11-11-2020, 09:25 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-11-2020, 09:28 PM by Parazine.
Edit Reason: grammar
)
Decided today to have a look at he number plates for the Top Hat, thinking they would be easy to refit. I'm probably avoiding re-glazing that windscreen as well......
As always, more work was needed, including altering the length of the steel mounting strip for the rear plate. I also needed to strip the paint applied to both during the 1980's "cosmetic rebuild" as it was flaking and generally in a poor state. Underneath, where the number plate has protected it is an example of original 1920's finish, which I assume is "Stove Enamel".
This stuff is rock hard, heatproof, (tried to heat it with a heat gun and burn it off with a blowtorch to no avail) and resistant to cellulose thinners. It's very thin with no undercoat at all, straight onto the steel.
I always thought that "Stove Enamel" was merely cellulose that was applied then baked on but this stuff seems to be more than that.
Anyone know what it is, how it was applied and why it is no longer used? The finish is familiar, as a kid in the 1960's one came across old "stuff" with a similar finish but not now. Were there some nasty chemicals used in the production or painting process?
As always, more work was needed, including altering the length of the steel mounting strip for the rear plate. I also needed to strip the paint applied to both during the 1980's "cosmetic rebuild" as it was flaking and generally in a poor state. Underneath, where the number plate has protected it is an example of original 1920's finish, which I assume is "Stove Enamel".
This stuff is rock hard, heatproof, (tried to heat it with a heat gun and burn it off with a blowtorch to no avail) and resistant to cellulose thinners. It's very thin with no undercoat at all, straight onto the steel.
I always thought that "Stove Enamel" was merely cellulose that was applied then baked on but this stuff seems to be more than that.
Anyone know what it is, how it was applied and why it is no longer used? The finish is familiar, as a kid in the 1960's one came across old "stuff" with a similar finish but not now. Were there some nasty chemicals used in the production or painting process?
