La crosse model 56 pepsi machine

[Monkey Boy]

Seasons greetings to all I'm new here, and hope to learn enough information so that I can restore my old La Crosse model 56 Pepsi Machine...... So I can fill it with beer and pop out in my garage. Anyone know where I can find a place dedicated to these? I bought the machine for $75.00 and it's all there. It's faded and has a few dents on the back, and a small one in the front. I picked the change box lock, and got it open. The other lock didn't cooperate so I drilled it out.... Probably should stopped in here before doing that. It drilled out fine but will I be able to replace lock?  I plugged it in and the fan works but the one on the compressor isn't fairing so well. Haven't dug into it far enough yet to tell whats all wrong. I've removed the door, shelves, and othe misc. items. I'm going to disassemble what I can and send it to be painted. The plastic Pepsi sign is in good condition, but I touched the back side and some of the white rubbed off......I never have much luck searching for information on the internet so can anyone direct me the right direction with this? SOoooo far I haven't had much luck so I could really use a LOT of information......Thanks in advance and Happy Holidays

[johnieG]

Welcome to the website, first thing I can tell you is you got to post a picture, it helps a lot in identifing your machines model, & condition, plus, it help those who don't know what your particular machine looks like to assit you...LaCrosse machines are pretty neat, but there are many differences between a LC64-ILL & an LC100-ILL,   are you sure it's a "56"? double check the model no. on the ID tag...

Yea, and don't touch the back of any painted lightup sign (oops!) the silk-screen paint on these type of signs is usually dry-rotted from being so close to the lamp (UV ages the paint & makes it "dusty") to salvage the sign, you'll need a piece of thin white plastic cut to fit (but not touching) the back of the sign, this will help hid the spot were you rubbed through the paint)...there are many suppliers for the "classic" 50's round-cornered machines, but parts for the 60's square-cornered
60's machines like LaCrosse's are hard to come by, so if it's rough enough, you'll be looking for a new machine, or a parts "doner" of the same model (that's why we need pictures)hint hint...hope you'll stick around, I just sold a LaCrosse LVC64-ILL on Ebay, here's a picture to give you an idea of what it looks like...

[Monkey Boy]

http://www.soda-machines.com/machines/index.html    I don't have a digital camera so the picture from our site will have to do....It's just like this one except with your Pepsi color scheme. I wish my sign was nice and colorful as yours, but mine just says Pepsi in big black letters. I wish some one had a sign in better condition to look at. As mentioned there is a powdery white substance on the inside that I kind of rubbed a little of it off.  From what I remember it has what looks like tiny bubbles in this area. Black "Pepsi" script in the center..... The mystery part of the sign is the area around the letters what ever was on there has since flaked off. It appeared to be white or silver. Anyway most of it has flaked off. The machine is all there, but the cooling mechanism needs work, and the cabinet requires paint. I hope to get the correct paint codes from someone also. Over the Christmas break I hope to do more work on it and will have more questions. One that I can think of is where do you get one of those special screw drivers for the oddball screws? I made one but it isn't perfect..... Although I'll probably go back with stainless phillips heads.

[Monkey Boy]

I forgot to mention it also has a rack for empty bottles.  It was screwed into the side of the machine. It's an interesting addition but it needs attention as well. I just want it to look good when it's finished and not tacky. Doe's anyone have a picture of how they were installed? I would like to do it like it was original. It also has a card above coin slot that that says 10 cents made of colored paper... like a business card. Is this correct? As mentioned I'm going to have loads of questions.

[BrianB]

Welcome aboard Monkey boy! You've come to the right place to find help in starting your new found hobby!

This site has the best and most concise info on soda pop machines on the web hands down.

The empty bottle rack basically mounts on the side of the machine, usually on the same side as the bottle door. Typically uses four machine screws and it's up to you how high you want to mount it. I usually see them mounted to where the highest point (the outside of the highest bottle holder) is level with the top of the machine. If that's not feasible, mount it to where it's comfortable to get at.

The oddball screws are known as Clutchhead screws. The slot on the head looks like an hourglass and are pretty much impossible to find new anymore. You can find the driver for it in a lot of commercially available tool sets. Almost all of the cheap-o tool sets as weel as Craftsman have them. Most folks go with either stainless phillips or zinc phillips.

[Monkey Boy]

Thanks Brian B I went to Sears and found them... I had several days off during Christmas and didn't do much. I got the screwdriver tips on the last day. I took machine completely a part on the inside because of a couple of dents on the back side of machine. I pounded out the dents to some degree. Encountered mystery insulation that I treated as if it was the bad stuff. Probably was but I took precautions to some degree and discarded it. I approached a friend at work about painting the exterior and I'm looking for the paint codes for a Pepsi machine. Are these available here? Also how much do you think it will run to have the machine painted? Never done this before so I hope some one can put me in the ball park......
  I also have some questions about what to do with door trim. Its silver but not chrome looking..... Should I paint it with a satin finish silver? I fixed the wire harness and got the cooling fan to blow but the other fan under machine never kicked on. Should I see about having this fixed or buying a refurbished one? Whats the name of the place that sells these? Looking forward to filling this thing with ICE COLD REFRESHING BEER

[Monkey Boy]

Took a part the door today. I kept looking at this thing wondering how I could get inside. I finally noticed that on the back side the galvanized interior of the door that it only went to just under the seals at the edge of the door. Anyway it was attached by little nails. I pulled them with a pair of pliers and revealed the interior. The reason why I took it a part was because the decorative face of the door had about a half dollar size dent and one closer to bottom that wasn't quite as big. I hammered them out and it looks real good now. If anyone can help I still need Paint codes for a Pepsi machine the same colors as the one pictured above. Any advice you can give me about dealing with the compressor. Should I buy a new one, or should I say do they offer one? Oh and also the coin return needs to be rechromed who does this? Any recommendations? I also need to replace spring in glass door.... Or should I just add a magnet to keep it closed. Can't figure out how to get handle off of glass door. HELP....Thanks in advance '> Sorry if I ask to many questions.....

[BryanH]

MB - I'll take a crack at most of your questions:

There are several references to paint codes in the forums.  The ones I've captured for 50s/60s Pepsi are:
DuPont   95605   Light Blue   
DuPont   96581   Darker Light Blue   
I had my local Sherwin Williams auto dealer cross reference the 95605.  Nice color but it did come out lighter (YOu can see what it looked like in the restorations gallery) than Johnie's machine above.  No idea what the 96581 looks like.  Paint alone will be between $100 - $200 for high quality paint.  Labor will depend on how bad the machine is and how much prep you do yourself.

The trim around the door is generally something that needs to be trown out. Some people have found auto trim that is similar.  You'll have to search the forums to figure out who.  When I redid my VMC56, I just pulled the trim off and filled the holes.

Bezels like the coin return can be rechromed if you can't find a replacement... can be expensive unless you have lots of parts to justify the shops effort.

Need to take the door off to get the handle off.  Door is two interlocking pieces that sandwich the glass and gasket.  Take all the screws out of the side (inlunding the hinge) and pry the inside frame out of the outside.  Handle is screwed into the outisde frame from the inside.

[Monkey Boy]

Lots of Brian/Bryans here...I'm Brian Davis and I appreciate the help. Is it hard to get the double pain glass out? I poked at it a little yesterday, but didn't go very far. It looks like the coin return is rivited in. So I may have a problem getting that out so that it can be rechromed..... The trim around the outside of the machine isn't that bad. I may have to sand a few nicks out but other that that it should be fine. I am however having some trouble with the blue gasket  on inside of door.... I first tried to clean it with Windex. Why I don't know. I then went with that new cleaner with bleach in it. Not much better. I then tried a Scotch Brite pad and it still didn't help much. I had some luck with Carbueretor cleaner but didn't go far because of time.... Anyway the gasket is in real good shape just dirty, and moldy mildew covered..... I don't want to remove it if I don't have to. The only other thing I could do if Carb cleaner and elbow grease doesn't work is remove it an throw it into bleach....Anybody ever experience this?

[BryanH]

Hey Brian - It comes out pretty easy.  Use a flat screwdriver to lift inside edge (the hinge side) of the internal frame.  It's a snug fit but the frame protects the glass. In the pic below the external frame is on the left.  The internal frame is on the right and it's open side (the left) fits into the external frame under the the left side lip and then 'snaps' down on the right side.

Btw - I think your bottle door should have 3 panes of glass or plexi.  The gasket holds the middle pane and is then sandwiched between two other panes that are held by the door frame.

As for cleaning the door gasket...  Try "Simple Green".  Spray it and let it sit then gently scrub with a toothbrush.  If that doesn't get it clean enough for you then, unless someone here has a better trick, I think you'll need to take the gasket off and let it sit submerged in water and Simple Green (or other degreaser) for awhile the scrub then repeat until you are happy.  Last option is to completely replace the gasket.

[BryanH]

Would have helped if I added the pictures.

[Monkey Boy]

Yes that will help a lot thank you. NOW for my next question. The other day it occured to me that my machine may not work. I plug it in and the light in the bottle door would come on. The Compressor fan would blow slightly cooled air. My question after I get it painted, cleaned up, and back together is will it vend. If it won't vend by putting coins in it, and I can't find a new one to fix it... Then what? Can these things be rigged to just light up, cool drinks, and allow you to pull out bottles without money? This thing is going to be out in my garage. Probably full of beer and some pop. I'll keep an accurate count of the beer because I've got a 17 year old boy. That however is what I want it to do just cool my drinks and free vend if coins mechanism is broke.

[Creighton]

MB,
Entirely possible to do what you want (well can't watch the 17 yr. old)JonnieG has a great post on free vend. A search on free vend should bring it up.
Creighton

[Monkey Boy]

Any recomendations on a good HVLP gun? I'm thinking maybe I do want to do this myself. Might be fun anyway. I'm going to sand it down this weekend if time permits. I'm trying to stay focused on this while the weather has been favorable here in Kansas. NEVER seen anything like it 50 - 70 for about the last 30 days. The other night it snowed a generous amount and was in the 50's that afternoon.

[Monkey Boy]

Thanks for all of the help guys. I have had a fun time so far taking this thing a part.  I hope you are as helpful when it comes time to put it together. I'll probably remember enough to get it together, but I'm sure I'll end up with some extra parts. Anyway I hope to sand it down this weekend if weather permits. Because I'm going to do it outside for the ventilation. I took the rubber door seals that were stapled on off. I've got one end of the lower seal dipped into an old milk bottle full of Clorox and water. It seems to be working, and I didn't ignore the Simple Green suggestion, I just don't have any.... I'll get some if this doesn't work. I've heard of it but have never noticed it at the store. Can you find it at Wal-Mart?
  I also got the coin return off by drilling a couple access holes in back for screw driver. Not sure how good of idea that was but I'll cover it in aluminum tape.
  MY NEXT QUESTION: I keep taking more and more of this thing a part which is great. Cabinet is completely disassembled, and the door is getting that way. My question is because there is some rust on outside of door next to trim. How do I remove trim?

[Monkey Boy]

Above two questions plus this... I took a part coin return and found that there were two potential coin returns to choose from. I unscrewed the return and found a cast aluminum one internal to the door which says change. It has kind of a normal script. The chrome one on exterior of door has a 70's look to it. They use the same screw hole patern, and were hooked together.... Thought that was kind of strange. Anyway I wish I had a camera to show you but I don't. So would I be better off just using the aluminum one or having the other rechromed? The reason I ask is because the chrome one has some pitting on it. I haven't ever had anything rechromed so I'm not sure if this is a problem. The word "Change" is kind of tightly cast on chrome one. There is pitting around these letters also. I'm not sure of their capabilities.

[BryanH]

Quote (Monkey Boy @ Jan. 13 2006,10:36)

I'll probably remember enough to get it together, but I'm sure I'll end up with some extra parts.

Take lots & lots of pictures... Many pics that you see posted over the boards here are from our our tear-downs.  Also put all the small pieces in labelled baggies.  There was a really good discussion on tips for rookies about a year ago.  Search on rookie or journeyman.

Quote (Monkey Boy @ Jan. 13 2006,10:36)

I've got one end of the lower seal dipped into an old milk bottle full of Clorox and water. It seems to be working, and I didn't ignore the Simple Green suggestion, I just don't have any.... I'll get some if this doesn't work. I've heard of it but have never noticed it at the store. Can you find it at Wal-Mart?

I'd be careful of Clorex.  Not sure what it will do to the plastic.  There are different types of Simple Green.  I bought the auto degreaser because it was supposed to be stronger. Found it at the local auto parts store... don't know about Walmart.

Quote (Monkey Boy @ Jan. 13 2006,10:36)

My question is because there is some rust on outside of door next to trim. How do I remove trim?

Most often they are clips.  Use a screw driver or paint scraper to get under the edge and gently pry up.  More detail on this can be found be searching the forums on trim... some good pics also if I remember.

[Monkey Boy]

Well I ask advice and sometimes I just proceed anyway.... That's bit me in the Azz a few times. I didn't have any "Simple Green" so I was soaking in it prior to warning. Anyway I'm not really sure if anything bad came of it, but it didn't turn out as I hoped. The seal was a baby blue color, and the Clorox removed the mildew from that. I think it was more the sun than anything else though. The visible edge is now white with a faint  hint of blue. The mildew had ate itself down into the seal and is still visible in some places. I tried as mentioned an abrasive "Scotch Brite" pad and didn't make a dent in it. I pulled it out of the water and scraped it off with my finger nail after it sit all night. Now as mentioned there is some trace of mildew which seems to be deep into the seal. Seal for the most part looks fine just faded. I scraped off what I could and tossed it back in. What the #### I'm either going to save this one or replace it anyway. The bottom side seal which is only two foot long looks great because it never saw the sun, but was just as mildewed. The Sun ate at it for years, and the mildew went deeper in some areas. If nothing else the seal is good enough to re-use but is faded on the edge that is visible when machine is closed. I may look into having this edge painted... I guess that's possible.  I'm going to go out there today and try to remove the trim. I've got to learn to be patient on these matters though. So that there isn't any problems that can't be fixed.

[Monkey Boy]

could'nt get edge trim off but did get off the other trim in the middle. I could see notches under the boards from the inside. Thought about taking the boards out to get access but I'm not getting in to it that far.... Ended up drilling through board down to screw. The outer trim has numerous nicks in it but I think I can sand those out. I took a vixon file to the top edge. Trim is made of aluminum and I got that Baby shinning. I've still got a long way to go but It'll all come out. Thinking about buying a polisher from Eastwood and going with a polished look. Weather is supposed to be good Sunday so I hope to sand off paint.....Hope I'm not Iritating anyone with this I'm just working through it, and welcome any and all help. Thanks!

[Monkey Boy]

Hey does anyone have the Pepsi sticker I'm looking for? It's a 6" by 6"square sticker with a gold band on top and bottom. It has a 3" Pepsi bottle cap centered in the background. It says Pepsi Cola across the length of the sticker with the smaller bottle cap behind it. The bottom gold band says (Say, "Pepsi please") Not sure if top golden band says anything.....It no longer exists. Was told that it could be made by someone if I had a digital picture of one. I guess that's right I don't know.

[Eric]

I think the decal you talking about is sold by soda jerk works they advertise here on the
site.... they are a water release and are really nice.

[Monkey Boy]

I hate to ask this but if you can find what I described on there help me find it.... I looked and don't see it. Not the first time that I've missed the obvious. Not sure if you can do it but can someone bring the picture over and post it here. That way I can confirm that it is the correct one. For that fact is that the correct one for a La Crosse 56 Pepsi machine?

[BryanH]

MB - just go to www.sodajerkworks.com and seach on pepsi decal.  If I remember right you'll et two hits.  One for double dot decals and another for single dot.  The decals are generic pepsi... That is there is no special Lacrosse or Vendorlator decals.

[Monkey Boy]

I looked the other day for them and those were the ones I found. They aren't like the one that was on the machine though. Is that what I'll end up settling for? I take it that they don't make anything else for the Later model machines...That's the bad thing about owning a less popular machine I guess. Not sure what they call it but I thought the process of taking a digital picture then "           " was the new way for getting stickers..... Has anyone ever seen the one that I described above? I may just take a picture of what i got and have it painted on. Thanks Bryan H I thought I was just missing them when I first searched for them. Those are the ones I found too.