Ep 5. Astro-nuts and Bolts

In American Restoration season 6 episode 5, titled "Astro-nuts and Bolts," we see Rick Dale and his team take on some challenging restoration projects. The episode starts with Rick heading out to meet his client, Jeff, who has brought in a rare and valuable Apollo-era spacesuit. Jeff hopes that the team can restore the spacesuit to its original glory. The spacesuit was an actual prototype, designed and manufactured during the Apollo program. Rick and his team know that they have their work cut out for them, as the spacesuit is in pretty rough shape.

The team quickly gets to work, carefully removing the spacesuit's layers to see what's underneath. They discover that the suit is composed of various materials, such as nylon, rubber, and metal. The spacesuit was designed to protect astronauts from the harsh environment of space, and it's clear that the suit has been through a lot. The metal parts are rusted, and the rubber has dried out and cracked. It's a daunting task, but Rick and his team are determined to restore the spacesuit to its former glory.

While the team works on the spacesuit, Rick receives a call from a local museum. The museum has a vintage popcorn machine that they want to restore and display. The popcorn machine is from the 1920s, and it has a unique design. Rick is excited to take on the project and add it to his list of restorations.

Back at the shop, Rick enlists the help of his team to begin restoring the popcorn machine. The team carefully takes the machine apart and cleans each part. They discover that some of the internal parts are missing, and it becomes clear that they will need to fabricate some new parts to complete the restoration. Rick calls his trusted metalworker and fabricator, Kyle, to create the missing parts. Kyle is able to create the parts quickly, and the team is able to continue the restoration.

While the team works on the popcorn machine, Rick checks in on the progress of the spacesuit restoration. The team has discovered that the rubber parts are particularly challenging to restore, as they need to be flexible enough to move with the astronaut's body. Through trial and error, the team discovers a solution that allows them to restore the rubber parts without damaging them.

As the episode progresses, the team continues to work on both restorations. They face several challenges along the way, but with Rick's expertise and the team's hard work, they are able to overcome the obstacles. The episode ends with both the spacesuit and the popcorn machine fully restored and ready for display.

Overall, American Restoration season 6 episode 5 is a fascinating look at the challenges of restoring vintage and rare items. Rick and his team showcase their skills and expertise as they take on two very different projects. Viewers are sure to be impressed by the dedication and hard work that goes into restoring these historical items.