Re: Adventures with a 1955 Clipper
Posted by JWL On 2011/10/28 16:46:13
Hello All,
I've been busy on the Clipper, but not a lot of progress to report. My latest efforts have involved polishing and waxing the exterior. This job comes under the title of work. It is taking some time to do the car. I am using a Turtle Wax polish and cleaner and a Meguiar's cleaner wax. The polish and cleaner is doing a good job of removing surface dirt and small imperfections. The cleaner wax does a nice job of removing wax and cleaner residue and providing a nice shine. The Onyx color is coming back to life. One thing about lacquer paint is that as long as there is some there it can be polished. Of course I can't polish out the dents, but I can make them shine.
During this job I have taken off small trim pieces to better clean and polish them and to restore the finish under these pieces. As I moved to the front of the car I removed the hood ornament and the "Clipper" script. While doing this I had to move part of the hood pad to get it out of the way to access to the rear nut on the ornament. This is where the polishing and waxing job took a sidetrack.
When I moved the pad back it was obvious that it had reached its service life. It was badly soiled, was coming apart on the underside surface, and was serving as a big dirt trap. It was beyond cleaning or saving. Removing the pad was an easy process. I spread a painting tarp over the engine so as to catch all the debris that would fall. I simply pulled the mat from the hood and then lightly scrapped away the remaining material. I then folded the mat and placed it in as sack and took it to the trash cart. Lastly, I wiped down the surface with some mineral spirits.
It had the original gray fiberglass type insulating material. I was sorry to see this go, as it is no longer available. I began looking around for a suitable replacement. The previous owner sells replacement mats, but I did not like the look of the light colored mat being offered; although, this is being widely used. The mat he sells for the senior 1956 senior cars is much more attractive, but pricy.
I recently had to buy some foil-backed bubble insulating mat for a house project. I thought this type of mat should work as its construction looks like the core for the replacement 1956 seniors mat. I went to my nearby Lowe's store and bought a roll of the insulating material. I then cut three pieces to size (48" wide at the rear, 42" wide at the front, and 41" long). I decided to use a stack of three pieces mainly for looks, not added insulating value. I think the thicker look will go better with the car. I trimmed the edges after gluing the three pieces together with a 3M spray adhesive. Then I painted the edges and the side that would be showing with Krylon gloss black. I thought the bright aluminum would be unattractive and too obvious. The black color will blend in to the underside of the hood and not be obvious. I used the same 3M spray adhesive to fasten the mat to the hood.
I have not run the car since installing the mat, and do not know how the mat and adhesive will perform in a warm engine compartment. Hopefully, it will be just fine. If it doesn't work out I may have to call Dwight. Now back to the polishing and waxing.
Thanks for taking time to read all of this. Your comments, as always, are welcome and solicited.
(o[]o)
Attach file:
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I've been busy on the Clipper, but not a lot of progress to report. My latest efforts have involved polishing and waxing the exterior. This job comes under the title of work. It is taking some time to do the car. I am using a Turtle Wax polish and cleaner and a Meguiar's cleaner wax. The polish and cleaner is doing a good job of removing surface dirt and small imperfections. The cleaner wax does a nice job of removing wax and cleaner residue and providing a nice shine. The Onyx color is coming back to life. One thing about lacquer paint is that as long as there is some there it can be polished. Of course I can't polish out the dents, but I can make them shine.
During this job I have taken off small trim pieces to better clean and polish them and to restore the finish under these pieces. As I moved to the front of the car I removed the hood ornament and the "Clipper" script. While doing this I had to move part of the hood pad to get it out of the way to access to the rear nut on the ornament. This is where the polishing and waxing job took a sidetrack.
When I moved the pad back it was obvious that it had reached its service life. It was badly soiled, was coming apart on the underside surface, and was serving as a big dirt trap. It was beyond cleaning or saving. Removing the pad was an easy process. I spread a painting tarp over the engine so as to catch all the debris that would fall. I simply pulled the mat from the hood and then lightly scrapped away the remaining material. I then folded the mat and placed it in as sack and took it to the trash cart. Lastly, I wiped down the surface with some mineral spirits.
It had the original gray fiberglass type insulating material. I was sorry to see this go, as it is no longer available. I began looking around for a suitable replacement. The previous owner sells replacement mats, but I did not like the look of the light colored mat being offered; although, this is being widely used. The mat he sells for the senior 1956 senior cars is much more attractive, but pricy.
I recently had to buy some foil-backed bubble insulating mat for a house project. I thought this type of mat should work as its construction looks like the core for the replacement 1956 seniors mat. I went to my nearby Lowe's store and bought a roll of the insulating material. I then cut three pieces to size (48" wide at the rear, 42" wide at the front, and 41" long). I decided to use a stack of three pieces mainly for looks, not added insulating value. I think the thicker look will go better with the car. I trimmed the edges after gluing the three pieces together with a 3M spray adhesive. Then I painted the edges and the side that would be showing with Krylon gloss black. I thought the bright aluminum would be unattractive and too obvious. The black color will blend in to the underside of the hood and not be obvious. I used the same 3M spray adhesive to fasten the mat to the hood.
I have not run the car since installing the mat, and do not know how the mat and adhesive will perform in a warm engine compartment. Hopefully, it will be just fine. If it doesn't work out I may have to call Dwight. Now back to the polishing and waxing.
Thanks for taking time to read all of this. Your comments, as always, are welcome and solicited.
(o[]o)
Attach file:
(49.24 KB)
(43.27 KB) (45.87 KB) (40.65 KB)
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