Looking to finally restore 81a this year - question about level of restoration

[photogman]

I haven't posted for a couple of years and life has kept me from restoration until now when I feel like I am ready to tackle it.  My biggest question is have you ever heard of anyone/yourself that restores the whole inside and outside except for the paint job?  All my friends and my wife think it looks good enough on the outside and think it should retain its original paint and character. 

Here is the still working website of pics I have taken.     http://www.nylen.com/pics/archival/81a/

It has a dent on the top near the door which I think needs to be pounded out but that about it.  I would really like to get your opinion about me doing everything but the paint on the outside.  Thanks

[MaineT]

You couldn't pay me enough to restore that survivor!! I would refinish the bottom of the inside, send out a little chrome, and call that bad boy done!! I would want that over a restored machine any day!!

[bcharlton]

Most of the time, I restore everything regardless of it's"original condition"  but I would make an exception in this case.  Chrome and a little powder coat and enjoy.

BC

[photogman]

I'm thinking re chrome everything, new wiring, maybe spray inside with Line-X, spray on insulation?? And leave outside paint original.  Send out cooling unit and also send out coin changer for overhaul.

[Jonathan816]

I agree, don't touch the outside.. fix up the inside... looks great on the outside..

[Marvin]

That machine is way to nice outside to restore.  Remove the inner parts and clean / paint / powdercoat and leave the rest alone.

[photogman]

I want to get rid of any rust inside.  Is the best way to restore to put everything in plastic bags, label it and take tons of pictures as you take it apart?  And do they sell a definitive restoration book that tells you the ins and outs of the process?  Thanks for your responses.  I can see this is just the start of many, many questions I will have and I hope you don't get tired of me asking questions. 

I heard there is no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people asking questions:)

[msanborn]

Agree, way too nice to restore the outside of that machine.  Take pictures every step of the way, I would replace every screw with a stainless screw, (funtronics sells an entire kit) You would be amazed how well the inside will clean up with a little elbow grease, just be careful.  Good luck. 

[collecture]

I bet that when you remove the evap, you will find pinholes underneath. I would remove the whole liner and old insulation. Treat any visible rust issues on the inside and new insulation. I didn't go that far with mine, but wish I had.
Diluted CLR works well for cleaning up the calcium buid-up. POR15 will self level into the pinholes - I used POR for my bottom pan and left the rest original.
I'd leave the chrome the way it is.
An unobtrusive cleaning of the coin mech can be done.
New fans, T-stat and a good cleaning of the compressor area are always needed.
IMO - The best refurbishment is one that is not readily visible. 

[coke_and_stuff]

If you restore that machine you should be banned from this site!!! Thats one of the cleanest 81A's that ive seen awesome survivor machine!!!

Yes take it apart, clean it detail it, pull the tub replace the insulation etc But PLEASE do not restore it!!!

Joey

[photogman]

Ok, as I take this apart I will post copius amounts of pictures and everybody can weigh in and be a part of this journey.

[wee]

Has it been repainted some time in the past.....? I wish my vendo 80 was that nice on the outside....Inside they looked about the same as far as condition goes....I just did a good cleaning, rewire and paint on the inside...Outside I left as is....But the outside of mine doesn't look anywhere as nice as yours. I took a tons of pics and kept a blog of the whole process.....This was the first machine I had ever worked on but you might find some useful info on the blog.

www.vendo80.blogspot.com

Brian

[photogman]

All original.

[wee]

WOW.....

[TheGarbageHunter]

 Enjoy it as is!

If you feel like wasting some money send it to me.

[SIGNGUY]

Yeah wow, nice original,, yes refurbishment is what I call what needs to be done here..

couple of other points I'd say is don't rechrome anything.. polish what you have.. new chrome will look out of place on it.. it's ok if it has some blemishes, heck it's over 50 years old..

but yes make sure to take apart the whole machine,, you will have rust on the inside bottom pan and hopefully not too bad that it can' be cleaned up and then stopped with some rust stop and then some POR 15 ... as long as it didn't go through the outter shell... but you won't know till you start cleaning it up from the inside out.. just go slow and be patient..

Looks Great.. would love ot have an nice original A like that...

[photogman]

SIGNGUY, that sounds like a good description - refurbishment.  But like you say, take it apart so you know what you have.  Heck, I don't even know where to start when taking it apart. Mi guess start with what comes off the easiest and then go from there, putting everything in little zip lock bags and put the little bags into larger group together bags, labeling everything and taken tons of pics and maybe even videos of areas that seem complicated. 

Thanks everybody for your advice and willingness to help!  This is a great forum.