Welcome to week 9 of our series, Where We Hunt. One more week to go as we reveal our secrets, tips and favorite spots to hunt for the best junk around. Join us next Friday for the last hot spot and a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!
This week we explore junk yards! Sounds like an obvious spot for junk right? I’m sure the owners of these establishments would much rather I refer to them by their proper name, Auto Salvage Yards. Sounds way more fancy. Now, this little gem of a hunting ground is a little different than the others mentioned in the series. Salvage yards provide a pinpoint specific type of product for your hunting pleasure. The rules previously mentioned don’t apply here. Visits here may only need to be once a year and the pricing is higher than I would normally prefer. The creative open mind is still required. “But where is a salvage yard?” your thinking. Now that you are on the look out you will be surprised how many are around! I’m sure a junk yard hasn’t been on your go to shopping list until now. Cash is king and negotiating is acceptable. I literally have no clue what half the stuff I come across is, but it speaks to me. I had a welding class in college, I really should have paid more attention. The things you could do…I digress.
Rummaging through rows of cars on blocks, old tailgates and hoods stacked a mile high and buckets of gizmos galore is a great way to spend an afternoon if you ask me. This is a great teaching experience for the kids…they don’t make cars like they used. The oldies are goodies and their parts are too. You will find a massive array of choices as you stroll the auto graveyard. I am typically on the lookout for small parts and pieces that have interesting shape to decorate with or incorporate into artwork. I haven’t had a project lately that calls for large scale artwork, but this will be my go to place when one arises. An
We saw this in Atlanta – would have been perfect for us but it was sold! and it was a bit big to carry on the plane 🙂
old car hood as a canvas…amazing! Old doors painted as signs. I have seen tailgates transformed into furniture, the perfect accessory for a man cave or boys room. Hubcaps…oh my the possibilities!!! The Junk Gypsies once used slug bug window frames replaced with mirrors for a makeup vanity. (Head on over to my Pinterest boards for other cool ideas. Check in Monday as I reveal a little piece of junkyard art I am working on.) So the next time you drive by one of these elusive metal heaps, stop in and cruise around. It will be nostalgic at the least and inspiring for sure. Junk yards aren’t just for boys! Check out my junkyard art here.
I’ve used salvage yards before to find parts and it’s worked pretty well. Sometimes if you only need one small item that only comes in an expensive set, a junk yard is the best place. I haven’t tried to negotiate, like you said, but I’ll have to try next time. I’m generally just happy to have found the part I need.
I see you like junk yards…I had a nephew that took an old firetruck front end and made an out sidebar…he even made the headlights work. That was a long time ago and he also sold it a long time ago but I thought it was the neatest think.
That sounds amazing! I bet it was a cool piece. I would have liked to see that!!!
Love auto junkyards! There’s a woman in our county who welds, and cuts out flower pieces from car hoods. The flowers are amazing, but the hoods are art as well. Recycle/reuse!
XOXO Deb @roadside junker
That is so cool, what a great hobby, would love to see her work!