GARAGE: Another Datsun Dealer Sign restored (LED Retrofit)

Recently, I acquired this beautiful Datsun Dealer sign with NEON tube lighting in Germany:

First thing was to take it apart and give it a proper cleanup:

This sign has been in storage with the previous owners in a dry place for 15 years. So the condition is quite good. But as it happens, it has collected a bit of dirt over the years:

One side of the plexiglass sign had some scratches, but the other one is still in remarkable condition.

Next was to remove all old electronics. We don’t need those filters and brittle old sockets / starters anymore, and the wiring doesn’t seem very safe and also not correct to the current electric installation standards / codes.

Once I had everything removed, I also gave the frame a proper cleanup with some warm soap-water. I like to have things clean, but without destroying the patina, that show’s it’s age.

While at it, I noticed that some bolt-holes were tightened a bit too much in the past, so they got bent outwards. So I hammered them straight again.

After a few days, the new inverterless LED Tubes arrived  (Neutral white, 15W). While I love the buzzing sound and slight flickering of old Neon-signs, I’m not a fan of replacing starters every now-and-then.
Also, they’re just not that safe, energy-efficient or environmental-friendly like new LED tubes. So while at it anyway, I always ensure to bring them to the latest technology inside. Also because it’s cheap and easy.
Left are the old components, right side shows the new ones:

I removed all old rusty mounting brackets, which held the sockets, which were all cracked. It’s not really safe to have cracked 230V AC sockets in a metal frame.

Here we have the new ones:

And finally, everything installed. 3x new tubes, all new wiring (up to latest EU-standards), and everything cleaned.

I also made sure to install this “insulation” tape, as it was on the original ones. Probably to avoid noise or vibrations?

And everything back and assembled again. I really like the look of this one. the LED light distributes evenly and the brightness fits.

I also removed that one extension bracket on the top and replaced all bolts with stainless-steel ones, as the originals all had heavy corrosion.

This is the backside. Now, I only need to find a good spot in the garage / workshop to hang it. Overall it was a nice / quick job and Im absolutely satisfied with the results.