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"Antique baby carriage restoration Q&A's"
Current questions and RFQs:
June 8, 2021RFQ: Sir:
I have an old carriage from the 40s and want to find a company who could restore it. The fabric needs to be replaced. Any help would be appreciated.
- Las Cruces, New Mexico
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^- Privately respond to this RFQ -^
July 25, 2021
Q. I have a Thistle carriage from the 1970's and when it was moved, they lost one of the springs. I'm wondering if there are suggestions for finding old parts like that. They were rounded and nowadays they don't make them like that anymore.
Jolene Bordeaux- Severn, Maryland
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Ed. note: Please attach a photo of the spring in e-mail to mooney@finishing.com, together with anything about them that you can measure, for posting here so people know what kind of spring you're looking for. I don't think I quite believe that nobody makes springs of a given sort anymore. I saw extension springs in the local hardware store this morning, and if you google "extension springs" I think you'll quickly find something suitable. Good luck.
Previous closely related Q&A's, oldest first:
2001Q. I am refinishing an old baby buggy. The chrome is in good shape other then a few rust spots. How do I remove them? I don't know where to begin.
Thanks,
Joyce R [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- London,Ont., Canada
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affil. link
Chrome Polish & Rust Remover
2001
A. The chrome is gone in the pitted areas, Joyce. Chrome polish should remove the rust, but you'll have to constantly keep it waxed or it will re-rust because there is no longer any plating between the steel and the outside world in those pitted areas.
It won't be cheap, but you might consider having it replated by a plating shop. Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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2005
Q. Hi;
I am restoring an old baby carriage for my soon-to-come first grand-daughter, the same one we used 30 years ago for her mother. The chassis (bottom part of carriage with the wheels on it, for lack of a better term) is chrome-plated steel and has rust spots throughout. How can I restore this?
Thanks,
hobbyist - Yorba Linda, California
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2005
Microcrystalline "Museum Wax"
affil. link
A. The nickel-chrome plating is rusting because after all these years it is now porous, George. The correct restoration is to send it to a plating shop for replating. But if you can't afford that, you can clean it up with chrome polish; then, keeping it well waxed and dry will deter rusting quite a bit. Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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2005
Q. Sir:
I have an old carriage (45 years old) and want to find a company who could restore it. The fabric (canvas) on the hood needs to be replaced as well as some of the leather straps. Any help would be wonderful.
- Brooklyn, New York
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2005
Q. I am refurbishing a baby carriage that has been in the family for 4 generations and need 4 hub caps. The wheel hubs are stamped with the name "Ariel" The caps are 1 1/4 with a tapered thread 20 per inch. I have 2 on hand but they are in poor shape. Any assistance would be appreciated
Jon Flood- Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
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A. Hi, Jon.
I think there is little chance of finding them, although you could check Ebay. But I'm confident that a local machine shop can make what you need, preferably out of stainless steel.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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Need baby carriage (circa 1965) restoration
April 22, 2008RFQ: I have a baby carriage -- coach style with large wheels and a leather-upholstered body, circa 1965, that has been in the attic for 25 years. It needs restoration.
I welcome inquiries and prices from Mid-Atlantic restorers.
Judith TurnerFuture Grandmother - Washington, DC, USA
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^- Sorry, this RFQ is outdated
View Current RFQs
June 29, 2008
Q. Hi I recently bought a baby stroller. I was wanting to know where I could find more info on it. Its a pull type (has like a wagon handle) two 11 inch wheels with two small wheels in the back to kept it from tipping over backwards (like wheelie bars on a drag car). It looks like it has a removable shade (which I think I am missing some pieces) that stores under the seat when not in use. The seat folds back when baby is sleeping and it folds forward and handle folds back when not in use. Also has wicker sides. I found it in s.e. Iowa don't know if that will help any. Thanks, Mike.
Mike Emickhobbyist - lamar Colorado
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August 7, 2008
Q. A friend of mine has a 1930's chrome Chevrolet baby buggy and wants to know how much its worth how do we find that out ?
kattie leonna- las vegas, Nevada
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affil. link
"Kovel's Antiques and Collectibles"
from Abe Books
or
A. Antiques Road Show wouldn't be a big hit if such questions were easily answered, Kattie :-)
Start with a good antique shop. Or, to approach it on the cheap, track e-bay auctions of antique baby buggies. Or see if any help is available at www.restorers.com, and see if your library has a copy of "Kovels' Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide"
[affil. link to book
on Amazon]. Good luck!
This is a metal finishing site, and the metal finishing of these items is our interest in them. Sorry, but this site doesn't offer or print appraisals.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Aloha -- an idea worth spreading
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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Ed. note April 2021: Sorry, www.restorers.com appears to be only a link farm now.
Restoring metal baby carriage frame, 1940s?
September 8, 2008Q. Hi! I recently acquired an old baby carriage, and working with vintage metal is all new to me. It seems to have all the pieces except the wheel covers. So far I don't see any brand or symbols on it but it is in desperate need of cleaning... My question is what do you suggest for cleaning and then restoring the metal, including the wheels? I really want to salvage this piece. The metal seems solid, just very greasy and dirt covered, also scratched. Some rust. The carriage handle, which is one long rounded handle attached on both ends to the frame looks to be plated because the silver is somewhat scratched through and shows the dark metal underneath. I am looking for as much information as possible or further contacts to go to, on how to clean and restore the metal frame and wheels, as after that I will have to move on to re-covering it.
I was entrusted with this item in hopes to be able to restore it and am looking for any helpful information and sources. Thank you!
Dorothy Bohnerthobbyist - Joliet, Illinois, USA
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September 15, 2008
A. Try Canadian Conservation Institute website -- there you can find very good info on conservation and care of metal objects! Hope it helps and good luck!
Goran Budija- Zagreb, Croatia
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May 8, 2009
RFQ: I have an old baby carriage I'm looking to restore who can do this for me?
Christina Henze- Longmont, Colorado
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^- Sorry, this RFQ is outdated
View Current RFQs
July 7, 2009
Q. I am restoring a Perego Baby Carriage...Luxury model and need to whiten the wheels, and the inside (which is white vinyl but has stains). It is chocolate brown with a white stripe on both sides that also need to be whitened. Is there anything I can use to fix this problem? All of the chrome around the wheels is in excellent shape and so is the body. I can't find anything that works...thanks so much.
Posey Thomson- Santa Cruz, California
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A. Hi, Posey. Back in the days of that carriage, carbon tetrachloride (Carbona) was the one thing that would work instantly and perfectly on white vinyl. It is toxic and has been banned from consumer products for a long time, so I doubt that you will find it. You might very cautiously try a white wall tire cleaner like Bleche-Wite [affil. link to info/product on Amazon] on the upholstery since you'll want it for the tires anyway.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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August 11, 2009
RFQ: I've been cleaning up a carriage that my in-laws gave us to use as a bassinet and buggy. The carriage is missing a chrome handle that is "S" shaped and attached to the upper end of the buggy.I think the carriage was manufactured in the 1960's, it's blue with a little window for the kid to look out of when they get big enough. You can also adjust the angle at which you prop the "passenger." Are there restorers or people who have these parts on hand? I'd buy another carriage just for the part but I don't know where to look aside from craigslist and ebay.
Kevin Paddenhobbyist - Boise, Idaho
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^- Sorry, this RFQ is outdated
View Current RFQs
March 25, 2010
RFQ: Hi. I bought an antique baby buggy at an estate sale that is missing a wheel. Where do I find a replacement? Thanks! Trish
Trish Spatzhobbyist - Richardson, Texas
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^- Sorry, this RFQ is outdated
View Current RFQs
A. Hi, Trish. It's hard to find antique baby buggy wheels and rugger bubby bumpers.
I would try eBay, Black Market Antiques, and possibly Speedway Motors in Nebraska.
www.restorers.com has some threads on the subject, including offers by shops to repair old carriages. But it may be more practical to see if a local machine shop can make something for you. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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Ed. note April 21: Sorry, www.restorers.com appears to be now only a link farm.
Need chroming for restoring old baby carriage
May 31, 2010RFQ: I need various parts re-chromed including the spoke wheels and the undercarriage.
The undercarriage is riveted together. Is it possible to re-chrome this without taking it apart?
I live in Staten Island NY and I am looking for a chrome plating shop in NYC or NJ area.
What is the cost of something like this?
hobbyist - Staten Island, New York, USA
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^- Sorry, this RFQ is outdated
View Current RFQs
A. Hi Vincent. It's probably possible to re-chrome without removing the rivets. But the cost will probably be a shock. Take a look at our "Introduction to Chrome Plating" to understand why it's going to take them a couple of hours of handwork; and unfortunately they can't work any cheaper than your plumber or auto mechanic :-(
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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50ish Mercury coupe baby buggy?
Q. Hi there, I have recently acquired this baby buggy and I am having a difficult time obtaining any information on it. I did find one online through a search, it was completely restored. BEAUTIFUL! unfortunately there was no contact information available. If you know anything about this item please let me know. Thank you in advance
Again, thanks.
amateur - Beloit, Wisconsin USA
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April 21, 2010
A. Hi, Shawneen. If you want to locate a shop or you need tips on refinishing it yourself, we may be able to answer your questions. The history might be interesting too! But we can't help buy, sell, or appraise such items. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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June 23, 2018
A. To Shawneen T: your baby buggy was made in Germany between the 40s and the 50s by van Delft; it is called a Kender wagon. I have two of them, they are all different they seem to be.
Tammy Ecott- Las Vegas, Nevada
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