SMC Discussion Areas

I tried to post this earlier and got an error.  Hopefully this is not a duplicate.  I have slowly, very slowly, been working on my first machines.  Today I got a pic sent over from my painter.  I am really excited and had to share it.  Not only do I think the paint looks great, but I really think it has a bit of an artistic look to the photo with the 81 door hanging in the booth and the other parts sitting in the background.  Going out to see them in person on Sunday.  What do you guys think?  The original condition pics are also attached.

Nice!
An exciting feeling to bring home a baby!
Congrats!

Looking good.  Does you painter do a lot of machines?  Just asking because of the other in the background.

Nice paint job

He mostly does hot rod restoration.   Has done it on the side for a long time and recently went to doing it as his full time job.  Mine are the first soda machines he has done.  I am doing two machines so all of the pieces in the picture are part of my machines.

LOOKS GOOD!

As well as being a collector of these great machines, I also dabble in photogaphy (weddings mainly friends and family) and yes, that pic does have a artistic look... It kinda looks like a rock and roll album cover... ya got the lead singer up front, the lead guitar behind, then the drummer ... lol....

How did he do the lettering?

Looks very nice Brian ! ! !
I'm finishing up my V-81B and just got mine back from the painter as well...
Once closer to being finished, I'll post a few photos as well...

Yours looks great though and it looks like your decals are under the clear too!

Jim,

You are correct, the decals are under the clear.  I really wanted it that way, especially for the text on the coin door.  I could just picture someone asking "is this paint or a decal"  as they pick at it with there fingernail.  Hopefully the clear will help protect them from that.  Had a concern that the clear might "fisheye" over the larger decals but my guy didn't have a concern and is pleased with the results.  Going to see them in the morning.

Those look outstanding!!!  I hope to begin work on the 149 cabinet I have here soon.  I've seen decals on top and under the clear, so I'm hoping to do as your painter did and put them under the clear.  I just hope I don't have any issues as you mentioned.  Just another question to all you experts since we're on this topic...do you do the embossed painting over or under the clear?  Seems I recall seeing it done both ways, just wondering which is the "correct" or best way to do it.  Thanks.

Bonovox,

He was going to handpaint them, but being a hot rod guy he took more of a pinstriping technique.  Painted the entire machine in red then masked off the lettering and painted the top in white.  Pulled of the masking and the red lettering is what was left.  I would say they are not perfect, but they look pretty good.  The "Vendo" lettering at the bottom was done by hand since it was fairly small.  What do you think?

They look great...

I've tried the vinyl lettering and clearing over it and it all bubbled up and had to remove it all and the clear,, made a mess... but wanted to give it a go once.

I usually have them hand lettered by a sign painter and will continue to do that as I like the full look of that better... the vinyl is just a little too skinny in spots and looks like it doesn't fit on the lettering just right.

This is somewhat self indulgent, but I am starting to make a bit of progress and when I ask the wife what she thinks I get one of those "yes dear, thats very nice" looks.  So I thought I would throw up a couple pics to a more interested audience.  I spent the last two evenings trying to remember how bottle stacks get reassembled.  Got the 81 stack put back together last night and the 56 stack the night before.  Fortunately they are basicly carbon copies of each other so only had to solve once and then repeat.  My 9 year old likes puzzles so we sat down and figured it out together.  He's pretty sure his contribution gives him ownership rights. :biggrin: