We were approached by Cornel Hook and Ladder in upstate NY with a restoration project. The fire department was in the process of the restoration of an antique fire truck from the 1940’s. The truck was to be used in local parades and as a show piece for the town. They had two panel mount Ametek pressure gauges from the original time period that they wanted to have restored to working order.
The original pressure gauges were in very poor condition when they arrived. The cases were rusted and flaking, dial faces had severe water damage, and the window rings were badly corroded. The gauges were completely disassembled and the bourdon tube and rack assemblies were found to be in operable condition.
The cases were cleaned and then bead blasted. The dials and window rings were cleaned and bead blasted down to the bare brass and then sent out for nickel plating. The cases were refinished in a high gloss candy apple red finish to match the fire engine.
We researched and found and then recreated the original “Sanford” fire logo, the brand of the fire truck being restored. The custom dials were drawn and the artwork laser etched on to the dial faces. The gauges were then reassembled and the result was an authentic restoration, with which the customer was very pleased.
