Stumped No More: Pulling Roots and Painting Doors! - Industrial renovation

Stumped No More: Pulling Roots and Painting Doors! 🌳🎨
In today’s video, we tackle two satisfying restoration milestones: pulling out a stubborn tree stump with a trusty tractor and giving the factory’s front door a much-needed makeover! 🚜✨
Watch as the Cold War Mercantile journey continues-where challenges turn into triumphs and every small win gets us closer to restoring this historic factory to its former glory. From the dirt-flying drama of stump removal to the vibrant transformation of a newly painted door, this video is packed with grit, determination, and a splash of color.
🎥 What to Expect:
✔️ Tractor vs. Stump: Will the roots give way, or will the stump win?
✔️ Front Door Glow-Up: See the transformation from drab to fab with a fresh coat of paint.
✔️ Behind-the-Scenes Restoration Tips: Learn how every task brings us closer to a fully restored venue space.
💬 Have a Question or Want to Share? Drop a comment below! Let us know your favorite part of the video or share your own restoration stories. We love hearing from our amazing community!
💡 About Cold War Mercantile:
Welcome to my channel, where we’re restoring an abandoned Buster Brown Shoe Co. factory in Charleston. This is a DIY (or D.I.Don't 😅) journey of grit, heart, and a whole lot of learning on the fly. Whether it’s clearing trash, repairing windows, or transforming spaces, every step is documented for history-and for YOU!
have a question? send me an email
[e-mail]
🔗 Links & Resources:
📺 Subscribe for More:
☕ Support the Channel: Buy Me a Coffee Here.
buymeacoffee.com/coldwarmercantile
Amazon Wishlist
www.amazon.com...
✨ Special Thanks:
To all my amazing subscribers and viewers who keep this journey alive with your encouragement, care packages, and support. Huge shoutout to Bob, Neil, and everyone lending a hand to make this dream a reality! 🙌
Also thanks to the sponsors of today's video Gene and Georgia!
🔔 Subscribe, Like, and Share
If you enjoyed this video, hit the thumbs up 👍 and share it with your friends. Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications so you’re the first to see the next adventure in this epic factory restoration!

[@TheOldMansPicks]

Three more videos to go and my binge is complete! Two extremely hard workers here. Glad to see you brought out the big guns.

[@sldulin]

my approach would have been to use a proper choker and employ mechanical advantage

[@plebeian_egalitarian]

Using that lawnmower to try to pull stumps is creating a lot of extra work.

[@GreatRegression]

The work you and your friends are doing is very impressive. Keep at it, friend! ❤

[@brickandsole]

Oh my gosh! That is so kind of you! And also thank you for the kind words!

[@Jennifermcintyre]

Such great friends to come back and help again!! The building keeps looking better!!

[@brickandsole]

Thanks! I couldn't agree more. IT made a huge impact and I haven't even shown everything we accomplished yet!

[@matthewholzinger1042]

When using a prybar or claw hammer to remove nails, place a piece of plywood-board-steel underneath the tool to spread the pressure to keep from denting the surface you are working on. Thick enough to do the job but not so thick that it impedes the leverage of the tool.

[@brickandsole]

I usually do that, I don't know why I didn't hear. Sometimes I just get impatient. Guilty as charged!

[@chuxmix65]

As a caretaker... Clearing the perimeter makes sense. Eaves should drip on gravel. Doing it however... Good on ya for getting started.

[@brickandsole]

Yeah, just like everything here it is an incredibly monumental task. But in time..

[@BIGD-lg1qd]

Thanks!

[@brickandsole]

Thank you so much. You are the best! Sent you a Facebook message.

[@gabem6362]

❤🎉

[@andrewklahn7899]

They look like they're brand new doors again😊

[@brickandsole]

Just one last coat to apply, I'll give an update once we polish the hardware.

[@richw2615]

You can also use the three point raise hydraulics to pull up on the stumps. They have a tremendous amount of lifting power.

[@steelrain4362]

You got some amazing work done this year before winter set in.

[@brickandsole]

Yes it was a whirlwind 3 week trip!

[@Youviewer123]

When pulling the roots if you lift the chain up onto something like a truck or car wheel rim on edge & pull it, the rim will act as a fulcrum and give you a bit more applied force ( it’s a bit like doubling rope on a pulley )

[@talltom1129]

I just commented the same on the previous video. Can't believe nobody there ever learned that trick. Saves a lot of wear and tear on your truck or tractor, too

[@garyjones2582]

Chris there is a family in Indiana that is restoring a school house to live in and they discovered a company that recycles paint that can be tinted to any color that you want and is a fraction of the cost of new paint... Get you some painter's tape.. its a lot easier than using a razor blade.. more professional looking also... Thx for bringing us along on another adventure...

[@brickandsole]

Funny you should mention that. I have been watching other successful channels in this niche lately to see how they have been so successful and that was one of the channels on my list. Very interesting.

[@82ndairbornevet]

Chris, progress is looking good. Glad you had more friends show up to help out! When pulling stumps and old roots out next to a building, always make sure they are not directly on top of any utility pipes that you might accidentally break and pull out with them!😮 Keep on Truckin’😎

[@brandonedwards6976]

The outside is starting to look good. Are those your old cars and old race car?

[@terismith3279]

Enjoy the holidays with your family in Poland. Bob, have a great holiday season as well.

[@brickandsole]

Thank you! I will. You too! (but not in Poland haha)

[@brickandsole]

Yeah agreed the earth around the building is a giant mystery, also I was afraid of the effect it would have on the bricks too but so far so good.

[@markbollig469]

When pulling bushes out soak area with garden hose first an they will come out easier

[@brickandsole]

I have got so many helpful tips. I need to incorporate all of them at once and give one giant effort. I bet we win!

[@MazichMusic]

I used a man-man auger to dig around the roots of a bush. Eventually you get it under the the root ball. A few tugs with the tractor and they come out

[@arklite360]

Like a jigsaw it's coming together 🙏💖

[@richardbrobeck2384]

The Doors look great !

[@brickandsole]

Thanks, I need to give them another coat and I can't wait to polish the hardware and see the final result.

[@qori14]

I grew up with a father and three brothers, so I know how much fun they got from a challenge like your tractor-and-chain tree removal. But I drench the bush-and-tree stumps with vinegar. Repeat as needed. so much easier. I do enjoy your videos! ♥♥

[@OddJobFix]

Yanking the stumps is hard on the equipment. A steady strain and an electric demo hammer makes short work of it.

[@jimbecker5675]

A mini excavator would be really helpful with clearing out all those stumps and other bigger debris.

[@Biggdaddy903]

Just remember that there's no failure just learning how not to do something. Failure only happens if you quit. Peace and happy New Year to you and your family and friends.

[@justnana2256]

It's looking good. I love the door color. ❤️👍🇺🇲

[@brickandsole]

It is pretty close to the original color which is great!

[@kurtkuechenberg1684]

A painters tip...you can tint the primer to the color of the top coat, that helps to get a nice finish color. But I gotta say...those doors say " I am a working building again."

[@trevorupton6904]

I was just about to say that I was a for years and it does work

[@brickandsole]

Do you just take it to the counter and ask them to tint it? or is it something you buy and. mix in?

[@trevorupton6904]

@@brickandsole yes sir 😁

[@kurtkuechenberg1684]

@@brickandsole you can just buy the tint or the larger chains will match it for you, just bring in a sample of the color you have.

[@jerridavis6462]

Enjoyed from Texas 🎄

[@brickandsole]

Thank you TEXAS (specifically Jerri Davis)

[@Hope-fv3kf]

We can all hope it doesn't grow back. Not sure that is how it works though.

[@brickandsole]

so true. there is me.... the eternal optimist.

[@sharlettedavidson81]

Love the doors….❤

[@brickandsole]

Me too, and they will be even better soon as the hardware is done!

[@bobangove5572]

😮go man go😊

[@bearhardcorepicker]

The old numbers look like the 1950s - 70s sheet aluminium ones that had a brass finish. They likely nailed them on because there's usually just a peel-and-stick adhesive on the back. First coat of dark paint over white primer tends to always look scary. Looks really good with a second coat, though!

[@brickandsole]

One more to go (which I didn't get around to on this trip but I'll do an update when I polish the hardware)

[@chuckborghoff8443]

Try some Brasso on the copper and brass. Available at supermarkets and hardware stores.

[@richard8181]

Yes the copper polished and clear lacquer would look great Also this is for the algorithm. MORE comments help the channel ✊️

[@brickandsole]

cheers! thanks for the support.

[@houtexxxx]

I like your choice of music.

[@brickandsole]

thanks, using AI to make it. its been fun to play with and use.

[@generalgood]

Also use a tire and rim under the chain when pulling out roots for more power u can see others on youtube doing it seems to make it easier to pull

[@brickandsole]

We tried that in the next upcoming video but I think the tire didn't have enough air and gave a cushion to the pull which worked against us, needed a fully aired tire.

[@TheOldMansPicks]

PRO TIP - Get your primer tinted to the same color as your top coat

[@cedricvarlan8337]

Hi, try to keep of the old paint before

[@kevin_delgado]

Block and tackle would have made the stump pulling easier and safer. Definitely recommend for any future pull attempts. Tons of videos on YT for it.

[@brickandsole]

I'll KZbin that and see what is involved with that strategy, more video to come on this but it was recorded before this message.

[@GordonCrago]

@@brickandsolesome suggested videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmm2e3qnaZdlhLMsi=947j0O5ePk2koqJH kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJiaf6afqap-jK8

[@johnlyon326]

Great material and I hate to be picky, but could you have the zero upside down? It doesn't look quite aligned with the 1.

[@brickandsole]

took me a minute to figure out what you were talking about haha.

[@louderone6133]

Nice font on the building numbers. I'm going to send over a couple of JPG files that are an old font from the railroad. They are not copywriter and fair use. They might be of the older style you may be looking for if you want signs hand made in the future. I have scaled them up and down with a printer and made stencils for stuff and it looks great. I cannot find the name of the font anywhere and haven't found it on any internet searches. I think the curveyness of them make it an interesting font and I like it. The bigger you make the letter or number, the better they look.k.

[@brickandsole]

Dwayne! starting to be able to remember names with user handles. Got em and I replied thanks so much!

[@generalgood]

I have one more idea to share and that is to get a hvlp spray gun with a corse finish tip on it so u can have a uniform orange peel finish and u dont need to sand and prep for smooth finish u can achieve a uniform orange peel finish that will look like a gel coat finish quick,easy,fast and will hide defects

[@brickandsole]

NIce. cheers!

[@generalgood]

Hey there Joe from Toronto Canada Just thinking maybe u could consider black rocker paint that sprays textured so that you can hide the roughness of the finish Same texture as truck bed liner

[@brickandsole]

Yeah I have seen that stuff. I'll look it up.

[@stevejansen7953]

When pulling a stump run the chain over a spare wheel with tyre on it & the stump will come out easier.

[@MASTER3RDEYE]

Paint Tip: There is product called masking tape used where you don’t want paint. For example, windows panes.

[@cedricvarlan8337]

Hi, make a fire over root, the tree no come back

[@thyslop1737]

There is no one still alive that worked there that can give you some insight to the building, how it functioned, etc, maybe some historical info.?

[@brickandsole]

they are very few sadly.

[@feathers352]

You could solder a small patch over the holes is you wanted to seal it up.

[@brickandsole]

YEah, I am wondering if the holes actually are a benefit for keeping it drained and dry. But the holes higher up. Yes. thats right.

[@calysagora3615]

@@brickandsole That thing all patched and polished up would look very nice, but it might be a big job making an invisible patch, perhaps just putting a big copper nail in it will look OK with some polish. (and put some sealant behind it.)

[@darkwintermute]

Are you generating the music via ai? if so, very cool.

[@brickandsole]

Yes Suno.com

[@scottbond9523]

Been watching from nearly the beginning - really enjoy your videos… but I have one nagging question - couldn’t you have found a building to renovate closer to your home?

[@brickandsole]

This was in my home town, and we bought it when we were living there before we decided to move back to Poland. Having a baby forces some hard choices in life. Anyway it's a challenge but we are making it work. Some day the baby will be old enough to travel and we'll be able to make longer stays and get more done.

[@luci75d76]

Next time see some videos how to remove tree stumps with the tractor. You need a tire a car tire 🛞 and to put the chain on him to lift it up of the Ground to snap the roots

[@rickschill9008]

At 5:07 pause the video and look at the top of the photo from the middle to the right it looks like a window was bricked in.

[@brickandsole]

Yeah, I have spent hours looking at those pics. I can't make them line up in my mind.

[@thyslop1737]

A day with a skid steer would have taken care of all those roots and stumps.

[@Nessy-of-the-Lynn]

With a trunk that thick the tree must have been very tall. The root system is as big in diameter as the tree was tall. Meaning a 80 foot tree will have 80 ft diameter root system. Without cutting the roots I don't think you will get that stump out even with bigger equipment. That is why many people opt to just cut/grind it down to the ground and bury it. If you go that way you will have to add fill in as the stump rots.

[@RogerEbert-vy5pv]

I recall hearing those glass blocks have a pressurized core. Maybe someone can confirm.

[@brickandsole]

I don't know. I'll look it up. Could drop one and see if it explodes like a vintage tv.

[@jessehardin8500]

Some of them do. Im not sure how to tell which ones have the pressurized gas inside though

[@MargueriteOelrich]

Can you add a sign that really answers a big question? MAIN. ENTRANCE.........I think I would have no question that I was delivering mail to correct location.

[@westernwashingtonhistory1889]

cut the back side of the root with a recip saw, long wood blade.

[@RegisMichelLeclerc]

Maybe you should have started by removing the hardware from the doors before painting and used masking tape to avoid the razor scraping step? To avoid the paintbrush marks, I use sponges, they're pretty inexpensive and the only drawback is that the coats are very thin, requiring at least a second coat, but it's fast (almost as fast as a paint roller) and fairly precise (much more than a roller). Also, avoid painting when it's cold, it simply won't cure, up to the point where you get the paint "swelling" , which means scraping everything and doing it again. From my personal experience, painting a wall with lacquer at 5ºC is not a good idea. For the stumps, it looks you'll either have to dig, which is long and tedious, or kill the stump in place with chemicals, which can take years. A narrow trunk doesn't mean it'll be easier to pull out: if it was high, it has roots that were able to sustain the momentum of strong winds at its top, which quickly amounts to several tons. The only solution is to dig around the stump ad severe the main roots with a chainsaw, including under the stump. Be careful with the chains and make sure no-one is in the radius of the chain when you're pulling: when a chain snaps, the back-force makes the chain sweep everything around at high speed (up to supersonic) and high kinetic energy, with the corresponding shockwave (the "snap" sound, up to a supersonic bang like with whips), usually resulting in death. Just yell "clear!" before you start pulling. On sailboats they add "ready to turn!" before the boom sweeps over the place, it avoids screaming "man at sea!" seconds later... Same goes with chains and cables under tension.

[@brickandsole]

Thanks for the tips. As for the hardware we are going to buff it all off, but it would have made better coverage for sure if I did.

[@gabem6362]

Yep one disaster at a time .. good man reasoning 👍🏻

[@swampflux]

My guess is not hand rail or fence but bicycle rack

[@yhwhtlc9217]

Paint looks great.....the hardware, will you paint those black? Or green too? Cars,,,,send a registered letter to the owner to say come get them within 15 calendar days, otherwise you will have them taken to junk yard as the cars are now sitting on private property. That way you have covered yourself legally.

[@brickandsole]

they are brass will polish them.

[@MrJeep75]

It was a hand rail

[@brickandsole]

Seems so.

[@deandigiacomo2010]

👍👍

[@BIGD-lg1qd]

Steel wool and soapy water will bring the copper back

[@brickandsole]

Duly noted!

[@kevinganje3356]

Put that camera down and get paintin', Chris!

[@brickandsole]

Preach it!!!

[@toniasalways]

A package drop into the building through an existing opening like a window. That way most packages will go through and drop into the building. You do realize you probably just ruined that wood chisel??

[@brickandsole]

Yeah, I have been racking my brain about how to do one that is big enough without allowing people to crawl through, like at the post office. for now I have settled on the metal box approach, video on that soon.

[@ppetry2402]

Where is link to your wish list👌

[@brickandsole]

its in the description of most of the recent videos. But here it is. www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/ZPXAPBAXL98B/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1 -Cheers!

[@MASTER3RDEYE]

Tugging on the stumps is not good fort the tractors.

[@craigbloxham8344]

If those cars are on your property and have been so for over a year they are yours. Advertise as free scrap.

[@toddgore2289]

I was wondering the same thing….who is the guy who owns these? I would’ve assumed they were abandoned/scrap on your property?

[@foreman746]

Security cameras and motion lights, and some signs of no trespassing and will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law..and more cameras,solar lights, especially the front of the building 🏫 🏫...

[@foreman746]

I,m a retired security professional and construction contractor and 2 hour's away from you, would love to visit and help with your security problems and drive a Valkyrie tour and a kwik kamper behind her to stay in,have some brothers and sisters their,I'm in rolling thunder chapter 3 Olney Illinois and live in Mount Vernon Illinois and I,m a great cook..grill,stove, 🔥 fire..will be up that way in the spring 🌼🌱...

[@craigbloxham8344]

You need some Tordon.

[@brickandsole]

will look it up.

[@rikb.7772]

Bro, you need a better microphone, there is several times I cannot hear you very well.

[@MASTER3RDEYE]

Put a freaking drip cloth on the ground for crying out loud. Nothing screams amateur than paint drips on the concrete.

[@MASTER3RDEYE]

Painter’s tip: prepare wood prior to painting. Nothing worse than a poor paint job.

[@Bighand4]

Sorry to say this. You are not a good painter. That wood thing you tried to get out of the ground probably have to be dug out. A full days work, if you dont have som huge machinery.

[@brickandsole]

Yeah that is the situation in almost every project, I have no experience or ability. But it has been a great learning process for me on this whole thing.

[@daviebaggins]

How else does a person learn but by actually doing it.​@@brickandsole