Uncle Gene's History
Gene grew up outside of Greenwood, DE and started working in his Dad's construction business when he was old enough to "hold a shovel and a broom," doing all sorts of work but developed a knack for detailing and appearance at an early age. He kept his Dad's backhoe and dump truck spotless with daily cleaning and weekly washes.
As his Dad's business grew, Gene learned how to spray paint and started attending schools and clinics after his high school graduation to learn the art of refinishing and painting heavy equipment. As his fathers' fleet of equipment continued to grow, so did the need to refinish and repaint the equipment to keep it in good operable, working condition. Gene also learned to operate heavy equipment, got his CDL license and started going to sales and buying used equipment as well as new.
After spending 3 1/2 days per week in a paint shop for the next 10 years, Gene decided to start a business of his own, so he ventured out in 1986. "I was getting burned out refinishing equipment so I decided to start a seamless gutter company and do work on homes instead of trucks" Gene said. "I also started organizing closets as a way to get my wife involved. She really has a knack for that segment and we still have that business today."
After a 20 year stint in the gutter business, a decision was made in 2005 to sell that business and quit climbing ladders for a living. Gene continued to keep his refinishing skills but mostly on a hobby basis. In late 2007 Gene decided to get more into the refinishing business and thus "Uncle Gene's Restorations" was formed.
"I started buying old Ford tractors and sandblasting them, fixing them up, and selling them" Gene said. "Also, 5000 lb. forklifts were a big hit, not a quick claim to fame, but a satisfying segment of people to deal with. "It was almost like coming home," Gene testifies. "The work is still physically demanding but paints and equipment to apply it with have changed. Paints and chemicals are safer to use today than they were 30 years ago. I feel alot better about the application process than I did back then when I was doing it daily."
In July 2007, Gene met one of the greatest challenges of his career. He was comissioned to paint a brand new church near Bridgeville, DE. (You can see this church on their website at Crossroad Community Church ). It was a big project for an antique tractor restorer, 31,000 square ft. with 8000 sq. ft. sanctuary. "I guess I was up for the challenge" Gene said. "I said many prayers during the project and adopted my current Bible verse, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." I have had many compliments on that project, to which