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Post by seeshell on Mar 25, 2014 8:45:27 GMT 10
Hi Akeepsake - The Jennisons were admired, and copied by home builders if our van is anything to go by - both the livery, split windows and very large hatch are incredibly similar! You're doing a lovely job on the van - I look forward to seeing the latest installment in the serial! Shh! It's time for my "story" - Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 22, 2014 7:23:09 GMT 10
Hi Akeepsake -
I like the fibreglass repair - very tidy, and restores the original look. Who could argue with that?
Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 15, 2014 6:34:44 GMT 10
Hi Humpyboy
Come and get it! We're going out this afternoon, so morning would be super, or I'll leave it in the breezeway.
Cheers Carley
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Post by seeshell on Mar 15, 2014 6:30:48 GMT 10
Hi Brenten
If you're stuck and can't find one, and you only need the shade, couldn't you get some frosted acrylic bent up in the same shape?
Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 14, 2014 20:40:34 GMT 10
Hi All
We still have the picnic table and the stainless fabricated eyebrows to go if someone wants them.
Also can those people who indicated they wanted stuff (which hasn't made its way to FF for transport) make arrangements with me for pickup? Need the shed to be cleared out!
Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 7, 2014 18:55:24 GMT 10
Hi Geoff Good god - I must have been drunk when I posted. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 7, 2014 17:48:35 GMT 10
Hi Leigh Thanks for that, I got home and couldn't remember all the details for listing! I've now corrected the post. If the number of people peering through it were any indication, the Sportsman would be an excellent choice. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 7, 2014 8:46:19 GMT 10
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Post by seeshell on Mar 4, 2014 18:31:29 GMT 10
Hi KFisher A wonderful travelogue - some very pretty windswept scenery. And birds everywhere - I'm sure your wife was nervously eyeing them off, like Tippi Hedron! Looks to be an enjoyable weekend: Mum, Dad, Monopoly, making dinner, drunken Tigers...oh that old chestnut... Cute! Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 4, 2014 15:16:26 GMT 10
Hi Gabby and Helen Since you know you need about 15 - 20 meters of the stuff to replace the headliner - and it's rare as - I suggest you talk to someone who is a quilter. Frequently, people who quilt make whatever they want (like my Mum does), and they take it to industrial sewers who then sew on the diamond or crazy swirl pattern to "quilt" it. There's no reason they couldn't do this as well for you on some light fabric or vinyl. Probably to get the right look to the quilting you'd need to have the diamond pattern sewn on with thin foam or Dacron backing to give it the right lift. I imagine a motor trimmer would be equally capable, but might be less keen - but old ladies love this stuff. Perhaps you could get the fabric made up, then take it to the motor trimmer to fit it if you don't feel confident - though the other thread seems to indicate patience and perseverance is the key. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 2, 2014 21:18:59 GMT 10
Hi All We're off for the month of March to paint the house (boo! hiss! ), but are planning a few van-related activities to break up the monotony of sanding, scraping, power washing and applying acrylic. A day at the RacesWe're going to do a day at Caulfield for the Caravan and Camping show here in Victoria in a week or so. I'd like to get the car and van out together - unfortunately, the other week Aaron got out of the car, shut the door per normal, and the whole rear tailgate glass went to pieces. If we have time to replace with the other piece of rear glass we have, Chryssi can go along too - not towing, but to be parked with the van. The first time the van was used in two years was Xmas when we took her out for the first sortie to Portarlington. I was cleaning and packing the van at 10am the day we were due to check in (at 11am!) - so not too much in the way of extras. I still need to raid the cupboards and the shed for vintage stuff to set the scene for the day at the Races. A Blue Flyer WeddingWe were contacted by a lovely young couple who saw the Flyer here on the forum and wanted to involve her in their special day. Well, of course, when asked if she wanted to be in the wedding, the Blue Flyer said, "I do!" So in April, they will be married beachside, and the Flyer, a whole lot of vintage bits and bobs (see "scene setting" above), and the car will provide some "colour". So, watch out Cobber! We're horning in on your space. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 2, 2014 20:53:03 GMT 10
Hi SGTL Well it's a lot less fun now. *grin* Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 2, 2014 20:34:26 GMT 10
Hi Shane
Have PM'd you.
Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 2, 2014 16:24:39 GMT 10
Hi HD Well how's that Kiwi get-it-done! Amazing progress - and I'd have to agree with Al, eggcups. Nifty about the roof - the names, and that tying back to the road guide. Have you thought of doing a bit of investigation on Ancestry.com or an old census (since you have an address)? That's in part how I came across the family of Mr Conrick who built our van - there might even be some oldies around who remember it in use, and maybe family photos as well. It's so nice knowing the history if you can trace it. One thing that would be interesting to know is 1952 the build date, or the "reroofing" date - it's pattern and shape looks much earlier. But maybe they're slow changing fashions in NZ. Given the look of your van - have you thought of attending the Art Deco weekend in Napier? She'd be all the go there I reckon, when she's fixed up. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 2, 2014 16:08:59 GMT 10
[EDITED] A few more pieces - same rules as above! Three 960mm stainless steel fabricated eyebrows Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 2, 2014 15:31:12 GMT 10
Hi All [EDITED] I've come across some pieces that might be of use to someone - and they are free to good homes. Honestly, my preference is NOT to mail them because I'll be really busy over the next month - pick up preferred, or have a local friend drop around (Pakenham Upper, VIC). Maybe someone could bring things to you at the Nationals? One (x1) green topped, white bodied suitcase picnic table Assorted pieces (other pieces in picture gone): Heavy brass hook One part of a sling bed fitting That's it! PM me please if you're wanting something - first in best dressed. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Feb 25, 2014 20:19:50 GMT 10
Hi Surf Tragic
That is a good find isn't it on the mechanicals? The only difference I think with that one is that the body of the handle is in two parts, but it's certainly nice looking kit.
Well there you go - some options, unless you want to buy and scrap that $100k Don for parts? *grin*
Cheers Carley
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Post by seeshell on Feb 25, 2014 9:10:50 GMT 10
Hi akeepsake I have a recollection that one of the Don Tragics had found these overseas in the UK, but do you think I can find the post on the forum? *sigh* Maybe someone else will be able to find it - I can't skive off work too long to hunt around! Anyway, this is a link for a very similar catch (looks a bit silly in the picture because the post is poking out beyond the handle), but it's the same. I understand that Davey make them the same as ever - chromed brass. Not cheap, but still, if you must have it, what price can you put on it? marinestore.co.uk/Davey_Push_Button_Chrome.htmlCheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Feb 20, 2014 16:47:56 GMT 10
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Post by seeshell on Feb 20, 2014 9:33:39 GMT 10
Hi Akeepsake Celastic doesn't really adhere to the surface. Celastic is plastic impregnated fabric which becomes moldable when activated by immersion in solvents such as Acetone and MEK (methyl ethyl ketone). When it is soft, it can be manipulated into nearly any shape. It can be cut it into strips or small pieces, and adheres to itself. When it dries, it becomes hard again, thus retaining whatever shape it was manipulated into. If necessary, it can be resoftened and further manipulated. It can also be sanded. Celastic was first trademarked in 1926. It was being used by the theatrical industry as early as the 1930s, and saw its most widespread use in theatres of all sizes by the 1950s to make complex props – replacing paper mache as the primary technique. So, the home builder would have wet the material with Acetone or MEK, and laid it over the roof of the van. When it dried it would be a hard weatherproof plasticised coating that sat like a shell over top - probably made a great roof. Very different to canvas though, either painted on or stretched. Here is an example of what passed for safety knowledge back when the use of Celastic was prevalent: “Rubber gloves should be used to keep the Softener off the hands. The liquid is not injurious under normal working conditions. Common-sense precautions will make the medium acceptable for any school use.” (Here’s How by Herbert V. Hake, 1958) Of course, “not injurious” is not the same as “harmless”! Acetone and MEK are known to have neurotoxic effects when absorbed through the skin or breathed in as fumes. While you can still get Celastic, its use has dropped off because thermoplastics and other materials don’t require use of gloves and heavy duty respirators for everyone who might be in the work area. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Feb 17, 2014 11:24:56 GMT 10
Hi Helen
Retro Caravans do have a large supply, but not of the type of formica in that pattern. If you want a very specific pattern, and you don't need much, providing the picture you have as art to a group who can print formica might be the go. We got some done for our van out of the USA, but for smaller amounts there are local groups who can do that - and all they need is a picture, or artwork, to redo it. Look in the technical area under "sourcing vintage style formica".
Alternatively, go for something you can get that is sufficiently contrasting or colour matching, rather than a perfect match. How groovy would that be?!
Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Feb 17, 2014 6:45:21 GMT 10
Hi Don
Ah, I'm only funnin! I wear my geek badge with pride. Clearly the change to the forum means some of the 'smileys' don't work anymore - somehow it fell off my post leaving it sounding too serious! Ah well.
As for the two names, I wonder if in the shortness of the advertisement they overlooked or sacrificed a comma, a slash ("/") or an "and" for brevity - as you might do when ads cost by the line? A bit like the text speak of today? Gr8! Or it just got overlooked in typesetting which was done by hand of course.
I also meant to mention why there were very few pure white or bright colours until the 1950s. In part this was because pure white and brights of the time required chemicals that were in low supply during and post war. These included magnesium oxide, titanium oxide, and phosphorous used in munitions as igniters. In the liberation of Cherbourg, nearly 12,000 phosphorous bombs were used in a few days - so it's kind of easy to see how that ended up with local shortages!
Interesting how availability of things influenced fashion, hey?
Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Feb 16, 2014 20:05:32 GMT 10
Hi HD
What a clever little thing you are! What an ingenious approach, and I really do admire the can do attitude. I'm at a bit of loss for words, but what I can say is that Mabel is clearly in the best custodianship possible.
Slow golf claps... Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Feb 16, 2014 20:02:03 GMT 10
Hi Al Again I marvel at the detail - and all that Bote Cote sealant should mean she's well and truly water tight as your ice melts. No rotten floorboards underneath for you! As usual (which can really go unsaid!), a marvelous job! Cheers Seeshell Go the Cote!
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Post by seeshell on Feb 16, 2014 19:57:53 GMT 10
Hi Akeepsake and DonR I wonder if it's at all good to be known as the local chemistry geek? Hmm! Paint in the 1940sMost decoration pre- and post-WWII remained relatively consistent. Apart from there being materials shortages for some time and the need for industry to "switch over" from wartime production to commercial production, there is a known phenomenon in colour trends that is interesting but not surprising. People tend to be more conservative in times of trouble or austerity, and bit more freewheeling when things are going well. Just coming out of WWII, there was a period until the early 1950s where colours remained largely unchanged from the 1920-30s palettes. In fact, if you look at the lino in some of the vans, or kitchens of the period, the patterns are still the same from then with only slight changes to the colourways. Moderne Colour Trends (1920-1940s)In the 1940s, which is sometimes called the Moderne period (post-Deco, pre-Mid Century Modern), people favoured colonial blues, dark forest green, brick red and other neutral sand, brown, peach and cream shades. Mid Century Colour Trends (early 1950s - 1960s)From the early 1950s on, the colours brightened and became more exuberant as the overall optimism of the period influenced decoration, and industry was geared up again to meet those desires. Historically Accurate Paint CombinationsDon said I might be able to point you to some paint chips or a colour chart from the period - as it turns out they are VERY rare. And of course most of the paint suppliers of the period are well gone now, as is the ephemera like paint chips and colour charts. However there has been some excellent research done on old unmolested houses of the period by historical societies, and California Paints has taken all that and turned it into a validated palette of each period (shown above). If you're interested in a further peek, you can find the link here: California Paints 20th Century Colours linkOne other good source of colour trends of the period are the much more available "style books" which were catalogs showing different home decorating ideas, mainly developed by paint or flooring companies. I've included a page from a paint company style book from the 1940s that I think is pretty relevant to you. In the period, colour trends made their way out to Australia from the US (the UK was much slower, as it was still on rationing and austerity into the early 1950s) with a short delay. Therefore, in 1949, it's quite likely that your van was using a Moderne palette - much like the one in this late 1940s kitchen. This was from a paint supplier - and showed schemes that were on the cutting edge of the modern home. You will note this page mentions cream and buff, and this combination was VERY popular (unlike now, where people tend to favour higher contrast paint schemes). Though I hate to do it, I will depart from Don's view it was a single colour. I suggest that your van was painted in two colours, along these lines - and they made mention of it in the advertisement because it was so "in vogue". Hope that helps. Cheers, Seeshell
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