1885 German Book Press Restoration - From Ruin to Masterpiece

In this restoration video, I restore an antique press made in Germany in the 19th century by Alexanderwerk.
I bought this forgotten heavy cast iron press from a Flea Market and worked on it with great pleasure for about 200 hours. The restoration process was challenging but rewarding. The book press was in a state of disrepair when I got it. The extremely rusty and old finish was almost gone; the ornament's decals were also. I learned much about decal restoration. If you want to learn more about antique bookbinding, book press, or decal restoration, I encourage you to watch this video. More about the restoration/transformation process: As mentioned above, I bought this press from a vast flea market for about $200. The method of restoring the industrial press went well without any complications. I used a lot of sandpaper to clean the scratches and the rust pits as much as possible to make them shine again like in the old good days. The book press had two different screws; perhaps someone replaced them in those days, so I decided to make a twin one to look as it was when it came out from the factory gates. The decal restoration process took the most time; the digital part took almost a day, and the decoupage and application took nearly two working days.
It was satisfactory, and everything went smoothly. After removing the rust, the parts were painted and nickel-plated. I hope I have caught everything, but if you have any questions, you can comment, and I'll get back to you!
Cheers! Johnny
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[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Hi folks! Here is my newest restoration video. I spend a lot of time bringing this antique piece to life. I hope you will enjoy the video! Thank you for all your likes and comments and for your time! Cheers! Johnny

[@oneshotme]

Acetone and transmission fluid makes a great penetrator!!!!!!!!! Great for nuts like the one you had problems getting off

[@LaurelChinnRealEstate-Fairfax]

Bobthebookman might like this!

[@LadyLeigh]

My favourite things are restored book presses! I used to do printmaking and would love to take it up again but am probably too old now. I only ever used one in college as they were too expensive to buy! Superb job but too beautiful to actually use. I would keep it as a treasured piece!

[@cathybenson5119]

Love the sound of rain especially on a tin roof 😊😊😊

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Me too! 😁

[@ireneesch8555]

OMG how beautiful. Truly a masterpiece.

[@DonnaMSchmid]

Gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS!!!!

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

[@Ci-Me122...]

You went above and beyond. Absolutely beautiful. Cheers!

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Cheers 🍻

[@user-qj2ti6yz1s]

Замечательная работа.

[@sergeyshyshkov2483]

Особливо цікаво і корисно покровкове відтворення орнаментів і зображень.Щиро дякую.

[@fabianamartins3443]

I'm so happy to see a book press restored 🥰

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm glad I made you happy! ❤️

[@oneshotme]

It looks excellent and you did a wonderful job restoring it as well!!!! I enjoyed your video so I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you very much! Nice to see you here! Cheers

[@user-vp8fw6uw5q]

Amazing, awesome

[@ElTelBaby]

@ 16:51 I'm mesmerised;... just outstanding;... along with such patients...

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm glad you like it! :)

[@flyingeaglewoman8682]

Excellent to see this lovely device be brought back to life, awesome restoration!

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Many thanks!

[@nineteenandfortyone]

Great work! The time and effort you spent shows well in the press.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@isabellevaillant6666]

Amazing!

[@user-dz8dg6ey8g]

Мастеру спасибо что возвращаете к жизни раритеты. Конечно работа трудоёмкая, но зато результат превосходный. Лайкаю.

[@davejive1]

That was really well done. Thank you for showing it to us. Can I suggest that your next restoration should be to restore an antiquarian book using this press as part of the process.

[@NowInAus]

Those decals blew me away. Incredible work!

[@drawingmomentum]

I'm a bookbinder and I would use that every day if I could afford it. ❤ Loved this restoration! 👏 😊

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! 😊

[@AntonioCarlos-sj5fi]

Superb! Congratulations! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! 👌

[@krozdo5an809]

nice...hope you reach 100K ASAP

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! 🙏

[@designabeej]

Brilliant 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you so much!

[@terrifisher7579]

Beautiful ❤️🎉

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! 😀

[@lisagrafton2529]

So relaxing to watch; and satisfying to see you make it look brand new again, when most would scrap it! Thanks for keeping memories alive, with EVERY restoration! Great job at videoing and editing too! I know it takes a lot of time and patience for both!

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! That's right, editing takes a lot of time and patience.

[@viviancris1]

Seu trabalho é incrível!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@larrykelly2838]

Great restoration, looks really nice.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! 🙂

[@namngothe2060]

Very happy! Thank you for making this video, I really like your video, your work is very good. Very beautiful, become beautiful. Keep doing what you do best and keep going. Great video.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you for your kind words! 🙂

[@ih8music]

When I first saw the title, I thought "there's no way a simple thing like that can take 200 hrs to restore!" But after watching the attention to detail (especially recreating the decals from grainy images), I can see where all the time went. And to good use, I should add. great work!

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Yes, it is hard to realise how much work I did off-camera. I had projects that I worked on even more than a month, every day for 6 to 10 hours. For example, sandblasting took me two days, cleaning the columns and polishing them so that even one rust pit or scratch wasn't visible anymore, two days and so on. 😀 This work requires a lot of patience and perseverance. And let's not forget the editing and the use of video/audio equipment to capture the best shots while working on the item. 😃

[@tomswindler64]

Very nice,turned out beautiful,will be a great conversation piece.just keep doing what you do best and carry on.great video.😎😎😎👍👍👍

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you so much, Tom! All the best! Johnny

[@Moffit366]

Very nice!

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thanks! 🙂

[@riikkaheikkinen6268]

Great,as usual 👍👍 i like,well done 👍🙌

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Happy to know that! Thanks! 🥰

[@samanthadean1083]

Beautiful job, but I hope you were careful when removing that old lead paint!!! ❤️❤️❤️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Absolutely. That's why I made a test. 🙂

[@mskayla7747]

Fabulous. Just getting it prepped for sandblasting was a process in itself. The end result was amazing. Bravo, sir. 👍

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm happy you liked the transformation. Thank you for watching! 🙂

[@truthimusmaximus]

Awesome!

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

[@user-if6tx3iy1p]

Very good! I'm from Americana SP Brasil.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! Greetings from Poland.

[@robertmanley7556]

Very nice work !!! It looks fantastic ....I love that you replaced the gold designs on it !!! And it shines so bright !! Wonderful job !! 👍👍👍

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm so glad you like it. 🙂

[@alexandrekrasnoschecoff3206]

YES !!!

[@pavelkoudele5526]

Jako knihař podobný litinový lis používám téměř denně. Krásná obnova. Pavel 🇨🇿

[@anniewardlow9297]

An absolutely remarkable job of restoring this old piece. I thought that the sandblasting and powder coating were my favorite parts but I've changed my mind. I now love to watch you milling new screws and parts needed to make it just perfect. The gold details and decals are the perfect finishing touches needed for a perfect project. Well done... again! 👍

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you so much, Annie. Your comments are so positive, and they motivate me so much. All the best! Johnny

[@anniewardlow9297]

@@rustyshadesrestoration You are so very welcome and deserving of any compliments you receive. You do excellent work and have an attention to detail that few people do. I'm just glad to hear that my positive comments make a difference because mean people suck! Lol 😅😆!!! Have a GREAT weekend ahead!

[@ML-xi2rt]

Awesome ❤

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you for watching! 🙂

[@jackjaeger2189]

I was hoping that it wasn't an antique mammogram machine.

[@robertopalmigiani1090]

Bravissimo come sempre! 🙏👏👏👏

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Grazie!

[@grahamturner5963]

That was beautiful to watch 👍 As always, the attention to detail and your patience are very well rewarded

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm happy to know that you enjoyed this video, too. Thank you so much for being here all the time!

[@Ms.Cats-if.you.please]

♥️♥️♥️ It turned out beautiful!!

[@cathybenson5119]

Beautiful, mate. 👍👍🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! 🙂

[@lisapino6739]

Wow! This restoration was Fantastic. 😊 You ALWAYS do Incredible work. And your attention to details are Amazing 😊 Thanks for sharing this video with us. The end product was FABULOUS 😊 Have a Blessed and Beautiful weekend.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm so glad that you enjoy my work and that you have been watching my videos for quite some time now. Thank you for doing that, Lisa! Have a lovely weekend, too! Johnny

[@ProtonOne11]

Pretty cool restoration. I have a book press from Zocher out of Dresden, Germany. Probably from the 1920 or thereabouts. Thankfully i got a very good deal on it, and it was not rusted as bad as yours. I partially restored it to be usable again, but i wanted to recreate the pinstriping on the press plate at some point and was not sure how, as i'm not skilled enough to do the pinstripes by hand. Might give your decal technique a try. And if it does not look good, i can always remove it again and try some masking and paint or give it to someone that can do fine linework by hand. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you. It should work. Please check first some waterslide decal application tutorials, and you will know what to purchase and do. Good luck, and let me know how it went.

[@marychapel8916]

Oh my goodness! Love this. This type of antique is on my wish list! The decal work was wonderful.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm happy to know that you love this kind of antiques and that you liked the decal restoration process. Thanks!

[@kylettamiller6769]

❤ This is simply fantastic. I was hypnotised throughout the whole video. Thank you so much for restoring and saving this lovely piece of history! Blessings. ❤

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! Blessings 🙌

[@t0mn8r35]

Better than new! Subscribed.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! 😀

[@RonaldoSilva-tn8in]

Restaurada maciça de uma prensa 😉

[@Boss-ph1mf]

Amazing 😮

[@tombarlow6176]

Beautiful restoration of the old press🎉🎉🎉

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you, Tom! 🙂 I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@highenergyjenny]

Sakes alive, I love nickel plating. Great job!!! Those decals gave me the heebie jeebies. I would have ruined those. 😂😢

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thanks! The decal process is complicated but not impossible. If the surface is wet enough, you can take it out and try again. Just to don't get dry...

[@vinceianni4026]

Hello mister beautiful restoration beautifully restored good job well done

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! 😀

[@mathieufoley2339]

now you need to team up with one of the cool book binding channels like Four Keys Book Arts so y'all can collaborate on using this press

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Nice! I didn't know about them. I'll check it now. Thank you! 😀

[@caroleosborne3000]

That’s impressive…..beautiful restoration!

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you very much!

[@djexplain]

Beautifully done!

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm glad you liked the result. Thank you!

[@judyrosey]

Absolutely beautiful!!!!

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! 🙂

[@judyrosey]

@@rustyshadesrestoration ❥

[@marciagarcezmanzella7132]

Impressive, the restoration was beautiful and perfect. Congratulations!😀💜💜💜

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm happy to know that you enjoyed the video! Thank you! 🙂

[@marciagarcezmanzella7132]

@@rustyshadesrestoration Yes😀💜👍

[@antonioparra4979]

que belleza!!! tengo una de esas y esta bien cuidada. menos mal cayo en tus manos amigo mil bendiciones por tu saber.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Me alegro de que te haya gustado el vídeo. Gracias por tus amables palabras 🙂 .

[@mudrat52]

Wow what a restoration ❤

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm glad you like it! 🙂

[@shedmanx3640]

Absolutely flawless work as usual mate

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thanks! 😀

[@ayushi3532]

So amazing work ❤

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you 😊 🙏

[@ESk__07]

😮😮 it' beautiful!

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thanks!

[@saikumarkhan]

great job 👍🏿👍🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! 👌

[@manecobeirao]

Good ! Very good !!! ( Brazil )

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Obrigado! 😀

[@Joyfully8888]

Wow 😮!! I am blown away at the level of expertise you have!! Beautiful work!!! Did you go to school to learn this? Or are you self taught? Your work is Amazing!! I really enjoyed the video. I am a subscriber to your channel. I left my “like” and I will share this video with my brother in law.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I learned alone to do everything. All because I love antiques and to make/do things with my hands. Thank you for Subscribing! Have a great day!

[@irenebecker4815]

Until you bought it, it was a big $200 paperweight. Now it can have a life again. Kudos to you!

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you! 🙂

[@MrsIsmena]

Whats a masterpiece! Beutiful object ❤ your work is amazing 👏

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you so much! 🙂

[@bulentiseri8468]

Amazing work❤❤❤

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thank you 🙏

[@isabellegermain2423]

C'est magnifique !

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Merci!

[@ElTelBaby]

@ 15:36 Man that's looks tricky... 🧐

[@seanmurphy9439]

Dang, that's gorgeous. What are the lead-testing swabs you use? I have never found ones that are easy to use and reliable.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thanks! They're no name; I found them on Amazon. Just type Lead test swabs, and you may find them.

[@Serenity_Dee]

"How much lead is in this paint?" Lead indicator swab: YES.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Exactly 😅

[@antigonesurefire888]

This comment took me out! I had no right to laugh as hard as I did. Thanks for the laugh, internet stranger!

[@user-rw2mm5np2u]

А зачем определять наличие свинца в краске?

[@mrimmortal1579]

@@user-rw2mm5np2u lead is hazardous to one’s health. If you are restoring an item that is covered in lead paint, you must be careful in how you remove it. Sanding the paint dry, or putting it into the sandblast cabinet, can create microscopic airborne lead particles which can then wind up anywhere and everywhere. On surfaces in your shop, on your skin, in your lungs… none of these things are good for your health.

[@user-yj3pg9ee8v]

meraviglia

[@jamesriordan3494]

🙌

[@user-hv4px4fj2m]

красота👍

[@ElTelBaby]

@ 14:50 ... I'm interested just how U go about making these Artworks... Would it B a polite ? 2 ask 4 a video tutorial;... or links;... if not... Titles to do research... Even any FREE Software U use;... paper;... printer involved... After all U R a STAR Restorer... ... GR8... Awesome videos U put out...

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Search on KZbin waterslide decals application. There are a lot of tutorials.

[@ElTelBaby]

@@rustyshadesrestoration ... Water Slide Decals... I'm on it... Many Thanks... 👍

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

You're welcome! 🙂

[@x84pav84x]

Пальцы хорошо зажимать, этой штукой.

[@renes2245]

Sehr schöne Arbeit! Verkaufst du die restaurierten Stücke oder sammelst du?

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Danke! Ich sammle, aber ich bin sicher, dass sie mich eines Tages von zu Hause vertreiben werden. 😂

[@renes2245]

@@rustyshadesrestoration 😲😂

[@kayleysaunders4589]

How do you tell if something needs to be nickel-plated or copper-plated or steel-plated? Or how do you tell if something had already been “plated”??

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I nickel plate the exposed parts (with no paint or other protective layers) to protect against further rusting. It works the same with copper plating. I choose to use one or another by respecting how the item gets out from the factory doors. If you see that a part wasn't painted and it is supposed to shine, you nickel plate it to give back the former glory of the object. Are you planning to restore something? If yes, what? :D

[@kayleysaunders4589]

What sort of tool/equipment are you using at 6:25? And for what kind of work can that tool/equipment be used for(just for cleaning or are there other purposes)??

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

It is just an electric workshop sink. It is used mainly for cleaning greasy parts and dirt.

[@user-xj6lv6oo6h]

👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍❤😊❤

[@enestaskn7472]

What will happens when the contain lead?

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

If paint contains lead, I'm not allowed to use sandblaster because I can contaminate it, even the working space. Lead is poison if inhaled or if it gets through your skin. So, I need to remove the paint chemically, as in the video and then use the blaster.

[@enestaskn7472]

@@rustyshadesrestoration I see. Thank you for your answer.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

You're welcome! 🙂

[@westernerserge1676]

beau travail quel est votre métier de formation?

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Je suis titulaire d'un master en sciences. Géologie/géochimie, mais je ne suis pas actif dans ce domaine. J'ai travaillé pendant 7 ans dans le domaine du marketing et je dirige maintenant ma propre agence. Qu'en est-il de vous ?

[@westernerserge1676]

@@rustyshadesrestoration je suis infirmier hospitalier en psychiatrie votre savoir faire est impressionnant pour moi

[@westernerserge1676]

@@rustyshadesrestoration jesuis infirmier en psychiatrie dans lesud de la france votre savoir faire est impressionant je vous souhaite le meilleur

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Ce n'est pas un travail facile, mais je pense qu'il peut être gratifiant.

[@westernerserge1676]

@@rustyshadesrestoration oui surtout que je travaille dans un service ou les medecins font des recherches sur l effet des cannabioides sur le systeme nerveux central pour le traitement des psychoses et de la douleur

[@ncmnt9697]

Precizní práce. 👍

[@x84pav84x]

Я ненавижу дождь. Он навевает тоску и создаёт большие неудобства.

[@JoseContreras-ph6nz]

👍🙏🏻🤗🇻🇪

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Gracias por ver mis vídeos 🙂

[@neccosan-of3ni]

😰➡️🥰👍✨✨✨

[@mikeb5749]

Maybe it was used back when Joseph smith and the Mormons were around

[@crapbage]

The new screw isn’t identical 😢

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

😅 did you measure it trough your screen?

[@dennisp.2147]

There are hardly any threads on the screw you re-made.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

It works perfectly so I didn't had to insist👌

[@x84pav84x]

А нафига уксус то? Царскую водку уж сразу!

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

🤣🤣🤣

[@suhayl5157]

That's an over kill; but came out fine.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Why overkill? 😀

[@marcosrobertofernandes7819]

Horrível.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

🥰

[@smashyrashy]

Should have been 10 minutes please edit

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Not sure I understand you

[@ValleyProud916]

Is that the same one used on the Three Stooges?

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I don't know the Three Stooges, but it sounds funny to me.

[@jandzban1314]

👍 + My subscribe 😅

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

Thanks! 😀

[@fredmartin126]

Other than the misuse of the word massive, ya did good.

[@rustyshadesrestoration]

I'm glad you like it. English is not my first language, and in my language, Massive makes sense here. I also checked in the dictionary, and I saw that massive can mean large, heavy or solid, and this is precisely how I will describe this press: large, heavy or solid. Now, I want to know what you think as a native and why I misused the word. I would appreciate an answer. 🙂