Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Pump paint job

When I restored my first pump 20 years ago, I knew a guy that could paint it for me.
Got a nice straight pump that I want to tackle, but don't know anyone to paint it.
My 1st pump costed $200 to paint, so I'm sure that I'll be in for a surprise this time.
It's a rust-free M&S 80 ad top pump. Very minimal body work & one color, blue.
Can anyone give me an idea of what it should cost? Thanks Rick

In todays world good luck if you can find anybody to do it, and then if you do probably more than pump is worth!

Anymore you need to find a guy that can do side work and paint out of his garage. You might take this opportunity to learn how to do this yourself. Lots of good you tube how to videos. Several places like Eastwood have mail order paint supplies. You may find that you could try to paint the pump, maybe screw up a few times and have to sand it down, and still be ahead of what someone may charge.

I just bought a quart of paint and hardener, and a quart of sealer and hardener last night and together they cost $211.00. A quart will only do the doors on our pump, so you will spend considerably more than that just for the paint materials for yours.

That also was for single stage paint, if you go base/clear it will be double that.

Yes, costs for today's automotive quality paint materials can be quite a reality check, if you haven't purchased any in awhile. Just hope you don't need a red color! John

Sorry, about that. I am a good spray can painter! Logistics will not allow me to take up the sport. Looking online, I noticed that Macco paints most things. Anyone ever try them?

I used Maaco a few times. They never disappointed and I was completely happy. They only charged $500 when I first started using them years ago and it eventually went up to $650. That included body work, prep, primer and paint!! Couldn’t beat it.

I actually used the Maaco by you on Dixie and Telegraph, but the new owner said no more gas pumps and they let the old manager go (Marty). Marty was a great guy. I don’t know if you knew JR Adler from Waterford (he just passed away), but he used the Maaco on Dixie religiously.

I haven’t been there in about two years, so try them again and please let me know. Good luck.


I know it’s hard to tell in a picture, but both of these were a Dixie / Telegraph Maaco paint job….. they did the exterior and interior (note this is two different pumps that I did (they just look the same… 39 & 300).

I did talk to Jr a few years ago about his painter. He gave that recommendation. The next time I talked to him he said the same as you did. I'll give them a shot.
If they don't want to, the search will begin. What a drag about Jr. I could listen to him tell stories for hours. He told me he was retiring at 90. He lied! it was in his blood.

What is a top ad pump?

Martin & Schwartz model 80.

Hi Rick, If you have an interest in traveling to NE Ohio I can see if the man that paints my pumps is interested in taking on a new client. He is a full time body man and does side work out of his house. Let me know.

That sound good. I'm a one pump every 2 decades kind of guy but do have a few projects that may break out this spring. Quite a drive for us, but the antiques out your way are always fun to go to. I'm hoping to get going around April or May. Thanks!

I would not touch that pump. Leave it as is. Great looking patina pump!!

I agree 100%. Now that I see that pump, I think it looks cool, as is.

Interesting. I have been thinking make it perfect so that the wife "might" let me put it in the living room. There really isn't room for it.
Got tons of room in my 3/4 full 2 car garage. The plan is to convert it to a budget man-cave & park the cars in the driveway. (already there now).
Maybe I could just rewire it to light up & call it done. Hmm