Posted 13 years ago
wellzbam09
(4 items)
I need help identifying where this kind of sign could have came from. It includes mopar radio models 603 and 803. And is this sign worth anything. An answer would truly be appreciated.
1950s Mopar Radios and Skyway Antenna ADVERTISING SIGN (NEED HELP!!!) | ||
| wellzbam09's items4 of 4 |  |  |
The radios were built by motorola starting around 1945. The radio's and manuals don't bring big bucks. The sign looks like it would be tough to clean up without damaging the original paint. The fact that it is unusual might very well interest a collector. The radios were in DeSoto's, Chryslers and Dodge I believe so the sign might get interest from that audience as well as sign collectors and radio collectors. It certainly has possibilities. Thanks for sharing.
Yup, 1949 and 1950 Mopar products (Chrysler)..
Is there any way to get that spray paint off? I tried enamel reduced, and paint thinner and nothing... I really don't want to use paint stripped because it will take off the factory paint? Any other suggestions?
There are a number of different things you could try. However, if you have never done it before you could very well make matters worse. You may be better off leaving it alone.
Well what would be the best way? I have took off paint on porcelain signs but not regular tin. Is this sign worth anything in the condition its in or is it just a piece of scrap metal?
First you need to know what kind of spray paint is on it. If the black paint penetrated the original paint you are better off leaving it alone. I would take some masking tape and tape off a small, 1" square area like a little box. Do it where the black paint is darkest and there is nothing written. Like under the word "way" in skyway. Then put two drops of lacquer thinner on the paint inside the box. The tape will keep the thinner from running. Have some wet paper towels handy as you may need to move fast. Watch the area don't walk away. If the black paint starts to bubble and peel use a wet paper towel and wipe it up then another really wet paper towel to be sure you got all the thinner. The paint should react within two minutes or less. Done properly you can remove the black paint down to the yellow. If you let the thinner sit it will peel everything. Working with the water soaked towels and going slow, small areas is important. If the paint has no reaction to the thinner or it starts to crackle, use your wet towels and wipe the area down. Use plenty of water.
If you get the first reaction, blistering and peeling you can probably remove the black paint. Before you start you need to understand that you could ruin the sign.
If the lacquer thinner doesn't penetrate or if the surface crackles it may not be possible to remove the black paint completely. In that event you could go to the local auto parts store and get a small can of medium grit rubbing compound. Use a damp cloth and get some of the rubbing paste on it. Then rub the black paint in a circular motion, you may need to apply some pressure. Once again do only a small area. Then look at the cloth and see if it turned black where you rubbed. The compound may well remove the paint a little at a time. If this works then you would begin the removal where the paint is the thinnest and work into where it is thicker. This would need to be done by hand because a highspeed polisher would probably burn through and the heat it generates would smear the paints together.
Neither process is easy and if you have never done it before you could do more harm than good.