Build sheet restoration
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Grayslake IL.
Build sheet restoration
My build sheet is in bad shape. I'm afraid to even remove it from the tank. Is there anybody out there that can help me save and restore my build sheet?
Thanks
Mike
Thanks
Mike
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 656
Likes: 17
From: Northeastern PA
I have removed many tank sheets. Everyone has an opinion. Here is mine.
You either cut the gas tank as suggested, or you use a straight blade razor and remove the paper..including the glue. I suggest the latter. From there, you can tape it together from the backside, or if in pieces you can paste it on a copy you made of a similar tank sticker. Then. laminate it so it is sealed and preserved forever.
One I removed was so dark that you could not read much even though the paper was mostly there and in one piece. I sent it to Kansas to one of those places that does museum restoration work. They could not do anything with it. When I got it back, I put it on a piece of stiff plastic, sprayed it heavy with Simple Green, let it soak some (no scrubbing), rinsed it with water and let it dry for a couple days until it would come loose from the plastic without effort. I was amazed at how much better it was. I could read everything.
Another time, I bought a car and the owner said the tank sheet had been removed and was not worth anything as he left it on his workbench and the mice chewed it up. I said I want it anyway. A few days later, a letter arrived with many little pieces in it. I found a tank sheet that was similar in my many copies, made a copy of that copy and began pasting the pieces on the copy. When done, I was able to look at something with meaning. Turns out it was an 67 L68 (427/400 tripower). Without those pieces, I would not have been able to prove it was a 400 car.
Whatever way you go, seal it and put it in fireproof storage.
Good Luck.
You either cut the gas tank as suggested, or you use a straight blade razor and remove the paper..including the glue. I suggest the latter. From there, you can tape it together from the backside, or if in pieces you can paste it on a copy you made of a similar tank sticker. Then. laminate it so it is sealed and preserved forever.
One I removed was so dark that you could not read much even though the paper was mostly there and in one piece. I sent it to Kansas to one of those places that does museum restoration work. They could not do anything with it. When I got it back, I put it on a piece of stiff plastic, sprayed it heavy with Simple Green, let it soak some (no scrubbing), rinsed it with water and let it dry for a couple days until it would come loose from the plastic without effort. I was amazed at how much better it was. I could read everything.
Another time, I bought a car and the owner said the tank sheet had been removed and was not worth anything as he left it on his workbench and the mice chewed it up. I said I want it anyway. A few days later, a letter arrived with many little pieces in it. I found a tank sheet that was similar in my many copies, made a copy of that copy and began pasting the pieces on the copy. When done, I was able to look at something with meaning. Turns out it was an 67 L68 (427/400 tripower). Without those pieces, I would not have been able to prove it was a 400 car.
Whatever way you go, seal it and put it in fireproof storage.
Good Luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 10
From: Cascade Maryland
Yup, took this one off my '67 using a razor scraper and a little WD-40 on the blade. Dug deep into the finish on the tank and took the sticker off in one piece in about 30 minutes. I cleaned it up a bit and then encased it in Lexan and it's now in my safe deposit box at the bank. PT
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Grayslake IL.
Mine is substainsully worse than yours. It is vertual unreadable in the mid section due to rusting color on the paper. Before I remove it I will try to find some more info on it.
Thanks
Thanks
