So I got this new/old sign...

[aar0s]

Went to help my brother move two old sheds (we could get neather BTW) and there was this sign hanging on the side of one. The guy was giving the shed (with sign) to my brother as he lost the house in his divorce and is now in an apartment with no where for the sheds.

anyway, I have this sign thats obviously been shot and is rusting, i dont want it to rust anymore than it already has, can i hit it with some flat clear to keep the rust from advancing?

It looks like at one time it was two sided but the back side is so faded that you can barely make it out, like maybe it was the "out" side and the sun faded it.

 

[Lone Star Blaze]

Nice I love it, thats one I'v never seen before

 

[aar0s]

I haven't either, I'm wondering if it wasn't a local fuel company back in the day that didn't make it or was bought out.

forgot to say that this thing is about 30 inches tall and thick, not the new tin replica signs they are making now.

 

[Kevin54]

You can shoot it with clear after cleaning it well. But if it is inside you shouldn't have too much of a problem with rust anyways.

Cool sign BTW. Definitely different in the aspect that they spelled Gasoline with an "E" instead of an "I".

 

[softailgarage]

i love finds like that. i would leave it like it is, but you can do 1-2 light coats of rustoleum gloss clear. it'll be a protective coating and not look too plastic.

 

[Ohio Auto]

It's a well known gas company in the gas/oil collectables area.

Do not touch it...don't put any clear or anything else on it. It's cool to clean it up...but you will probably affect the value negatively if you shoot some clear on it, as most sign collectors like them original.

If you're going to store it inside I wouldn't worry about any more rusting.

Nice sign.

 

[John in OH]

Very unique sign!

Just wondering what levels of restoration/preservation others have done with old bullet hole riddled signs like this one?

 

[MartyO]

It's a well known gas company in the gas/oil collectables area.

Do not touch it...don't put any clear or anything else on it. It's cool to clean it up...but you will probably affect the value negatively if you shoot some clear on it, as most sign collectors like them original.

If you're going to store it inside I wouldn't worry about any more rusting.

Nice sign.

Exactly what he said.

 

[MartyO]

Very unique sign!

Just wondering what levels of restoration/preservation others have done with old bullet hole riddled signs like this one?

I don't restore my signs and I tend to look for signs that have not been restored. Patina never hurt anyone!

 

[DrunkSmurf]

Cool sign, just oil it up IMO.

 

[aar0s]

thanks guys, I like the patina on it so i doubt that any restoration will take place, its going inside but theres no climate control and several times ive seen the weather change drastic enough to make every thing metal including the engines of the cars sweat.
Ill need to hang it high enough that no one will get snagged on a semi rusty edge though.

 

[texasguy]

Excellent find. listen to Ohio Auto - he knows.

I have a few similar condition signs and after a thorough cleaning have wiped them down with motor oil. Eventually the motor oil flashes but it gives some level of ongoing protection. I haven't seen any detrimental effects and I like the way it darkens up the rust spots a bit.

 

[cksubs]

Sweet sign. Bullet holes?

P.S. I started a request for a subforum here specifically for signs/decoration/memorabilia... I could use some support!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99211

 

[MartyO]

Sweet sign. Bullet holes?

A lot of folks used these signs as target practice. Whether their own or someone else's sign!

 

[Lippyp]

I clean mine up starting with a good de-grease and wash with dish soap and hot water and a small scrubbing brush. Once they're as clean as they're going to be they then get several good coats of car wax, gives a nice sheen without being shiny and protects them well. Cool sign, don't get any with bullet holes in over here just rust holes. This thread reminds me I need to take a picture of the sign I picked up in France at Easter. Its a big enamel SNCF place name sign that was an absolute bargain.