Large Scale Central

Refurbishing Mama's Bakery No Ka Oi

Close! 9 and 13, and, yes, I think they are doing pretty good in their endeavors. I love having their company on train projects; I am thrilled that they undertake any projects!

And, as projects go, Youngest Daughter (Y.D.) grabbed her paints and Kid-zilla and set to work last weekend.

Her big role was to restore, if possible, original artwork, and to cover the blue where her brother made a mess (Kid-zilla forgot to mask the walls and “stone lanai” before painting the trim!). Yours truly did mask the roof while the artwork was occurring.

She did decide that some of the fine lettering was beyond saving. It is preserved for future archaeologists under white acrylic. Under her hand, though, the main artwork shines again, losing, in my opinion, none of its charm.


More mundane shots follow, but I include them only to mark progress.

I have to get glue to apply the roofing. I will also lay down a dark base over the “stones” before repainting them. The girls plan to add a new sign for the roof. We have a busy week, so it may be a while before this is done.

BTW, when these activities are occurring, I am usually finding the glues, paints, brushes, tools, etc. I always have a project, whether a rocket or a smaller railroad item, to give me an excuse to observe but not interject in the action.

Updates as progress merits!

Eric

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Update:

The dynamic duo were at it again today, restoring the artwork!

Y.D. elected to replace the original artwork, using photos as a guide. She elected to be true to the spirit rather than exact to the past. Their combined efforts are below:



I should get the roof glued on this week, then it is my duty to paint the “rocks” of the lanai. After which, Mama can host a grand reopening!

Have a great week!

Eric

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Gotta say I like what you have done with the place, can’t wait for the reopening of Mama’s

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Thanks, David (@David_Marconi_FOGCH )!

I re-stained the lanai, giving it a heavy black wash to refill all the nooks and crannies. I ran out of white acrylic, so I couldn’t make the grey to repaint the flagstones.

Almost done!

Eric

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try to mix your grey using white toothpaste.

Next time. I had already sent the kids to get the paint!

I am looking to get this project done this weekend.

Eric

Update:

Since I sent the kids on their bikes to the get the paint, I figured I’d better use it! All the flagstones got paint, and I touched up a few other areas. Tomorrow, I’ll finish converting food trays into windows.

Kid-zilla, for his part, finished painting the sales counter.

He thought there should be lettering. I reminded him no one would see it.

We are on track to place the bakery back on the RR for the annual garden party I host for my workmates and alumni. We’ll post a grand reopening glamor shot, complete with PLAYMOBIL, afterwards!

Eric

Update.

Pau! New windows, doors, and doorknobs are in place. We will take glamor shots in the coming week or two to close the thread. The building looks a lot better, now, and most of its original artwork survived, so I met my project goals. You can get a glimpse here 2025 Spring Running - Post your pictures here. To help preserve it, I sealed any seems along the top of the craftstick cladding and let the roofing material overlap those seems. We were also very generous in applying the exterior latex paint. We have learned that buildings last longer if you can bring them into the lanai, so the last step is to build a brick “enclosure” the size of the base to fit the bakery to allow for easy placement.

On to the next project!

Eric

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