Thought I would make a seperate thread for this show. Now I do like the show. I feel it interesting to see the items, and to watch the restoration process. However, i also feel that Rick Dale charges astronomical pricing.
I think Rick's Restorations would be a cool place to work. I like the idea of doing so many different items. You just would never know what is coming in to be restored. And I am sure, one could learn a lot there, if one wanted to. It would be great.
I just saw Rick quote 4,000 to restore a Sterling bike. Of course the bike was old. But that is crazy money. A nice paint job would not cost near that much.
Mantique restorations are like Hollywood women. As long as it looks good on the outside, and gives you what you want, it doesn't matter if the undercarriage is original.
-- Edited by jakemac on Thursday 6th of December 2012 04:08:39 PM
In last nite's episode of American Restoration, Rick Harrison from Gold and Silver Pawn bought an early Pepsi machine. Rick then took the machine to Rick Dale's Restoration shop. When the Pepsi machine was taken apart, they found that it was painted red from the factory. Now of course most Pepsi machines were either yellow or blue, but for some reason this one was red. Rick Dale decided that it should be painted blue. I thought this was a mistake, as the machine could have been special in some way. But it seems as though Rick Dale did not research the machine. He just went ahead and painted it blue.
Wouldn't it have been more valuable if it was put back the way it came from the factory, which was red????
I dont know guapo, you watch the wyatt gun show and they painted one automatic pistol with the american flag for 2000.00. I bet Rick has gotten used a few times with people wanting a cheap restoration then tripling their money at an auction. Even on gas monkey they end up with a 7000.00 paint job on the ford coupe and it was one color.
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Welcome to the American Chopper and Politics forum, where you dont have the right to your opinion, but you have the right to be wrong.
I felt the same way as El about the Red Pepsi machine - That it should have stayed red. However, I understand why he recommended to Rick that it go blue. Sure, Rick might have gotten more money for the red machine, but Rick isn't interested in getting top collector's value for anything if it is going to sit for years waiting for the fanatic collector. He wants to get top dollar for a quick turnover. It was sad, but purely a business decision.
It's a shame that they couldn't have tracked down the story on it.
We all know there are (only) two reasons that Brettly is present on the show, and at their facility... (and they're obviously volume enhanced via silicone, peanut oil, or saline)
We all know there are (only) two reasons that Brettly is present on the show, and at their facility... (and they're obviously volume enhanced via silicone, peanut oil, or saline)
Sure, and Brettly is Rick's stepson. But look at Rick's son Tyler, He's a shop foreman with about as much intelligence as Brettly.
Many times nepotism can get someone farther than skill and experience alone.
Mikey Tuetul's career is another example.
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...The hardest working people at PJD are; the T-shirt Guy, Painter, Plater, UPS guy, and now.... the nanny.
They restored that machine for resale. If that machine would sell for $100.00 more red, then they just screwed up, but the are looking for the quick sale and blue for Pepsi is expected. If it would get twice as much red, then they can just repaint.
It will make no difference because they have already removed the original paint.
I agree they should have done some research prior to restoration, but that would have been for the pawn shop to do.
Anyone paying attention to the Kiddie ride that Rick Dale was showing as a item to restore for a client. It was part of a Pawn Stars episode that Chumlee purchased it. Then the old Man had he put it out front the Pawn Shop to hustle up money.
Izzy Ryder wrote:The newest trend in vintage milfs are the "Survivor" girls. 100% original in every way. Other than cleaning and polishing, no restoration done whatsoever. Original paint, exterior, organs, etc.... Like a time capsule into the past.
Some "Survivors" are bringing 6 digit prices in the big auctions.
This chick with a 66' Corvette is one fine example (40k smiles and completely unrestored)....
This one is worth seven figures (certificate of Survivor status available):
...despite being driven home many, many times in the '80s.
Anyone paying attention to the Kiddie ride that Rick Dale was showing as a item to restore for a client. It was part of a Pawn Stars episode that Chumlee purchased it. Then the old Man had he put it out front the Pawn Shop to hustle up money.
Yep, saw that, and was appalled at their contempt for the intelligence of the viewership! I have almost zero respect for the entire operation. As for the red Pepsi machine; from what I recall of watching my cousins straighten quarter panels, doors, deck lids, valance panels, hoods (bonnets in Aussieland), roofs, whatever, they never EVER hammered a dent from behind, as it stretches the metal. They would have used a porta-power to slowly jack the dent out, then worked the metal using body hammers, slap irons (bumping files), dolly blocks, and vixen files. Areas which were difficult to reach often received a novel method using a torch set to a brazing setting, "drawing" the metal out with the heat, then filing the hell out of it with a vixen file.
When a quarter panel was in need of replacement, they "split" the seams, oxy-acetylene ("steel-welded") any spot weld holes, removed the old lead, and literally duplicated the factory install, including the lead seam. The lone difference to that rule, was vehicles produced by Audi/Volkswagen, because they were never able to duplicate the caulking (of the door/trunk seams) to the degree desired.
Donald "P", who worked there for over forty years, would finish grind a panel into a thing of beauty. People used to specify their desire for "Donnie" to perform the work on their vehicles. When he finished with a job, it was perfect. I remember seeing the end result of his straightening both ALUMINUM doors on a 1950-something Jaguar (I believe that it was an XK-120).
To have had the privilege to have grown up watching real craftsmen like the (what the hell) Plank brothers, and see someone the likes of Rick Dale butcher stuff, and after smearing the proper amount of bull****, have the end customer "swoon" over it is appalling, just plain appalling!
Anyone paying attention to the Kiddie ride that Rick Dale was showing as a item to restore for a client. It was part of a Pawn Stars episode that Chumlee purchased it. Then the old Man had he put it out front the Pawn Shop to hustle up money.
Yep, saw that, and was appalled at their contempt for the intelligence of the viewership!
So there is no chance someone bought the thing and asked where they could get it restored? The never had a problem with the crossover stuff, from the 57 to the pedal car, there is no way the old man would have paid that much to restore the kiddie ride.
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Welcome to the American Chopper and Politics forum, where you dont have the right to your opinion, but you have the right to be wrong.
If my friend at Blue Ridge Communications, my cable provider, is correct, there will be another start-up network coming on-line soon. Their goal is to cover antiques, collectables, restorations, etc, and so on and so forth.
They supposedly propositioned a bunch of YouTube's better restoration channel operators, with the offer of a three camera, constant feed setup, which feeds to the production company. If this is the case, and it comes to fruition, Rick Dale will soon be moving back to his former haunts, because his business will dry up after viewers see how things are done in the real world, with real-world pricing (and zero body filler and clear coats used).
I read somewhere where the Harrison's and Chumlee no longer wait on customers, for multiple reasons. (in fact, I believe it was stated within this forum)
Reality TV is probably on it's way out, as viewers have had their fill of obviously staged situations.
Rick Dale hit an all-new low with the season premiere of American Restoration last evening. Five thousand dollars to do minor body work, paint, re-chrome a few parts, cadmium plate a few parts, and supply a new vacuum hose for a Model "B" Rexair Vacuum Cleaner??
What made me feel like he's reached an all-time low, is the fact that the customer was extremely hearing impaired, making him a target for/of deception. It seemed that once the prospective customer stated that he "was involved with the manufacturer, and would place the completed work in a museum", it was as if Rick saw "meal ticket" written across his chest.
People born with hearing impairment have a much higher than average occurrence of genetically based urinary tract involvement and nephritic syndrome disorders, then the general public. I've seen at least one hundred patients, both male and female, with the associated malady. To take advantage of someone who is disabled is appalling, and to do it with a smile, is cold-hearted. Look up U.S. Patent No. 2,188,031 for information on the theory and operation of the vacuum, and a diagram of the impeller and motor drive systems, which remained largely unchanged until the early 1960's.
The contempt which I held for Rick has since reached what could best be termed as a total state of disgust.
I'm sure that he will get his comeuppance when his new wife tires of him....
I wish someone would do a docu-entertainment program of maybe a Jewelry shop that does repairs and restorations of Pokcet Watches, and Antique Jewelery. I have always been interested in that subject of the Jeweled movements, and the neat way the engraving patterns in the movements
Do you guys feel that the astronomical pricing that Rick Dale quotes for restoring items, is due to it being on TV. Like that high price includes you being on TV for a segment???????
I remember that someone had contacted PJD about pricing on a bike, and Joe asked whether they wanted an on-air build or off air build. So there definitely was different pricing.
But I said before, PJD or OCC on air builds is not only a motorcycle, but two shows worth of mentioning the company name. Rick Dale just uses tv for pressure. I still think the price is negotiated off camera, but who wants to restore something for their wife or grandchild and go on tv and say its too much money.
There are not alot of people that do quality like rick dale does, the body man on the crew is the most talented person, but dealing with one piece plating of some custom parts here at 2-300.oo minimums depending on how much they are polishing the copper before the chrome is an expensive business with a 4-6 week turnaround. You gotta pay to get your parts moved up.
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Welcome to the American Chopper and Politics forum, where you dont have the right to your opinion, but you have the right to be wrong.
That horse's ass would even make an attempt to sell horsesh*t to an Amishman.... Jake, if you are going to use anything to neutralize and convert rust to a paintable surface, go to an autobody supply store and purchase "SEM Rust Mort", as it has been on the market for about 35 years, and has an excellent record of success.
I prefer EvapoRust because it's non-toxic. I can use it in the house without worrying about fumes. It won't effect rubber, paint, or vinyl handle grips. It's re-useable and when it's time to dispose of it, I only have to filter out the iron deposits and pour it down the drain ( I dump it in the woods). No hazmat issues.
Another solution is to use white vinegar and salt (1 gallon / 1 cup). This takes longer, is more caustic, smells, and the vinegar fumes will make you cry. It is MUCH cheaper though.
Both will dissolve rust down to bare metal, rather than convert it to a black inert material. Cleaning and polishing will be needed, and a light oiling is needed to prevent flash rusting of the bare metal.
Before and After using EvapoRust :
-- Edited by jakemac on Friday 5th of July 2013 12:05:01 PM
-- Edited by jakemac on Friday 5th of July 2013 12:06:52 PM
