Well build (1) I removed the old top, now I’m going to restore/ fix/ repair/ or ruin the original Top Bows! We shall see! It worked on my California Flexi flyer wood! See how the second bow goes!
I’m probably not gonna find this kind of canvas again, so I found this old-school wire loom cloth tape that should do the trick!
Nice job. I wish I had my bows to be able to fix them. I have a 1934 Ford Vicky. Anyone aware of vendors that make replacement bows?
Mac’s auto parts online, Says they do, its a wood working company they use to special order build, up to 90 days wait time. Not sure if it’s still current. They also have a new upholsterer they use that is learning La Baron-Bonney techniques, since they went out of business. I was heart broken when I heard that. I wanted them to redo my original seats, now I am scared to find an old school upholstery shop to do them right.
I'm sure your epoxy will hold just fine, but I don't think it would hurt to also add a couple of stainless steel, countersunk, wood screws to further give you piece of mind.
Yeah, I was thinking doing that when I’m all done gluing cracks, most of those have a dovetail slot, not an actual break, so they look worse than they are. A few are actual cracks, for sure, screw-in those, I’m not too worried about the appearance because I’m painting it all black anyway, brushed on with thinned oil base enamel, so it kind of gets in and seals it a bit. In theory anyway!
Well just played around sanding a few minutes, have three bows for comparison, the first one is one that needs to be repaired, the second one is just glued the third one is sanded after being glued, once I paint it black, it will look fine, I will say that this is a success so far!??
Well, the last two top bows are going to be a little bit of a challenge! Number 1 header panel is worn down. And Number 2 from the front, had the worst damage, but I am confident in JB Weld epoxy! I know it’s actually stronger than the wood! I’m just hoping that it is pliable enough though, that the Staples will go through it when it’s all cured! I know wood filler would just probably split and crack! They are going to be painted black so no one will ever see them at least! Some people are probably saying why do you bother with the rotten wood! I’m just doing it for the challenge, and I don’t have any money right now to get some made, So I’m going completely old school!
i would have saved them too, good job. when you get done i would give them a coat of "poor mans wood preservative", 50/50 mix of linseed oil and turpentine. the turpentine thinning helps it to soak in a bit deeper, and the linseed oil will dry better
The pieces could be used as patterns to router a new piece or set with a long flush cut bit that uses a bearing to follow the old shape. A 2" long flush cut router in a router table could duplicate the wood pieces fairly easy to make a new part. Screw the old wood on top of a wood blank and trace the the old part with the router bearing. That will give the exact same shape outline in the new wood.
Nice job! Please resist the temptation to drive extra screws into these. Modern wood glue like Titebond is so good, all you have to do is sand the joining surfaces a bit to open the pores, get good coverage, and clamp the pieces together tight. 24 hours after you put them together, they ought to be good for another 90 years. I build furniture. Screws are no match for a good glue-up. In the bow that was chewed up, you could route the damage out and scab in a fresh chunk of wood.
I found the first roll on Amazon, its ok. Now I ordered a 2” wide electrical Wire loom cloth tape, we will see if its better. Also Amazon. Trying to replicate the original oil cloth, that was in there before, i guess for squeaks, and a barrier between wood, and metal. First one is more stretchy. Hoping the second is more canvas like?
Well the Last time Gluing! Just Cure, sand and paint and I am Done with Those! And After a couple try’s at the Canvas Tape I think I found the right stuff! Same here thickness, width, and style! Pretty sticky! But I might glue the edges anyway. Man I Love Amazon!
Just peeled a little piece off to play with, and it sticks to itself. But you can also unpeel it, then compared it with the original stuff and it’s real similar. If you don’t know what I’m talking about it’s a little tape that goes between the bracket and the top bow to keep it from squeaking or rust staining the Wood etc. i’m not gonna get so anal and worry about the canvas part, just the tape. I’ll just make it thicker in those spots!
Before I Tear into the metal problems, I’m trying to finish up the top bows, decided to trial fit them before sanding and painting, they look pretty darn good! And are hecka stronger than they were! it’s amazing how much it makes the top rigid with those bolted in. Got to take them out and paint them now! Then it’s off to metal repair! Yippee Skippy!
The Jalopy Journal
