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We live in a culture where things are thrown away. But some things, like the vintage Schwinn bike, the 1950s cast iron radiator, or the heavy wrought iron gates at your grandmother's house, were made to last. They just need a new look.

Powder coating is the link between "rusty junk" and "valuable antique." But how much does it cost to restore something compared to buying a new one? We at Rusty Lions are experts at breathing new life into old metal. We do this by keeping it functional for the modern world while also preserving its history.

The Restoration Process: It's More Than Just Painting

Restoration is more than just putting colour on things. It means reversing decades of damage.

1. Sandblasting (lots of money): This is the hard work. We use different media (sand, walnut shells, glass beads) depending on how fragile the item is. We blast away 50 years of lead paint, rust, and grime down to the bare "white metal."

2. Repairs (Optional): If the rust has eaten through the metal, it may need to be welded before being coated.

3. Degassing: Old cast iron has holes in it that let oil in. We bake it to get rid of the dirt.

4. Zinc Primer: To protect the metal from future corrosion, we often use a primer that is high in zinc.

5. Top Coat: The last colour that looks good.

Cost Examples: Repair vs. New

1. Radiators Made of Cast Iron

• New: A good reproduction radiator costs more than $800.

• Restoration: $100 to $150.

• Result: You get to keep the original heating efficiency and charm for 20% of the cost. Also, powder coating doesn't smell like burning paint when the heat comes on and is good at keeping heat in.

2. Old Lawn Furniture (The "Motel" Chairs)

• New: Cheap copies that break easily and rust quickly cost $100 each.

• Repair: $60 to $90.

• The result is that you get to keep the heavy, wind-resistant original steel that won't blow away in a storm.

3. Parts for cars (oil pans, valve covers)

• New: OEM parts are often no longer available (NLA). Cheap Chinese copies don't fit right.

• Repair: $20 to $50.

• Result: A perfect fit in the factory with a finish that looks brand new.

The Hidden Value of Restoration

Restoration not only raises the item's market value, but it also raises its price. A restored original Schwinn Stingray bike is worth a lot of money. A generic bike that has been painted over is not. Powder coating cost keeps the item's history while making it last for another 50 years.

Services for Sandblasting

You might just want the item cleaned so you can work on it or weld it yourself. We also do sandblasting on its own.

• Rates for sandblasting: Usually based on time or size. Things that are small might cost $20, while things that are bigger cost by the square foot.

Why choose Rusty Lions for restoration?

We know how to handle fragile things. Aggressive blasting can bend thin sheet metal on old cars. We know exactly what kind of media and pressure to use to clean your vintage item without hurting it. We take care of your family heirlooms the same way we would our own.