Wd-5 it's alive!

ey all, I'm from the NY area and a total novice to vending machines in general, but I stumbled into what I'm hoping is a buy. I got a WD-5, that has some issues, but is in pretty good shape over all.
It's been badly repainted, just a sloppy spray-paint job with too deep a red (and pathetic attempt to hand paint the front Coke logo white), but I don't see much if any raised or pitted spots indicating bad rust. The door seal is shot, and there's some rust on the interior galvanized baskets, but not horrible The cord has been replaced, and there may be some rust on the compressor, but it blows cool. I hope to use this to sell bottled sodas in my store. I paid less than $500, but can't really afford a full $3,000 restoration. I'm pretty handy, have some limited experience working on and cleaning up metal
Thanks for your thoughts.

[Bob K]

Welcome Trew!

You're in the right place!  

Bob

[MoonDawg]

Welcome! With a gallon of laquer thinner start on the back and clean off that cheap spraypaint and letters, then you will see what you have underneath to work with. You may find good original color.
      A complete $3000.00 restoration usually includes rebuilding coin mechanisms, bottle dispensers and compressors.  You only need paint and gaskets, but I may advise you to have this one professionally painted.  If you really want to do it yourself,first read prior posts on this subject. Then practice painting on an embossed chest of much lesser value, and learn from your own mistakes. The big coolers are cheap and easy to find.
      You have a rare and desirable machine, please send us pictures when it's done.

[BrianB]

Welcome, Trew! Great to have you aboard here at SMC. Can't wait to see some pictures of your WD-5.

[BryanH]

Trew - welcome and post some pics... Always nice to see before and after.  Any questions at all - try searching these boards for posts.  If you can't find exactly what you need just ask.  Chances are someone here can answer it.

Thanks all for the warm welcome.
Further inspection has revealed some original paint on the back, yay! Some of the cheap spray paint on the black handle (boo!) A one-and-a-half inch dent on the back, on the sort of fin-shaped verticle piece on the right (meh.) a fine crack about an inch, inch and a half on the lid, and that the square metal rim around the inside of the lid (where the gasket is mounted) is pretty heavily rusted. Apparently someone was using this for some time after the seals had given way. (Boo!) Oh, and cheap silver spray paint on the baskets inside. grrr =(  
Thanks for the caution, my plan was to take it to a good auto-body shop for painting, figuring they know how to spray smoothly, and do nice detail work.
These are pictures the seller took, I'll try to take some decent ones showing my areas of concern.
Again, thank you all.
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[BrianB]

Thanks for the pic's! Looks like you scored a pretty solid machine. Yeah, if you don't have the skills and are looking for a quality paint job, a pro is the best route. Painting is about the only thing that I haven't tried to tackle yet......yet! '>

Grrr... First body shop I talked to said $500.... if I strip it.
"Red is very expensive.You can't pick a more expensive color."
Arro?

[globalcompressors]

Great little machine! keep us posted.

Eric