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Post by ridgeydidge on Apr 10, 2007 14:08:40 GMT 10
The restoration has started, so it's time to start a thread. This is what she looks like at the beginning of this project. I've started cleaning up the near side to get undercoat on asap. I'll need to rebuild the door also. There are 2 windows missing and dirt and mould inside. Some of the timbers have had weather in them and will need replacing, as will the roof and most/all of the off side. And a few other jobs to do on her as well, but making a start is good. There is no time frame on finishing at this stage. Cheers, David
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Post by dosse on Apr 10, 2007 17:54:05 GMT 10
G'Day David/ridgeydidge. Looks like a good little project you have there, Keep the restoration photos coming. Regards David dosse
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Post by cobber on Apr 10, 2007 19:17:39 GMT 10
Good on you David, Now that you've posted "before" photos, you're pretty well committed to giving us "during" and "after" photos Any advice you need just ask the question here and somebody will have the answer. Regards, Cobber.
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MRFJ55
Full Member
" KEEP HOLDEN ON "
Posts: 441
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Post by MRFJ55 on Apr 12, 2007 17:33:18 GMT 10
WELL DONE MATE ! GOOD LUCK WITH THE RESTO ! I THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT YOUR VAN IS AN ATLANTIC (9 ' 6 ") AS IT LOOKS TO BE THE SAME AS MY LITTLE VAN "DORIS" . IF YOU WANT ANY MEASURMENTS OR FUTURE REFERENCE INFO YOU CAN SEND ME A PM AND I'LL SEE IF I CAN HELP OR CALL AROUND ONE DAY IF YOUR EVER NEAR BY . REGARDS , MAURIE .
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Post by ridgeydidge on Apr 12, 2007 22:29:19 GMT 10
Cheers everyone - I will keep you posted with progress. I'd like to think I can abide by the 20 minute rule, that is do 20 minutes worth each day (or most, or some days) and I'll get there. The reality will be fits and starts. For now I just attack another few square inches of peeling paint at a time as the chance arises. And yes - I have studied the thread on removing old paint and am happy that mine is so far gone it is coming off reasonably easily without chemical products being necessary - on the side I'm attacking for now anyway.
Maurie (and Belinda) - you seem sure its an Atlantic, but are there any markings I should be looking for to confirm this. I can't find any brand name anywhere on her.
Thanks also for the offers of info/measurements etc. I'll certainly take you up as needed.
Cheers, David
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Post by belinda on Apr 13, 2007 10:01:19 GMT 10
The total lack of markings seems to be a dead giveaway! Ted Gordon never did go in for decals or name plates or any such fancy stuff.
Another place to look for an ID is on the handle of the water tank. See if there is an oval "T G Patterson" plate folded into the handle. If it's there, I've seen the very machine that made the handle.
There may be some sort of ID on the chassis, which was probably made by Ajax.
Like Maurie, I'm dead sure it's an Atlantic. He and I have spent a lot of hours at the end of scrubbing brushes and paint scrapers so we know all the curves, the lights, the metal strips over the windows (be careful not to catch them on the gate as the van comes up to drive), the legs (everyone else will be jealous of them) and the back windows that leak atrociously unless you re-fit them. The sink, cupboards and water tank are identical, as is that red blotchy laminex.
At a guess though, yours is a later and improved version - smaller wheels, sides made from a single sheet of ply. It also has a longer A frame than Doris or our van (you lucky, lucky person), which would explain the absence of matching dents on either side of the metal stone guard.
"Dirt and mould" are great school holiday keep-the-kids-busy jobs. Why do you think our restoration started exactly three years ago?
If you find any metal buttons down among the crevices and cracks, save them. Even if rusty they will clean up with sandpaper, rust converter and Airfix paint for re-use in the new upholstery.
P.S. How did you get on with the pergola?
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Post by Roehm3108 on Apr 13, 2007 20:21:03 GMT 10
Good luck with the resto, David. I luv a bloke with enthooooosiasm ;D ;D ;D By the way, as an aside, that door you have - if you're rebuilding it, why not consider a stable door style with the top section hinged at the top as a weather-shield/sunshade?? Perhaps the purists won't agree, but I think they have real practical application. Cheers Ray
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Post by belinda on Apr 14, 2007 10:44:52 GMT 10
When you repair the door and work on that side of the van, consider making allowances for an annexe: - fit a roller to the top corner of the door. For originality, this should be made from a wooden cotton reel - fit sailtrack when you replace/repair the roof - when re-wiring, have inconspicuous 240v and 12v outlets installed (possibly inside the wheel arch?). Being able to use things like a light, kettle or electric frypan in the annexe can make life a lot easier. - think about how you will install a "skirt" along the bottom of the van to keep draughts out of the annexe. Ours attaches to concealed hooks underneath
I think we'd only been out in our van three or four times before Rob made noises about getting an annexe, and it has certainly made a big difference on trips.
cheers
Belinda
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Post by ridgeydidge on Apr 22, 2007 17:17:22 GMT 10
We have progress - all that peeling paint is now off the near side and one coat of primer applied that has been thristily consumed. The surface is still patchy and I will have to devote myself to the technical section to get some tips on the best way to go.
Also, the window frame from the near side is nearly sanded back for priming and u/coating.
As for the pergola - that is waiting for the leaves to fall so I can get a clear run at it, so while I have a let off there for now, the van is project #1.
Cheers, David
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Post by ridgeydidge on Nov 20, 2012 20:39:12 GMT 10
Ok, so it's been a while - only 5 years plus, but there has been progress of late, and more to come. Here is a look at what has happened. The new door is in the shed waiting for some fittings to go on before it goes on the van. Cheers David
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willow5075
Full Member
Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on Nov 20, 2012 20:53:09 GMT 10
Only 5 years? Good on you for persisting!
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Post by cobber on Nov 21, 2012 5:38:34 GMT 10
DAVID Well done mate.....I had faith, I've noticed you have been watching the forum and gaining inspiration and information.... No point rushing into a project like this one The Atlantic is a popular little van .... Just ask anyone who owns one... so hang in there and keep the progress photos coming Yvonne and I will be watching with special interest Cobber.
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Post by ridgeydidge on Mar 10, 2013 20:03:47 GMT 10
A little more progress..... Now I've bitten the bullet and tackled rot. Its not rocket science, or rocket speed unfortunately. Anyway - some progress is better than none. Cheers David
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Post by cobber on Mar 11, 2013 16:53:24 GMT 10
Looking good David ;D Shame the old lady you bought it from couldn't wait to see it finished....... she passed away a year or two ago we heard Haven't been feeling to good myself today..... so do you think you can expedite things a bit You're right, all that rubbish they write about rot being regrettable is wrong..... best plan is to pretend it isn't there. Now....... well......soon only two more bits of ply on the off side and you're nearly finished You may have noticed a few members have been moaning recently about loosing motivation on their restoration projects...... Why don't you tell them what keeps you keeping on could be a good kick starter for some of 'em Cobber.
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Post by Surf Tragic on Mar 11, 2013 21:28:27 GMT 10
Good to see what you're doing David, & 5 years since you left off............so............there's hope for me yet ;D ;D What a terrific little van, nice size & shape, you can really make something that will stand out with what you have there. This will be of great interest to me to follow the restoration, . Glad you've got going again ST
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Post by jenniewren on Mar 12, 2013 20:11:21 GMT 10
Love the shape of your van.....and that very NICE laminate!!! J
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Post by ridgeydidge on Apr 29, 2013 20:49:29 GMT 10
And some more progress. The unpainted portion is where the window will be cut out again. There's some internal framework around the window to fix first. The neighbour who has had a view for several years of the side I am now working on came and commended me on progress. It's nice to make a neighbour happy! Cheers David
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willow5075
Full Member
Willow & the MOTH
Posts: 355
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Post by willow5075 on May 1, 2013 21:53:37 GMT 10
good work!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2013 22:47:58 GMT 10
What are you re-lining it with please David .
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Post by ridgeydidge on May 3, 2013 8:15:32 GMT 10
Hi jg33 (or would it be too forward just to call you "j" ) I am using marine ply sheets bought from Bunnings. I am giving them 2 undercoats and at least 2 top coats, using oil based paint. I hope that helps. Cheers David
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2013 13:26:06 GMT 10
"J" is fine . l And just using a quad (?) to hide the join ?? Or is there a trade secret that will hide the join to make it look one piece all the length of the van ?? J
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Post by ridgeydidge on May 3, 2013 21:42:33 GMT 10
Yeah, I'll just cover the join. For part of its length it will be one edge of the window, but I don't have the choice to work with any larger sheets, so a join it will be.
Cheers D
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2013 21:53:55 GMT 10
Thanks D, we look forward to seeing it finished J
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Post by gilbert on Jun 1, 2013 22:42:58 GMT 10
what i have done on joins is glue and screw the joins with liquid nails and brass screws then run some filler over the join sand back and there is now way you could tell there was a join there and it never cracks at the join or moves in any way
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Post by ridgeydidge on Sept 6, 2013 14:13:16 GMT 10
She's been under a tarp for winter, and bits of the old door are dropping out from under cover - but the sun has started to return, so 'working on the old van' weather must be just around the corner. Or so i keep telling myself. Hibernation time is coming to an end!
Cheers David
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