Restorations involve a lot of research and planning to achieve an end result that is historically accurate and satisfying to the customer. It's definitely a team effort! We've had the great privilege of being part of some amazing restorations and here are just a few:
Aerosmith Van
Mefford Motors gave us the opportunity to prep a number of parts for the Aerosmith van. Since the goal was preservation rather than restoration, it wasn't your typical blast job to say the least.
James K. Polk fountain
This fountain, attributed to the J.W. Fiske Foundry in NY, dates from the mid 1800's and was at the Nashville residence of our 11th President. It's now in the courtyard of the James K. Polk Ancestral Home in Columbia, TN. We did the full restoration and used TNEMEC epoxy primers and polyurethane topcoats.
Coalbrookdale bench
This beautiful cast iron bench from the Coalbrookdale Foundry has a British Registry Stamp of 1847. Completely restored by us with mahogany slats and painted Black Forest Green to match the fountain, this piece resides in the courtyard of the James K. Polk Ancestral Home in Columbia, TN.
Copper tub surround
Our friend and rockstar realtor Katie Baker wanted this heavily stained copper tub surround cleaned to a salmon pink color and matte clear coated for her remodeled master bath. Oh the things we learned on this project! When copper is de-tarnished it has a salmon pink color...for about an hour. Then it starts the patina process on its own. It was a bear getting such large areas de-tarnished and consistent in color to then clear coat. Thankfully I was introduced to Joe at Everbrite Coatings who got me the products I needed to make this project a success. Katie even mentioned us in her article in our local magazine!
Antique copper cauldron
This heirloom piece belonged to our customer's great-grandfather. The goal was a matte, unpolished look for the copper and keeping the rusted stand unfinished. We removed the cauldron from the stand and media blasted it to remove the old patina. It sits by the fireplace now and provides wonderful memories.
Cast Iron vases at the James K Polk grave in Nashville, TN
These cast iron urns flank the graves of President James K Polk and his wife Sarah at the TN State Capital in Nashville and had been badly damaged over the years. Our restoration included making molds and reforming missing sections of the bowl lips.
1915 Barnes Drill
Delivered by tow truck, this beast of a machine exemplified American industry. It arrived covered in 80+ years of cutting oil that had hardened to resin. We degreased, blasted where possible, chemical stripped where necessary, primed, and painted. Beautiful tool!