message that match your service station theme?

 

[HD FLHX]

Another day spent doing some demo work. The restroom, which took up about a third of shop bay 3 is now torn out.

 

[shortykorte]

I remember those days except I was 9 foot above the ground, the deck was glued and nailed.

You're moving through the demo work like a hoard at a Walmart Black Friday sale.

 

[gtiboy66]

nice shop

 

[xtremek]

Did I miss it, or do you have another bath room? Or are you going to down size this one? Like mentioned above, you're going through this like the devil is chasing you. Great job.

 

[HD FLHX]

Did I miss it, or do you have another bath room? Or are you going to down size this one? Like mentioned above, you're going through this like the devil is chasing you. Great job.

Yeah, you missed it Pics are on the previous page. I'm in the process of relocating the restroom to one I built that is in the back corner of the first shop bay. Basically just big enough for a toilet and a sink. The old one was over kill and took up too much valuable space up.

 

[HD FLHX]

Some more demo from this afternoon. Pulled up the wood floor that was in front of the old restroom. They had laid true dimensional 2x4s on edge then covered them with 3/4" osb to bring that floor up level to the second bay floor height. I'm working towards getting all the back shop area opened up (walls and ceiling) so I can start the process of rewiring the entire back 60' addition.




Some things that you just have to shake your head at in old buildings, in the process of pulling up the floor I found the main water supply line at the joint between the wood floor and the concrete edge. Its lived there for over 30 years obviously, but is very vulnerable IMO. Not sure what I'm going to do protect it a little better. Moving it isn't really an option, cause frankly I don't know where it goes. I'm sure that would probably be opening up a can of worms I really don't want to deal with.




The floor all up. I cut the 2x4s just inside the wall for now. That wall is going to be removed in the near future. You can also see the inside framing for what will be overhead door #4





The concrete floor looks to be in pretty decent shape for being 70+ years old

 

[shortykorte]

It's amazing what they did in the pass pre-**** codes and buildings are still standing.
What are you going to do about the change in floor elevation?
I guess it's good and bad you found the water line. If you could recess the concrete above water line and place a strip of 1/4 steel plate, line would be protected and you would know where line was.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

We have a free service here that will locate utilities under the ground, roads, or floors. If you have that type of service, it may be worth it to locate that water line for future reference. You never know when there may be a leak under that slab. I didn't think copper was supposed to be poured in slab because of expansion and contraction rates of copper.

 

[Cris B]

Great restoration, keep at it and those pics flowing

 

[HD FLHX]

It's amazing what they did in the pass pre-**** codes and buildings are still standing.
What are you going to do about the change in floor elevation?
I guess it's good and bad you found the water line. If you could recess the concrete above water line and place a strip of 1/4 steel plate, line would be protected and you would know where line was.

That steel plate idea isn't a bad one...I'll probably end up doing something like that. The different levels of the floors is just something I'll have to live with. Its part of the character of an old building. The building is built on a slight hill and each section drops down to follow the slope. There are 5 levels from the front of the building to the back. The floor in the last 2 bays is 32 inches lower than the floor where the display office is. I took a pic tonight that shows it a bit better

 

[HD FLHX]

Dropping the ceiling in shop bay #2.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Nothing quite like the feeling you get when the head of sledge hammer in your hands takes it's first swing at a virgin wall. Double fun if you hit a 2x4 stud. Eventually it becomes work but oh so satisfying.

 

[madoc1]

Nothing quite like the feeling you get when the head of sledge hammer in your hands takes it's first swing at a virgin wall. Double fun if you hit a 2x4 stud. Eventually it becomes work but oh so satisfying.

it has been a while but totally agree.

jim

 

[xtremek]

Dropping the ceiling in shop bay #2.

At this rate you'll be done with the internal reno by the end of winter. Holy cow you move fast.

Nothing quite like the feeling you get when the head of sledge hammer in your hands takes it's first swing at a virgin wall. Double fun if you hit a 2x4 stud. Eventually it becomes work but oh so satisfying.

it has been a while but totally agree.

jim

What? I respectfully think you guys are nuts. But then again, maybe because I've spent too much time with one.

 

[HD FLHX]

One of those things that make you chuckle a bit..found the remnants of one of the old doors above the drop ceiling in the first shop bay. I knew part of the track was still up there, but didn't expect the lower door panel to still be there too. Guess they didn't want to mess with taking the tension off the springs on this one for some reason.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

That's a pretty cool find!! Why didn't you make the new garage door opening the same height as the original?

 

[HD FLHX]

That's a pretty cool find!! Why didn't you make the new garage door opening the same height as the original?

Because I'm not removing the framing for the dropped ceiling in that section. I don't need 12' ceilings and would rather have a lower ceiling height with 2 layers of r19 insulation and an 8ft tall door than a 9 foot door with less insulation.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Makes sense!

 

[C_F]

Looks like that old door is about to buckle in the middle from it's own weight. That's a funny thing to find, though.

 

[Grizz1963]

This thread has certainly grown so fast.

Thank you for the updates.


Merry Christmas and a fruitful New Year.

 

[shortykorte]

And the building that keeps on giving. I bet you'll miss finding the little treasures and fine construction practices once you go through everything. You have made great progress and look forward to what 2017 brings.

May your Christmas be peaceful and filled with love and the New Year be a time of rebirth.

 

[HD FLHX]

After a couple days away from the building for the holidays been back at it the last couple. We were fortunate to get a bit of a warm up (mid 40's) so I took advantage of it and installed another overhead door yesterday.





Resizing the opening for the 10x8 door. I insulate the pockets above the door, install a vapor barrier then cover everything with 5/8ths plywood





Ready for the door install




Drywall lifts come in handy when working alone







I had ordered low headroom track for this section because I originally hadn't planned on removing the dropped ceiling. I may change to a high lift track in the future, but for now its fine.




A couple things I uncovered while running new wire. First up in the attic above the office area I found an old tin badge on a 2x4 for Nourse motor oil. Its about the size of a 50 cent piece. Personally I had never heard of the brand. Done a little research and found out it was a Kansas City company.



I was told by a local oldtimer a while back that there had been a fire in this building at some point. I found this wrote on the top of a wall above the drop ceiling.



A few new items for the gas station office. The Autolite posters are NOS from 1957

 

[koerbc]

Awesome Project

 

[ambenz]

Cool garbage can...I know they are expensive, as much as $250 with shipping.
I am looking for one a little less expensive.
Thanks for your updates...cool shop for sure!
I am waiting for summer when you might do some adjustments outside.
It would be nice to see it fully reverted back but there is a fine line to doing too much and having the general public rolling in for service.
Whatever ya do, having a commercial private building you can call your own is priceless!

 

[Bad67300]

Loving the space and vibe you have going on your project! As a fellow gas station resurrection fanatic I'm definitely subscribed!

 

[BUGTHUG]

Those garage doors are from Menards, yes? I guess they are insulated also? I find that I like the looks of those better then the 3 section doors I have. They have a nice clean look, and probably easy to clean?
So has the town news paper stop by to do a hometown update on what you have transformed the beautiful building into?
Of course its your business, but I would think it would be neat to have a small dinner type area with coffee and doughnuts for the old men to come around and yap about the good ole days. But I'm sure it would slow you down, and no time to smell the roses.
Its cool some of the things you've dug up while renovating, great find for shore.

 

[Finallygotit]

My goodness Joe, you're a freakin animal. Great job so far.

Subscribed!

 

[HD FLHX]

Those garage doors are from Menards, yes? I guess they are insulated also? I find that I like the looks of those better then the 3 section doors I have. They have a nice clean look, and probably easy to clean?
So has the town news paper stop by to do a hometown update on what you have transformed the beautiful building into?
Of course its your business, but I would think it would be neat to have a small dinner type area with coffee and doughnuts for the old men to come around and yap about the good ole days. But I'm sure it would slow you down, and no time to smell the roses.
Its cool some of the things you've dug up while renovating, great find for shore.

Yes the doors are from Menards. They are IDEAL Commercial doors R13 insulated. Had to special order them, took about 3.5 weeks to get. I've been happy with them, well made and came with a very good installation manual. Not sure about the cleaning part yet, but I will say dirty hand prints wipe right off so they'll probably be easy to keep clean.

My goodness Joe, you're a freakin animal.

Not really...I just don't have a life... I'm not a real social
person. Can't remember the last movie I watched, don't go out to eat, don't watch but a handful of TV shows. Working on different projects is what I enjoy..whether its building a hot rod from the ground up or redoing a building you'll always find me working on something in my free time.

 

[HD FLHX]

Here is an older not very good pic of the building when it was the flower shop. Good example of how a paint scheme can sure change the look of a building. Also shows the bay window that they had built in the third bay opening. The guy I bought the building from had to remove it because it was leaking and falling apart.

 

[xtremek]

Here's my $0.02, and I'm guessing you're headed this way, but I'd put some white accents on the green doors. I think it would brighten the place up perfectly. Anyway, the place is looking great

 

[Bears Fan]

Just keeps getting better!!! I really enjoy following along on this thread

 

[rmalkow2]

What an amazing transformation already with the work you've done. Your town should be pretty proud to have you upgrading this property. Following along on this interesting journey.

 

[markviii]

Very nice work! Finding "treasures" during the renovation is always fun. It keeps the history of the building alive.

Happy New Year!

Chris (markviii of the Restored 1930's Auto Shop)

 

[HD FLHX]

As we start a new year I would like to thank everybody that has taken time out of your busy day to follow along my little renovation project. The amount of interest and input has far exceeded any expectation I ever had.

To a point where a lot of the new wiring has been ran in the first shop bay so I can finally start putting things back together. The majority of the walls will be done in osb. I prefer it because it makes it easier to hang things. It will be left natural just as I done in my Morton building at home. There will be a few walls that will be covered with galvanized pro-rib like I done in the front. The ceilings will be white pro-rib panels.

I started finishing out the north shop side wall yesterday. I have the heat off in the front section and figured it would be that way most of the time so I decided to insulate the interior wall that separates sections.





There are 4 outside lights that illuminate the east wall of the building that were not hooked up before. While running wire above the drop ceiling I wired them back in on their own dedicated switch. The two northern lights work fine, I assume the other two have burned out bulbs. I'll have to look into that today. Also need to work on getting them aimed a little better.

 

[Finallygotit]

Great job Joe and Happy New Year.

The resurrection of that outdoor lighting will go a long way in the appearance of the building at night. It already has IMHO and you're not done.

Cheers!