Help Me Become A Toy Restorer

January 10, 2007 9:30 AM

I want to restore pressed-steel Tonka toy fire trucks, but I haven't been able to find much information on how to do so.

In a fit of nostalgia, I've embarked upon restoration of several 1970-era Tonka snorkel fire trucks. However, the resources I've been able to find on both "how it should look and what it should have with it" and "how to restore a Tonka without screwing up" are somewhat limited.

I'm aware of http://100megsfree3.com/lonestar/resto1.htm, and I've heard anecdotally that the sole book I've been able to hunt up is useless, but the problem that's vexing me most is that when I search for "restoring X", I tend to get people who want me to pay them to do the restoration.

I want to do it myself, and I'd love to hear first-hand advice from people who have done this. Failing that, pointers on where to look to educate myself would be similarly awesome.

Thanks, hive mind!

posted by scrump to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (3 answers total)

I think your best bet would be to head to the library and find books on general restoration techniques. I'd imagine there should be some devoted to tin toys that would have some crossover application to Tonka toys, but they're all probably pretty expensive especially considering that the useful information (for you at least), might only take up a page or two, so I'd try a library first.

Other than that, I think you're actually in a position I think of as "maybe you should write it then," as I'd be shocked if there weren't other people interested in doing what you'd like to do (I'd count myself among them).

Good Luck.
posted by drezdn at 10:25 AM on January 10, 2007

You should try sending an email to the guy who keeps this site. I'll be he can help you.
posted by mds35 at 10:30 AM on January 10, 2007

That guy above in mds35's comment has many restore tips here on his eye straining site.
posted by lee at 11:09 AM on January 10, 2007