Modern Type- R 8" Signal
Milan, Ohio, USA  

MFR:  Crouse-Hinds
Make:  Type-R 
Years Made:  1970's-1980's
Estimated Year:  1980's

Lense Size:  8"
Orig City:  near Milan,Ohio, USA
Orig Color:  Federal Yellow
Orig Configuration:  8-8-8 R-Y-G Ball 
Orig Visors:  Cutaway
Orig Lenses: Glass

Current Color:  ACE School Bus Yellow (Same)
Current Configuration:  8-8-8 R-Y-G Ball
Current Visors:  Cutaway (Same)
Current Lenses: Glass (Same)

Notes, Commentary, Restoration: 
After aquiring my turn arrow, and having a taste for signal collecting I went looking for a full unit. Having passed on several units that were available for higher prices or in poor shape, I settled on this eight-inch model freshly retired from the streets of Milan, Ohio; just south of "Cedar Point" and the home of Thomas Edison. It was just-off-the-pole and had the Umbilical Cord still attached.

Overall this unit turned out to be in good shape (which, in Ohio, can be quite rare it would seem). Except for lightbulbs it came fully intact if not a bit waterstained. After disassembly (including removing the doors from their hinges) Everything was thoroughly soaked in hot water and scrubbed alternating a scotch-brite and brass brush. It turns out that early in this signal's life it had been repainted with two coats of spray-paint. These coats, combined with the years of sun and dirt formed into a nice overcoat from the factory finish. While the body peeled away to a smoth basecoat, the visors didn't fare as well but note the cleanliness/original color restoration. They had to be chemically stripped and buffed. After everything had been cleaned, it was scrubbed up with 400-grit paper to form a good layer to primer on.  Rust-Oleum Red Oxide/Rusty Metal was applied first, for grip and checked for flaws.

From here, a White primer was applied followed by enough Ace School Bus Yelow spray to make an even color coat.  The visors recieved an interior two coats of Rust-Oleum oil-based enamel Flat Black. It didn't dry as smooth as some of the brush paints but it did come to a reasonably flat finish. While considering Mounting options for this, a 3-piece decorative aluminum lamppost was found at the local Lowes for $10. The bottom two pieces were used, and painted a gloss black to hide the awful copper-splatterpaint effect it had. New sockets were ordered to replace the used ones, and everything was reassembled. Since it will be used primarily indoors, 4-watt lamps were used to replace the standard 75-watt units.

Photographic Records: 
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During
 

After

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This page was last modified on 04 September 2006.