Ep 3. Buttered Up

In American Restoration season 1 episode 3, named Buttered Up, we see Rick bring a rare 1930s cartoon projector into the shop to restore back to its former glory. The projector was used to entertain children during the Great Depression era, and Rick wants to bring it back to life for future generations to enjoy.

The owner of the projector, Jim, has had it in his family for years and is excited to see it restored. The projector has been in Jim's garage for years, and he's concerned that it may not even work anymore. However, Rick is confident that he can restore it to its former glory.

Once Rick and the team start the restoration, they realize that it's going to be a difficult task. There are many small parts that are missing, and some that are damaged, so they will have to search for replacements. Additionally, the projector is covered in grease and dirt from years of use, so it will need a thorough cleaning.

As the restoration progresses, Rick and his team have to be creative and resourceful to find the missing and damaged parts. They even visit a local museum to examine a similar projector that is in better condition. This information helps them to create missing parts and get the projector's mechanism working again.

Rick also turns to his friend and leather specialist, Lonnie, to help restore the leather straps that hold the projector together. Lonnie is a master at restoring leather and knows just how to bring the straps back to their original condition.

As the team works to restore the projector, they learn more about its history. They discover that it was used to entertain children during the Great Depression and was an integral part of many families' lives during that difficult time. This adds a deeper meaning to the restoration and makes the team even more determined to make it perfect.

After many long hours of work, the projector is finally finished. Rick and Jim are both thrilled with the results and excited to see it in action once again. They set it up and project an old cartoon onto a white sheet, just like it would have been done in the 1930s.

Overall, American Restoration season 1 episode 3, Buttered Up, is a heartwarming and fascinating episode that showcases the skills and dedication of Rick and his team. It's a great reminder of the importance of preserving history and restoring items that may otherwise be forgotten.