Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:15 am
Just one opinion.....
A serious collector wants the regulator in the best possible, but unrestored condition. If you are going to dive your vintage gear or are not worried about reducing the value, restore it and enjoy it. Double hose scuba has not reached a point where it is so rare that restorations are much of a problem. There seems to be a never ending supply on ebay and not much general interest. However, your's is approaching the hard to find stage. The green label was the first regulator actually made 100% in the USA. Personally, I think that is important.
My suggestion is to keep it as original as possible, including the hoses. If you change parts or hoses, keep the original stuff, in case you want to sell it. I would not repaint a tank which has original paint and decals that are presentable. If the tank has a coat of back yard brushed enamel on it, repainting is not much of a problem.
Gun collectors almost cry when someone wants to re-blue an antique firearm. For example, if you have a Colt Frontier Six-Shooter with a 50% finish and re-blue it, you now have a gun with no original fish, ie. a 0% finish. In that case, the price drops dramatically. In time that will happen to vintage scuba
I like to see my collectable gear look as original as possible, but safe and cleaned up, and without alterations. Steve