Ep 19. Radioactive Rust

In season 21 episode 19 of American Pickers, titled "Radioactive Rust," the pickers Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz are on the hunt for unique and valuable items in rural America. Throughout the episode, they travel to various locations, meeting interesting people and uncovering hidden gems along the way.

One of the stops on their journey takes them to an old gas station that has been converted into a salvage yard. Mike's eye is immediately drawn to a rusted piece of metal that he recognizes as part of an old sign for a brand of gasoline. Upon further investigation, they discover that the sign was used to advertise a gas station that was once located down the road. The pickers negotiate with the owner of the salvage yard and are ultimately able to purchase the sign for a fair price.

The next stop on their journey brings them to a farm where they meet a woman who inherited her grandfather's collection of vintage radios. As they scan the shelves, they notice one radio in particular that looks different from the others. The woman explains that it was a special edition model created to commemorate the end of World War II. Mike and Frank are able to strike a deal with the woman and add the rare radio to their inventory.

Continuing down the road, the pickers come across an old warehouse filled with antique machinery. One piece that catches their attention is an old metal lathe. As they examine the item, they quickly realize that it is an industrial-sized machine that would be difficult to move without the help of professionals. After speaking with the owner of the warehouse and negotiating a price, Mike and Frank make arrangements to have the machine transported to their shop.

The final stop on their journey takes the pickers to an old mansion where they meet a collector who is downsizing his collection. As they wander through the rooms, they come across a set of antique chairs with intricate carvings. Mike is immediately drawn to the detail in the craftsmanship and believes they could fetch a high price. After negotiating with the owner, the pickers are able to make a deal and add the chairs to their inventory.

As the episode comes to a close, Mike and Frank head back to their shop to catalog their new finds and prepare them for sale. Fans of American Pickers will enjoy following the pickers as they travel through rural America, uncovering hidden treasures and meeting interesting people along the way. "Radioactive Rust" is a prime example of what makes this show so entertaining and informative.