Alemite Service Merchandiser

[socalpetro]

Hello,

Wanted to share with you this alemite merchandiser which I am hoping to fix, clean, and put back to use in my garage! As you can see in the attachment photo it has overspray and a second hand paint job plus the typical grime, dust, and dirt. My question, is what chemicals or products do you recommend to bring it back to life? I would hate to go into this blindfolded and mess things up. So I am open to any tips and pointers that can help out here.

thanks again!

 

[FJ 432]

Welcome to GJ and you have a potential beauty. Are you trying for a complete, return to new restoration? It might help if you share your plans and whether you have a direction.

 

[socalpetro]

Welcome to GJ and you have a potential beauty. Are you trying for a complete, return to new restoration? It might help if you share your plans and whether you have a direction.

thanks FJ. I dont think a complete new restoration will be done any time soon. However, my plans will be basically to try and preserve it without it getting rusted any further and get a decent shine to it and perhaps try to remove overspray? Anyone recommend any chemicals/spray to use?

or is a generic degreaser and dawn soap just needed in this application?

 

[FJ 432]

Start off slow with a degreaser. Goof Off makes a graffiti remover that I've had luck with on overspray. Just take your time. Also search this site for inspiration as some of us have done amazing restorations.

 

[firebirdparts]

Nice! I have been using the current paint strippers off the shelf at Lowes and tested a few, they all work fine. If preserving the original is the goal, I use abrasives mostly for that. Sometimes quick wipe with a solvent. I had to remove a lot of it from Atlas Ignition cabinets with graphics on them, saving the graphics.

 

[firebirdparts]

If you have the emblem it may be plastic.

 

[socalpetro]

If you have the emblem it may be plastic.

Indeed I do have the emblems. As for the abrasives, would you suggest starting on a super fine 220 grit?

btw thanks for the tips

 

[Old Fart]

Before you get too far along, remove all trim, emblems, etc. so they don't get screwed up by whatever process you use.
I've heard of guys using oven cleaner to remove pin striping paint, so it may work on overspray.
Cool unit! Good luck!

 

[66Caprice]

You need to contact Don Long on this site! He is a master of restoration on all things automotive and has restored one of these already. Send him a PM. He is not only very talented doing this kind of stuff. He is a hell of a nice guy too!!
Here is the link to his garage gallery thread.

building my BIG PARTY garage

So I've been poking around the journal for a month or so and am totally hooked. I enjoy the garage sharing and the fantastic pic,s after reading your threads and comments I feel like I know some of you well and find much in common with you folks so i want to share those things in my life that...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[cos]

Are you missing R bench door and top left SS moulding? Parts are very difficult to find. I looked for a round Alemite badge (1) for years, finally had (2) sandcast AL made. Be aware the 3/4 inch wide deco trim is not all SS. It has a thin layer of SS over steel, making it impossible to metal finish (dents). At least thats the way mine is.