J Witt
Well-known member
I'm hoping I can get some clues from the forum about repairing some issues with the top on my '36 Phaeton.
The top has two bows at the aft end of the car that are attached to the folding hardware at each side by various screws and bolts. The forward one of these bows has broken apart right where the tightest radius in the bow occurs. The wood has just fractured through perpendicular to the grain. Tried glueing but there seems to be too much stress for the glued joints and it comes back apart. Also the wood in this area appears to be dry rotted or has iron disease or similar, so it's not stable for any stresses. I've given up on a repair for the existing bow.
The break is just above the edge of the canvas over the cinnamon dog.
I ordered a new pair of bows from LBB and they have arrived (8 weeks) in good shape and appear to be a good match in size and shape for the existing bows. I have to finish the bow, which will be with stain and urethane varnish. The new bow material appears to be red oak.
The corner cushions of the top are tacked to the original forward bow, but the top itself is just floating on the bow. I've made a tentative plan to (somehow) untack the pads, then remove the original forward bow and hopefully slide the new one into place.
Anyone who can make suggestions for this process, tips and tricks please let me know what you think. Sell car isn't an option
Thanks,
John
The top has two bows at the aft end of the car that are attached to the folding hardware at each side by various screws and bolts. The forward one of these bows has broken apart right where the tightest radius in the bow occurs. The wood has just fractured through perpendicular to the grain. Tried glueing but there seems to be too much stress for the glued joints and it comes back apart. Also the wood in this area appears to be dry rotted or has iron disease or similar, so it's not stable for any stresses. I've given up on a repair for the existing bow.
The break is just above the edge of the canvas over the cinnamon dog.
I ordered a new pair of bows from LBB and they have arrived (8 weeks) in good shape and appear to be a good match in size and shape for the existing bows. I have to finish the bow, which will be with stain and urethane varnish. The new bow material appears to be red oak.
The corner cushions of the top are tacked to the original forward bow, but the top itself is just floating on the bow. I've made a tentative plan to (somehow) untack the pads, then remove the original forward bow and hopefully slide the new one into place.
Anyone who can make suggestions for this process, tips and tricks please let me know what you think. Sell car isn't an option
Thanks,
John
