Rusty 1890s Foot Bolt Restoration | Random Restoration

Welcome! Today I'll be restoring an old ornate, rusty foot bolt that was manufactured by Reading Hardware Company. The design name of this floor bolt is Windsor, and is commonly referred to as the Reading Windsor. There's all sorts of old hardware ranging from door knobs to door bells, window hardware, etc. in this design. This design started production in the mid 1880s, and was manufactured all throughout the 1890s and even later. This ornate hardware is a door lock of sorts would be used to lock a double door setup, or a French door setup in place.
I started this hardware restoration with a quick disassembly - It's a pretty basic design, so it didn't take long, though there was a loose spring inside. Luckily I have restored one of these in the past and already knew how to reassemble it. Most of the parts had a bit of old, crusty mint green house paint paint on them, and I sprayed them down with a paint removal spray. A couple of the parts were very rusty, but a day in the rust remover made quick work of it. After the rust removal I quickly wire wheeled all of the parts.
Next up it was time for painting the smaller components and the strike plate. These were originally japanned, but I currently am not able to do japanning, so I used a simple spray paint. Next up in the restoration it was time to restore the main portion, which is made of cast iron. I started by sanding the rough areas which were pitted due to rust. Then I moved onto polishing the entire piece with an initial/coarse polish. This was what was used originally, and I figure it's the best at recreating the original finish and shine perfectly.
Then I painted the recessed areas of the main body. Up until recently I would have painted on a clear coat, but this time I brewed up a tinted lacquer which is very strong, and somewhat recreates the original finish this piece would have had. With every repair done, now it was time for the brief rebuild! I was very happy with how this piece turned out, and it ended up being one of my favorite restorations to date. It would have been a perfect restoration if a few things hadn't fallen into the clear lacquer when I was painting it on, but that was all due to bad luck haha
Time Stamps:
0:00 Welcome!
0:30 Quick Test
0:42 Disassembly
1:40 Paint Stripping
2:37 1899 Catalog
3:05 Cleaning up Parts
3:55 Sanding Small Parts
4:42 Painting Small Parts
5:18 Sanding Main Piece
5:48 Polishing Main Piece
6:15 Painting Recessed Areas
7:24 Painting on Tinted Lacquer
8:14 Reassembly Time
8:59 Before and After
9:49 Thanks for Watching!
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Thanks for watching the video Rusty 1890s Foot Bolt Restoration | Random Restoration

[@lootownica]

That tinted lacquer turned out amazing, i love this shade.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot! I’ve been testing this lacquer out for a few months, and I have a few different shades to try out still. This one has a great golden tint to it though! Thanks for watching!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Hi all, thanks for watching today's video! Let me know what you think of my home brew lacquer! I’ve done a lot of testing with it, and I have a few slightly different tints that I’ll try out on future projects. Thanks for watching!

[@mrkrasker9609]

What amazes me is the rough finish on these fixtures considering the price in the 1900s. Very nice restoration.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot! Haha yeah this one left the factory pretty rough, but it would have been the cheapest option available for purchase. They did have sanded (usually called cut or ground) and polished variants that were more expensive. Thanks a lot for watching!

[@michelleg9194]

Those details really pop with that finish.

[@randomrestoration6858]

They do indeed! Thanks a lot for watching!

[@marcuscicero9587]

days gone by produced really pretty hardware

[@randomrestoration6858]

I 100% agree with you there, Marcus! There's absolutely nothing hardware related these days that is this elegant unfortunately. Thanks for watching!

[@brycecrousore1985]

What a transformation! Beautiful.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Much appreciated, thanks for watching!

[@samanthadean1083]

Fantastic job!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you, Samantha, I appreciate it!

[@ady5041]

I didn't expect that finishing,,,well done man. I like it,,,plus that is vintage piece 👌,,,really nice

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot, man! It’s definitely not a technique that I’ve seen done before, and I reckon it looks quite nice! Thanks for watching!

[@tomskaggs7918]

Liked the homemade finish. Really enjoy all your work

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot, Tom! I was pretty happy with how this piece ended up looking after the tinted lacquer was applied. Thanks for watching!

[@WorkshopDC]

Awesome! Loved It! ❤️ 👏👏👏

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you, man, I appreciate it! 😁

[@masterlcpl3736]

another RR video! yay! so happy 😁😊😍

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thought it was a bit of a shorter video this time 'round haha. As always, thanks a lot, man!

[@thisisrestoration1983]

What a beauty!Very good result!Greetings from german restoration 😎✌

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a bunch, I appreciate it!

[@barthanes1]

Really sweet finish on that one.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot, Ross!

[@ianharvey3696]

One word...beautiful

[@randomrestoration6858]

I appreciate it, Ian!

[@MillwalltheCat]

Nice work as usual. Like your solution to 'Bronzing', very effective.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot! The tinted lacquer is still a work in progress, but I reckon it looks pretty decent as is! With a bit more testing it has a lot of potential for some great looking finishes. Thanks for watching!

[@misterpatina]

Bro Iam watching your channel since day one. And today I saw you using a new tool - the airbrush gun! The finish is amazing! Great job, hugs and brolove from Germany! 😘

[@randomrestoration6858]

Hahaha yeah it was about time I got something new! I can’t claim to be a master airbrush user yet, but luckily there isn’t too much of a learning curve haha. Thanks a lot, man! 😁

[@tomswindler64]

As always beautiful piece 👍👍👍😎😎😎

[@randomrestoration6858]

I appreciate it, Tom!

[@markchristopher9515]

The lacquer tinting is fantastic. Matches, uniques and likely depths are so possible. Thank you for the ideas and stripper in a can. Never thought I would see it and certainly never thought I would say it.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you for the kind words, Mark! Yeah, the stripper in a can is extra handy, and come to think of it is indeed an odd comment hahaha. Thanks for watching!

[@TheFabrik]

Amazing !! Beautiful job 🙌🙏

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot, man, I appreciate it!

[@ussdiscovery6912]

Awesome Restoration!Well done Mate! Thanks for answering my question about my lock I do understand about having a bunch of projects on hand so it's not a problem. Maybe one day?

[@randomrestoration6858]

Sorry for the late reply, but thanks a lot! I very well may start taking on projects from viewers at some point down the road, but it'll be a while before that happens haha. Thanks a lot for watching!

[@larrykelly2838]

Beautiful restoration

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a bunch, Larry!

[@frick566]

Dude....AWESOME!!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you, Lee!

[@grayukuk]

A good job. Well done sir.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@RestorationAustralia]

Nice looking object well done.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@doriWyo]

Another beautiful job! I think it would also be great extra security on a single door.

[@randomrestoration6858]

It totally could be used for that as well, and definitely would add a decent amount of security! As always, thanks for watching, Dori!

[@-Deena.]

So elegant 🧡

[@randomrestoration6858]

It is a lovely little piece! As always, thanks a lot for watching!

[@amilcarmoncada1801]

Excelente Restauración de pernos de pie ornamentados de la década de 1890, respetos desde Venezuela.💯🤜🔥🤛👍👍🙏💯💯

[@randomrestoration6858]

¡Muchísimas gracias, lo aprecio!

[@unkjason]

Congratulations you have 5 haters, you must be doing something right. Like restoring! Great job

[@randomrestoration6858]

Hahaha right, that’s how I see it. Thanks a lot for watching!

[@VeradonaRestoration]

Interesting technique, I have to try, thanks

[@Archiemonty]

You could but hear they've already copy-righted it 😆

[@randomrestoration6858]

Well now this has made my day! 😁 It’s fantastic because it really can be tinted to create most any color, and looks identical to a plated finish. Thank you very much for watching!

[@frick566]

If Radek likes it and wants to try your lacquer you're onto something!!

[@randomrestoration6858]

@@frick566 Haha right!

[@ArtisticEndeavors]

Thumbs up!! ✌🏻🎨☕️

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you, Susannah, I appreciate it!

[@martinbrace7195]

Great video as usual . Not to sure of the lacquer but that's my opinion.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot! Haha fair enough, it's not for everyone! I'm still testing out a few different tints - The main goal is to recreate brass, bronze, copper and gold plating at some point in the future with a strong lacquer, as brass/bronze/gold plating is very toxic, and isn't something that really should be attempted at home in my opinion. Thanks for watching!

[@RESTORATIONOFSCRAPMETAL]

Greetings buddy, beautiful job. I like it 👍

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words!

[@razorboyXVII]

Nice work!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you very much!

[@vinceianni4026]

Good restoration well done

[@randomrestoration6858]

I appreciate it, Vince!

[@restorationconstantines7731]

Beautiful!👍

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot!

[@sallyebsworth2531]

Beautiful

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you, Sally!

[@myrestorations]

Very nice video 👍🤝👍

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks, man, I appreciate it!

[@abo_fhad]

كالعادة تميز الى ابعد الحدود

[@randomrestoration6858]

أنا أقدر ذلك ، شكرا جزيلا لك!

[@garyjones2582]

Very nice.. Ready to install in your home... or a glass case...

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot, Gary! This’ll be put to use in the semi near future on a double door setup. Thanks for watching!

[@garyjones2582]

@@randomrestoration6858 you make em, we'll watch em...

[@gaylekowalchuk506]

Wow the lacquer made a remarkable change! Would the top section of the door also have had its own lock set?

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot, Gayle! It doesn’t beat proper bronze plating as far as strength goes, but it really does look like a plated piece when seen in person. Thanks a lot for watching!

[@user-sq2ib6mk7v]

На простой задвижке столько узоров!!!👍

[@randomrestoration6858]

Действительно есть! Спасибо за просмотр!

[@davidroosa4561]

cool stuff

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you for watching, David!

[@IronManRestoration]

Awesome Restoration

[@randomrestoration6858]

Very much appreciated, man! Thanks a lot for watching!

[@elisabethnadalini9324]

Splendid restoration has we can hope from you 😊💋👍i would like to see the door to which this lock belongs 😉

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot! This won't be installed on a door for a number of months, but hypothetically it'll be installed on a dark-stained hardwood double door setup. Thanks for watching!

[@Lawn-Overgrown]

good good

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks a lot!

[@Archiemonty]

7:57 that's a nice contrassed to the black..

[@randomrestoration6858]

It is indeed! Thank you for watching!

[@lynwoodlewis6002]

Do you ever install any of this beautiful hardware on actual doors? If so, i would like to see the doors.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Most of the things I’ve restored up until now have not been installed on doors, but they all will be Tom the future! This foot bolt will be going on a building that’s going to get a bit of a remodel at some point in the future, and is being converted from a single door to double door. Thanks for watching!

[@healinbeet]

@@randomrestoration6858 Oh, so would you sell these? Or is the door you're going to use it on a personal one?

[@randomrestoration6858]

@@healinbeet Good question. Although I probably will sell some of my restorations in the future, the ones I’ve done so far are going to be kept and put to use

[@jamesmoe9188]

Ah, another lovely project! I am really enjoying these pieces, and the history/origin information. Kudos on the new airbrush setup, I for one liked the new lacquer quite a bit, both for the color, and the protection it will give the metal. And I finally have a constructive feedback after so many pieces without! The side had what appears to be some casting imperfections in the series of bars that could be etched out, though I have my suspicions that you left it in on purpose, either because of a preferred aesthetic, or possibly to provide me something to mention (if the latter, that's very kind of you). Tangent topic, a variation of this technology is used in glass double doors in many commercial spaces, albeit hidden within the frame of the door. Up too late again, starting to ramble. As always, enjoyed and appreciated! Also, thanks for the tip on the abrasive buffs.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks as always, James! I was quite happy with how it turned out, especially since I only had time to do one quick test with the airbrush before this piece. I did indeed leave the casting imperfections intentionally - The imperfection existed in the same location (between the same bars) on either side, and I figured I'd leave them be since it left the factory that way. That said, if the imperfections were only on one side I absolutely would have removed them since it would have disturbed me being so uneven haha. Thanks a lot for watching!

[@homeyshlitz]

Looks like it was made for a set of Dutch style door.

[@randomrestoration6858]

These were for double doors - it is installed on the door which has not handles so that it locks in place and acts like a solid wall. Without this, the doors wouldn’t close properly. Thanks for watching!

[@georgeshelton6281]

I just want you to know that I, never catch things like this too late.

[@randomrestoration6858]

I appreciate it, thanks for watching, George!

[@chriscraft9681]

👍

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thank you, Chris!

[@nsmith2908]

What kind of black paint are you using to fill in the recesses?

[@randomrestoration6858]

For this project I simply used a gloss spray paint that I sprayed into a container and sucked up with the syringe. Since this paint is so thin it doesn't cover up the details in the recessed areas, though I had to apply two coats. The lacquer I applied over the whole piece is very strong, so the paint in the recessed areas doesn't really need to be strong, it just has to adhere well. Thanks for watching!

[@vickiefowler1429]

It’s a beautiful piece but I can’t say I care much for the tinted lacquer color. Too orange! A nice antique bronze finish would have looked better!

[@randomrestoration6858]

Haha what the issue with the lacquer is the number of layers applied - the more you apply the darker the color gets. Since it was my second time using the air brush I found myself going over areas a few too many times, darkening it more than preferable. I’ll be doing more in the future, and as I get better and mess around with the color a bit I reckon it should look a lot nicer. A bronze looking finish is achievable this way, but it’s a complicated process matching the colors. I hope to get there in the future though! Thanks for watching!

[@drunkdunc8738]

Ah yes , foot bolts…for when toe nails just won’t do 🤔🍻

[@randomrestoration6858]

Hahaha perfect for those that stub their toes frequently! As always thanks for watching!

[@bradleytuckwell4854]

Where did you find such a beautiful lock

[@bradleytuckwell4854]

It’s not sketchy it looks awesome it looked great to start with and then your home brew knocked it out of the park

[@randomrestoration6858]

@@bradleytuckwell4854 Thanks a lot, Bradley! Hahaha, well I figured the lacquer in an odd shaped glass container looks a bit funky, but it does create a nice looking finish! Thanks for watching!

[@randomrestoration6858]

I should add, I found this foot bolt on eBay. I can't remember what I payed for it, but these do pop up from time to time, though they're usually missing the strike plate

[@CarsRestored]

Me: No way he can restore this Random: Hold my tools

[@randomrestoration6858]

Hahaha, thanks a lot for watching!

[@accaliamurraymusic]

I really love what you did with the lacquer. That's gorgeous

[@randomrestoration6858]

Thanks! Although this wasn't likely a sanded variant, "cut" or "ground" versions with polished and finely polished surfaces were offered throughout the years. My goal was to recreate the cut and polished surface, as these are going to be installed on a double door that have sanded and polished cast bronze hardware also in the "Windsor" design, and I want all the hardware to be the same finish. In most instances when one of these foot bolts pop up for sale they are either the unground variants, or they are quite rusted and the design is effectively ruined by pitting from rust. So using a less rusted unground version (which has more sandable material since it features a deeper recessed design) will be capable of looking more like the original sanded and polished version with little or no compromise to the ornate details. Thanks a lot for watching!

[@accaliamurraymusic]

​@@randomrestoration6858 Thank you -- that makes sense! I understand what you were going for. I didn't realise the company offered ground versions. Yeah a lot of old iron can be really rotted out - so that's cool you found a way to save it

[@carriejones6099]

Translucent, not transparent.

[@randomrestoration6858]

Haha very true! Thanks a lot for watching!