dealer sign preservation

Farmall 656 · May 25, 2021

This weekend, I picked up a dealer sign and it is by far from perfect. I was wondering what are some ways that I can preserve what is there? There is some flaking and rust. Is there some product that I can use to condition the sign or am I relegated to clear coat? Any suggestions or ideas that have worked in your situation would be appreciated!

Stephen Newell · May 25, 2021

I'm not a fan of clear coat. It works alright on fresh paint but going over old paint often has adhesion problems. Even the car companies have problems with clears. You see pealing clearcoat on way too many cars. Unless you are going to keep it outdoors I would leave it just like it is, maybe just wax it with pastewax. If it is something you need to use outdoors I think I would use that one for a pattern and make a new one. Can't tell what has worn off but stencils could be made to re-create the sign.

showcrop · May 26, 2021

You need to kill the rust before you can do anything with it. Once a surface has rust it pulls moisture out of the air so that it can keep working. If you coat over rust you are just enhancing it's work environment so that it will retain moisture longer after humid times and just work faster. You need to convert the rust with one of the iron phosphate rust converters It will turn the rust black, and it will remove the red-brown streaks that are over the paint. It will creep under the paint and attack the rust there and stop it from lifting more paint. I think that pieces that I have done this with look good without any other treatment.

Farmall 656 · May 26, 2021

showcrop, Any one iron phosphate rust converters that you would recommend? Or are they all good/the same?

dr sportster · May 26, 2021

Looks like it has a yellow border up top too. Have you seen any you can read the whole sign.[I would leave it alone]

showcrop · May 27, 2021

(quoted from post at 19:42:39 05/26/21) showcrop, Any one iron phosphate rust converters that you would recommend? Or are they all good/the same?

I like Rustmort by SEM it is sold in auto supply stores. It is used by autobody and restoration shops. Be sure that whatever you get that it is clear and not milky, and follow the instructions.

dr sportster · May 28, 2021

What are you really going to do? Cut the rust piece off and weld a new one . Match the paint and paint the rust .{ it will show unless you paint the whole background] The only way to do it would be order a new sign blank have a vinyl shop cut stencils ,spray the letters. So what this adds up to is leave it alone !

DoubleO7 · May 30, 2021

I would hand wash it using dawn in the hottest dishwater I could stand using a hand held brush soft enough for scrubbing my arm.

Then rinse good with hotwater, blow off with compressed air and let sit in sunshine on a hot day.

Then while warm from sun, sponge on mop-n-glo floor "wax" which is actually a liquid acrylic coating.

The above if your going to hang it indoors.

It will be worth more leaving it looking as is vs trying to make it like new or even repairing the areas of no paint.

showcrop · Jun 12, 2021

(quoted from post at 10:15:20 05/30/21)
I would hand wash it using dawn in the hottest dishwater I could stand using a hand held brush soft enough for scrubbing my arm.

Then rinse good with hotwater, blow off with compressed air and let sit in sunshine on a hot day.

Then while warm from sun, sponge on mop-n-glo floor "wax" which is actually a liquid acrylic coating.

The above if your going to hang it indoors.

It will be worth more leaving it looking as is vs trying to make it like new or even repairing the areas of no paint.

So many products manufactured for rust and for steel and for protecting paint and you come up wit household floor finish? LOL!!

J.Wondergem · Aug 8, 2021

White vinegar and baking soda will work on the rust.

J.Wondergem · Aug 8, 2021

This post was edited by J.Wondergem on 08/08/2021 at 04:56 pm.

dealer sign preservation

Farmall 656

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Stephen Newell

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showcrop

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Farmall 656

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dr sportster

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showcrop

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dr sportster

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DoubleO7

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showcrop

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J.Wondergem

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J.Wondergem

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