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Restoring old wagon

Cornflk1
I have our old wooden wheeled farm wagon, probably bought by my grandfather in the early 1920's before the depression.

Finally got it in my possession after the death of my Uncle. It's pretty good shape other than some rot on both front wheels. Orginal paint although really faded.

I'm trying to clean it up, soft brushing and vacume.


Question is : should I try and ---gently---- wire brush the metal hardware or leave as is ?? I have no intention of selling in my life time, I have vivid memory at the age of 5, riding around in this wagon, with the last team our farm had in 1958.
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • SoreShoulder
    I would choose a gentler method if the thing means anything to you. I picked up a lightly used Nylon 66 that had been wire wheeled in a few spots and the gouges left by the wires show.
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  • Junkballer
    Best advice, grease the 5th wheel & keep it out of the weather, rain or dry and keep it 2-3"'s inches off the ground to save the wheels [;)]
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  • grumpygy
    For parts you can remove.

    workshop-hero-paint-thinner-solvents-cleaners-wh290487-64_1000.jpg

    Works wonders, then lightly oil with Kroil.
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  • asop
    I restored a "goat cart" 6 years ago for my wife. She uses it outside of our front door with plantings in a cedar box I built just to hold the dirt and plantings! At any rate my 3 kids all thought how neat and mentioned if I were to come across another goat cart it would be welcomed as perhaps a gift to them[:0]. These carts have become like finding hen's teeth. So, being the great father that I am, I built 3 replicas out of oak I had on hand with very similar wood spoked wheels I bought one flee bay. Metal parts out of the bone yard and any new metal was "blued" to distract from the new look. Set all out in the weather for a year and end result was great[;)].
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  • Geri
    ASOP, could you post a picture, please? Thanks.
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  • truthful
    It's important to keep the wood wheels in good condition. The rims are stressed by the tension of the wire rims. Once rot sets in it is all downhill. If just a showpiece, keep the wheels from contact with the soil and rotate each wheel several times a year. If you plan on actually using the wagon, consider having the wheels rebuilt by a wheelright. There are several good ones in Amish country.
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  • asop
    I soaked all the cut pieces in a preservative including the purchased wheels. (bought them from an Amish supplier). After a year or so out in the weather wood ages just right. I copied the orig. goat cart down to the metal rub pieces.
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  • Cornflk1
    It will spend it's life inside my shop. The wheels are currently on auto tire trollys so I can move it from side to side or whatever.

    Just want to clean it up for show. An auctioner told me to leave it alone, but I think he is thinking of possible future sales, kinda in the same vein as never cleaning old coins.
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  • wundudnee
    This was my Dad's spring wagon. He bought it in 1953 for $3.00 and it was still being pulled by a team of white mules. He planted petunias in it for years until the wheels rotted off. He threw the hubs and metal tires away and I ended up with it. I built a new wooden bed and replaced the wheels with horse drawn cultivator wheels. I still have steps on it and have a pair of seat springs. I have two good wooden wheels that came off a Santa Fe push cart that have never been outside. I'll probably never find another pair.


    medium800.jpg
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  • dav1965
    I love that cart. I just like old stuff.v
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  • babun
    Me and the wife used to sell at the Nashville Fairgrounds Flea market.
    Big, 4 day sales of everything, mainly antiques for sale.
    Many sellers brought in wagons, wheels, parts of old farm items.
    Always sold for top money and sold fast.
    A junked out wood wagon, 3 bad wheels, rotted out bed ect, ect, would bring about $400.
    [:p]
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