Old AC sign pic: cleaned and waxed...
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=138315
Printed Date: 28 Aug 2025 at 5:46am
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Topic: Old AC sign pic: cleaned and waxed...
Posted By: JayD-17(NY)
Subject: Old AC sign pic: cleaned and waxed...
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 8:25pm
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So, I got this old metal dealer sign and looking for advice on the best way to clean the grime off of it without hurting it and what might be the best safe way to prevent any further rusting and bring back the shine to the paint. You can see in the pics, it looks like someone had it hanging in a shop or shed and the roof may have slightly dripped on it a bit. It has some mild surface rust on it's backside too. I usually clean old antiques with a mild a degreaser and gently rub with a very soft scrub pad when i get them. Once they're rinsed and dried, to preserve them, I take a soft brush or damp rag with a linseed oil/ mineral spirit and go over them.......that usually arrests the rot and rust and makes the colors pop again. But not sure if this would be the best method for this sign....and certainly don't want to cause it any harm or do anything to devalue it: http://s88.photobucket.com/user/jml77/media/Tractors/AC%20sign%201.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  http://s88.photobucket.com/user/jml77/media/Tractors/AC%20sign%202.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  |
Replies:
Posted By: Ryan T
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 8:35pm
Sorry don't have any good ideas on cleaning it up. But if you want to sell it I'm interested  would be awesome in my shop
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Posted By: Tracy Martin TN
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 10:26pm
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Soap and water. Dry, then wax it. JMHO ------------- No greater gift than healthy grandkids! |
Posted By: shameless dude
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 11:16pm
| I agree with Tracy....don't use windex cuz that will scratch it. just mild soap and water with a soft cloth. i'm not sure about how to remove the rust, but it don't look to bad, and that also adds character to the age of the sign. keeping it original. |
Posted By: Mikez
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 11:20pm
| Nice sign jay. |
Posted By: ACJake
Date Posted: 12 May 2017 at 2:38am
The best way to clean it would be to package it very carefully and securely and ship it to me  . Nice find. ------------- 3 WC's, 2 WD's, 3 WD-5's, D-14 w/HenryBackhoe, D-17, 4 D-19's, 185, 190XTsIII, 200, 210, 7010, 10 L&G Allis's. Nunn Better Farms Bleed Orange!!!!! |
Posted By: dt1050
Date Posted: 12 May 2017 at 3:25am
x2 ------------- Just cause it's orange don't make it a tractor, there's only one..Allis Chalmers |
ACJake wrote:Posted By: JayD-17(NY)
Date Posted: 14 May 2017 at 1:55pm
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So, here is a new pic of the sign. Cleaned with soap and water and a little degreaser and then hit with a basic spray on quick wax. Don't think I'll meddle with it more than that. You get them looking to good and people start thinking it must be a fake/repop! http://s88.photobucket.com/user/jml77/media/Tractors/100_3541.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Randy MN
Date Posted: 14 May 2017 at 5:33pm
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Sign is in very good condition. Very nice. I use dish soap and warm water to wash mine and I then I use "Nu Finish Scratch Doctor" to remove some scratches and it shines it up nicely. If the paint is starting to flake off, then I don't do anything to them. Thanks for posting picture.
------------- 34 WC #477, 38 B #1935, 1-116 on steel, #8 7ft dbl action disc, #9 5ft dbl action disc, 295 Chainsaw |
Posted By: macvette
Date Posted: 14 May 2017 at 8:32pm
| Boy, that sure is a nice sign! Congrats. |
Posted By: Alberta Phil
Date Posted: 14 May 2017 at 10:16pm
| I've got that same sign but mine was mounted on the sunny side of the dealership and the orange is pretty well faded to yellow! Still looks good on the north side of my shed! |
Posted By: Mikez
Date Posted: 14 May 2017 at 10:33pm
| Awesome looking sign |
Posted By: Bob-Maine
Date Posted: 15 May 2017 at 8:02am
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Super nice sign, Jay. Aside, we have the same taste in coffee. I have Folgers cans all over my shop. Wish I had the sign. Bob@allisdowneast ------------- I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not sure. |
Posted By: JayD-17(NY)
Date Posted: 15 May 2017 at 8:58am
Actually, I don't touch the stuff! Could never stand it. Love the cans though. They are so handy for so many things, aren't they?...Give all your nuts and bolts that fresh brewed smell for years too. Thanks for all the kind comments, it cleaned up better than I thought it ever would. I'm going to screw it down to a heavy plywood backer slightly bigger than the sign with some simple picture frame like trim for a boarder. That way, I figure it will stay nice and flat and I'm not directly touching the sign all the time. I can anchor to a wall using the plywood back however I want or simply lean it against the wall or a tractor on display, without having to worry about the sign itself bowing, warping or getting its corners crimped or crushed. It'll be in the house in the collectible/toy model room most of the time, Figure that will help preserve it too. It's a real nice size. Don't need two people to move it. Won't shatter if dropped like the plastic and glass ones , and I didn't have to spend thousands to own it.
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Posted By: Dave(inMA)
Date Posted: 15 May 2017 at 4:09pm
Very nice sign! I managed to find a similar sign several years ago - it's the pride of my shop.  ------------- WC, CA, D14, WD45 |