Getting excited!
Discussion
Really want to get into Classic car restoration (I'm a cabinet maker/Antique restorer by trade) and fingers crossed this might be the first step! A customer has bought in a full set of woodwork for a MkVI Bentley... Really really hope I can secure this as it would be a dream come true to do something like this! :-D
What a terrific project and I'm sure you will find it very interesting.
How are you planning to refinish? A suitably robust and long lasting alternative to the original shellac would look amazing. The modern polyester which is so thick and glass-like just does not right on woodwork of that vintage.
I hope you'll post pics of the finished job!
How are you planning to refinish? A suitably robust and long lasting alternative to the original shellac would look amazing. The modern polyester which is so thick and glass-like just does not right on woodwork of that vintage.
I hope you'll post pics of the finished job!
Well done you! i look after a client's MkVI Bentley, very nice, underrated car. You might just be of use to me at some stage on one of the projects. I have a Jaguar XK150 roadster in thai is having the works, shell in bare metal etc.
Something i would say is that from the angle you are coming from you will have a good understanding of the various finishes and how to make them 'right'. I see too much wood in cars these days that looks like it has been finished in 2k lacquer, when a finish akin to french polish would be more appropriate. researching what something looked like in period is both rewarding and engaging for the client too..
Good Luck with your venture!
Peter
Something i would say is that from the angle you are coming from you will have a good understanding of the various finishes and how to make them 'right'. I see too much wood in cars these days that looks like it has been finished in 2k lacquer, when a finish akin to french polish would be more appropriate. researching what something looked like in period is both rewarding and engaging for the client too..
Good Luck with your venture!
Peter
Started working on it today... First job...
removing the fablon from a previous restoration! FABLON!! I ask you!!
Then Stripping off the old finish. This is the drop down flap on the back of the front seats.
After Stripping.
The three holes are for the mounting dowels for the small handle.
I did a trial run with the veneer press as well today to get myself familiar with its operation... using one of my jumpers
removing the fablon from a previous restoration! FABLON!! I ask you!!
Then Stripping off the old finish. This is the drop down flap on the back of the front seats.
After Stripping.
The three holes are for the mounting dowels for the small handle.
I did a trial run with the veneer press as well today to get myself familiar with its operation... using one of my jumpers
SV8Predator said:
You haven't told us the method/material you are going to use for the refinishing?
Been into see the firm that supplies my furniture finishing needs (be it cellulose polish or various paints) I have been advised to use a two pack polyurethane lacquer for durability... though I am still unsure on this as I am sure it is going to give a plasticy finish... I am going to liaise with the customer and make sure of what he wants before I start the polishing process... still a fair way of of that stage yet! tonasis said:
Great post!
Glad you got the job, how's it all progressing?
Slow and steady progress... Most of the stripping has been done. I am now removing the dodgy veneer from two of the door cappings. Glad you got the job, how's it all progressing?
I am also doing a proper trial run with the press now. Got a bit of rubbish veneer and gluing it to a small piece of MDF... should be ready to take out in about an hour or so.
Will post some more photos tonight.
Yertis said:
Aren't you out Wiltshire way or somewhere like? I've been thinking of getting in touch with you about having our financially worthless but stylishly timeless '60s G-Plan table refinished.
Yep live near Marlborough :-)Dining table refinishing is bread and butter work for me :-)
I'll PM you my contact details...
EddyP said:
Look good!
What sort of glue would you use for something like this? I presume something more exotic than PVA?
You could use PVA but as it stays elastic and is not the most durable it is best not to... What sort of glue would you use for something like this? I presume something more exotic than PVA?
I used urea formaldehyde for my test the other day and I will use that for the job proper. A fellow woodworker/veneerer has advised to add 5% PVA to the UF to give a little flexibility and take some of the brittleness of the UF away.
I will do another test with that mix and see what happens.
saladin said:
SV8Predator said:
You haven't told us the method/material you are going to use for the refinishing?
Been into see the firm that supplies my furniture finishing needs (be it cellulose polish or various paints) I have been advised to use a two pack polyurethane lacquer for durability... though I am still unsure on this as I am sure it is going to give a plasticy finish... I am going to liaise with the customer and make sure of what he wants before I start the polishing process... still a fair way of of that stage yet! davepoth said:
Originally I think it would have been a cellulose finish. The reason was that was the best thing available, but it's not particularly UV stable (as I'm sure you'll know). It'll look nicer though.
Thought that would have been the case... Seen plenty of tables that have been overexposed to UV...Not pretty!I think for durability two pack is the way to go... Will have to see what the customer prefers..
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