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#159027 Sat Nov 07 2009 10:06 PM
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phibes Offline OP
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Hi all. Looks like a great group. I found the forum searching for information on porcelain sign restoration, and ran across a discussion about how a restored piece might deter collectors wary of how well the restoration was done.

I have a 2-sided Goodyear sign (pics attached). I was wondering what it is worth unrestored vs restored, and what I should expect to pay for restoration if I go that route.

Should I have this piece restored or not? Any opinions appreciated.

1b.jpg 2b.jpg
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Welcome...Great sign. Personally, If it were mine I would re-bend the flange and just do some touch up. As far as value it is a good sign and there are some very good sign experts here that can answer that for you.


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welcome phibes.....In my opionion your sign is worth $200--$300 as it sits and $500- $1000 restored...Restoration would run approx. $750- $1250....as you can see it does not really pay to do it , unless you want to keep it & need it to appear as mint.....

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I am kind of hard nose about not restoring signs,A sign can only be orgional one time if you restore it you can not go back.Take care of it and in the long run it has to be worth more. Let the next guy spend the money to restore.


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phibes Offline OP
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Thanks for the kind welcome.

Interesting information, as well as ideas. I'm a bit disappointed about the value, I love the graphics and thought they would contribute to the value and push it up there a bit higher in general desirability. But evidently a restoration would be unwise financially, as well as aesthetically.

Roadrelics, are you talking about a restoration that would refire the missing porcelain and make the sign as-new? Or something that would just re-level the surface and match color in the missing areas? I ask because the latter is within my ability (I'm a designer and artist) so maybe a DIY job is in order here. Perhaps I could make the color-matching fill-in temporary so the piece could still be considered original by later removing the touch-up work if desired.

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Welcome to Oldgas.com Shop Talk, phibes. The sign does have very cool graphics. If I owned it, I would rebend the flange and display it.

Restoration or extensive touch-ups as your sign may seem to "need" can turn off many collectors from buying. I have only bought one sign that I knew was restored. It was at a major petro swap meet. A close look showed the restoration, so I passed it by when I first saw it. On the last hour of the last day I looked again. The seller said, "If you're interested, make me an offer." So I told him about my reservations about restorations and offered half of his asking price. He accepted the deal and mentioned that he was losing money but wanted to sell.


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First welcome to Old Gas smile As for having the sign restored it is not worth it. If it where mine I would carefully rebend the flange & touch up some of the white on the flange. If you really want a nicer sign that looks like that one will come along. I had one exactly like that & it was dead mint. Had day one gloss & one small chip on one of the mounting hole on the flange. I sold it for $650 about a year & a half ago. Should of kept it but that how it goes smile


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To my knowledge, NO ONE is doing real porcelain repairs. It's all done w/ paint & most are re-painting the whole sign w/ clear over that.

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Hi phibes, and welcome,

I go along with Jim. I would just rebend the flange and put it up. In some display situations it will work just fine as is;perhaps along with an unrestored pump? Collectability? I know several collectors who would prefer it the way it is; very few who would prefer it touched up. It's a matter of personal preference. IMO.

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Hang it! Sign looks great the way it is! Take it from someone who restores their own signs (when needed), I wouldn't touch that one.

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phibes Offline OP
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Researching this does make me wonder about sign values in general. Just a quick search of recent completed auctions shows some signs that look pretty boring IMHO going for thousands. Most seem in very good shape, but it looks like tasty graphics aren't driving the market by any means.

So is rarity the hot button? Only thing I can think of to explain the wide range of prices.

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No matter what, rarity will always "drive the market", IMO. Doesn't matter if the item is a sign, globe, oiler... etc. If it is rare, design doesn't mean a thing, again my opinion.


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Popularity has more to do with value than rarity & CONDITION above all else.

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Phibes.......the restores i know just fill in the chips, paint & clear coat, however they do a great job.....your sign would be worth much much more (close to $2000) if it was mint....tasty graphics in porcelain are in demand however, condition condition condition....

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I have a few Goodyear's of that vintage, but not like that one, they hang in my "one of these days I'll finish it" gas station / garage building unrestored. Fix it so hang mounts good to the wall and enjoy it! tt

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Originally Posted By: roadrelics
Phibes.......the restores i know just fill in the chips, paint & clear coat, however they do a great job.....your sign would be worth much much more (close to $2000) if it was mint....tasty graphics in porcelain are in demand however, condition condition condition....


But keep in mind if you restore it, No matter how perfect it comes out it will never bring close to the money an untouched one will. Keep it as it is, Really doesn't look that bad.


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I'm no sign specialist but I say rebend the flange, carefully, clean up any heavy rust, carefully, wipe 'er down and maybe a coat of wax and hang 'er up and enjoy it. It's my opinion and experience that restorations are generally a turn off to collectors unless it is so "important" because of rarity and appeal to warrant the work. I've always wanted one of those and "beggars not being choosers", I'd be happy to have that!


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phibes Offline OP
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Once again, thanks for the contributions, guys. I'm still not quite sure what I want to do with this sign, but I doubt I will worry about trying to restore it, at least not at present. If true fired-on porcelain repair can't be done, I can paint-match the rusted areas myself, and I don't know if I want to fool with it.

I may sell it. If anyone wants to make me an offer, feel free to contact me at gryvn@remington-rand.com I don't have a price in mind, just seeing if anyone wants it more than I do.

Other than that, thanks again for the kind welcome, and your thoughtful insights!

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...rebend the flange and leave it alone...the graphics are cool - and if you don't have much in it, just enjoy the sign for what it is, a piece of history...after a while the flaws will bother you less and less...


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I'm with the "leave it alone" crowd. Personally, I'd rather have a rough sign than one that had been restored. Plus, most of the restorations I've seen have been pretty poor, in my opinion.

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