Chip Channel Restorations

Thursday, November 26, 2021 

Overcast with drizzle 

3C 36 F

Chip Channel Restorations

      Several weeks ago, I was doing a search for toys, when I saw a search result for Chip Channel Restorations. I had no idea what this search result was, but when I clicked on the link, I was awestruck. The link that had taken me to YouTube, whereupon, I had discovered someone who had a site, where he restored toys back to their original condition.But not just any condition, but to a condition that looked like the toy had just come off the assembly line!

        

Each new video on YouTube begins with a tow truck pulling the toy that will be restored on the episode. If you copy and paste the address below into your internet address rectangle you will be redirected to Chip'sYoutube website. "Chip" prefer's to remain anonymous, hence he asked me to use his pseudonym "Chip". 

Below is the web address (URL) for Chip Channel Restorations.

You'll have to copy and paste the address in order to 

redirect to Chip's YouTube website.

       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR9GdLIOAGY

        

In the case of this video restoration, the old toy is a:

1954 Tonka Mobile Fire Department 

MFD Ladder Truck

As you clearly see, the fire truck is in a bad shape, 

and is in need of a big restoration.

When starting out, all parts of the fire truck are disassembled very carefully.

 Parts are also checked for lead, and I 

think these parts are replaced with non-leaded new parts.

Even small parts are replaced if they are in poor condition.

If a part is very rusted, a file will be used to 

grind off the damaged part.

Then a # 600 fine sandpaper on a

rotary sander is used to smooth out any rough parts. 

Towards the end, a fine buffing is used to shine metallic and plated parts.

Parts are all sandblasted to remove old paint and rust.

A primer or undercoating is now applied to all

parts before the new paint is applied.

The final stage involves painting, and

a powdered form of paint is used. 

I think an electrostatic process is used to apply paint

to the toy parts. I say this because the paint below is in the form of a powder.

Below is the truck in the state that it was purchased.

Below are different photographs to show  the quality restoration that

was done to bring back theses toys to superb shape.

Even decals are researched for the original truck, 

and are then custom-made tofinish the restoration. 

Material for a back textured metallic plate was

found in order to replace what was originally there

and in poor condition.

 

Finished parts are assembled towards the 

final stages of the restoration.

hen the re-plated metal parts are all finished to a beautiful shine,

they are then re-attached to the assorted different painted parts

of the fire truck.

Finally, the truck is now finished,

It most certainly looks just like it would have been 67 years ago!!!!

Chip certainly is a master craftsman! 

I don't know where Chips finds the time to do his restorations. 

He told me that he works 50 hours in his job profession.

He most certainly dedicated and very much likes what

he does in his spare time to toys from a past time!

I've just "touched on" what Chip does!

His YouTube videos are about and hour and more,

and he very thoroughly shows the viewer

how toys are properly and excellently restored to

what they would have looked like when they were

originally purchased.

Now that's true dedication and a labour of love!

Thanks for dropping by, and as usual, 

I can be reached at

toysearcher@gmail.com

Have a great part of the day or night,

wherever you may be.