Speedster cap repair

[Lark Parker]

I took a few pictures for those that are in need of some pictures to look at. I think Webshots is a clumsy to get around in. Try the slide show feature.

Go here.

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/561613885pTtxxo

If at first you don't succeed -- you will get a lot of advice. Lark Parker

[Roscomacaw]

Fabulous Cary! Now, can I send you my Cruiser rocker mouldings for repair???[:I]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[Lark Parker]

As Hazel used to say, "Hello Mr. B"!

I'm almost fully retired from the stainless resto business until my hands and back get younger. For a while I was diagnosed with glaucoma and that had an effect on my chosen priorities. [8D] Seems like the doctor was wrong, my eyes are OK. They are, however, a unique shade of hazel that allows me to hypnotize women and most poisonous reptiles within seconds.

I still do a few stainless pieces for some of the super models and a few of the overpaid Hollywood celebrities.[:X] I keep the workload VERY light as I would get swamped and people don't like to wait.

I was thinking of doing a series on this SDC forum of how-to's on the subject of stainless restoration. So, the Speedster cap description was put out just to see if there was any interest. It didn't contain earthshaking ideas so that may have been part of the non-response.

The only comment that came back is from a guy that wants ME to do HIS rocker panel strips.<g>

Perhaps the hubcap info was not a good thing to start with as it may have appeared to have too narrow an application.
Some of the prewar caps used a similar construction, but there are now some excellent repro caps available for a few model years.

I may try another, less specific item.









If at first you don't succeed -- you will get a lot of advice. Lark Parker

[mbstude]

quote:I was thinking of doing a series on this SDC forum of how-to's on the subject of stainless restoration.

YES! Please do!! [^]

Matthew Burnette
'59 Scotsman
'63 Daytona
Hazlehurst, GA

[showbizkid]

What a cool tutorial! Thanks very much for this. Your illustrations and descriptions are excellent!


[img=left]http://members.cox.net/clarknovak/lark.gif[/img=left]

Clark in San Diego
'63 F2/Lark Standard

http://studeblogger.blogspot.com

https://www.studebakersandiego.com

[Allan Songer]

quote:Originally posted by Lark Parker


I still do a few stainless pieces for some of the super models and a few of the overpaid Hollywood celebrities.[:X] I keep the workload VERY light as I would get swamped and people don't like to wait.

I was thinking of doing a series on this SDC forum of how-to's on the subject of stainless restoration. So, the Speedster cap description was put out just to see if there was any interest. It didn't contain earthshaking ideas so that may have been part of the non-response.

The only comment that came back is from a guy that wants ME to do HIS rocker panel strips.<g>

Perhaps the hubcap info was not a good thing to start with as it may have appeared to have too narrow an application.
Some of the prewar caps used a similar construction, but there are now some excellent repro caps available for a few model years.

I may try another, less specific item.

I would LOVE to see a blow-by-blow showing the restorationg of fender and door trim moulding. I tried to do this once and ended up with nothing but a shiny, wavy mess.

Keep ANY and ALL information coming!!!

[Dick Steinkamp]

Excellent documentation. I'd be interested in the rest of the process...not because I have enough skill to actually do it, but I'd like to see how it's done. How the heck do you get those little dings out? What is the sequence to polish it after it is straight?

Thanks! [^]

[Lark Parker]

Thank you for the comments. Matthew doesn't surprise me as I figure he would read anything that had "Studebaker" in it. We need more guys like him.

Since Ed Reynolds took me up on the offer, an International Meet seminar/demonstration on stainless restoration has not materialized at Omaha, South Bend or Lancaster. ( Not Ed's fault.) Cedar Rapids for 2009 may be a possibility, or maybe not.
I thought the subject would be at least as interesting as a "how to wax a car" seminar.

Some of the problems with doing a seminar is determining the amount of material that can be covered and the problem of trying to show small scale work to a group of people that aren't close up.
I am also too lazy to do a computer slide presentation as I would have to learn how to do that. It's challenge enough taking pictures left handed of yourself working right handed.

For the SDC forum here, I will start with the dent removal since that was mentioned. Much of it will be: what not to do --- as much as what one should do.
Also, a person could make a car look better with trim dent removal even if he never did the polishing and buffing part.

Don't ask me about aluminum --- I don't like aluminum, so I don't do aluminum.


If at first you don't succeed -- you will get a lot of advice. Lark Parker

[rockne10]

In the past month I must have spent 40 hours working on the stainless for my '53. I've never done it before so it was a learn as you go attempt. I don't know how the professionals do it but imagine they have special tools.

I laid the outer surface on a block of wood and lightly tapped the reverse side using a small tack hammer and anything I could find that suited the nature of the curve. By pressing it just a hair beyond its original surface, I was able to block sand down to contour with 180 grit. Then I sanded with 320, then 600, then 1000, then 1500, then 2000 and finally went to the rouge on the buffing wheel. I can't say that it's perfect but I'm very pleased with the results.

If you press it beyond original more than the thickness of the stainless, you'll end up with a hole where you wanted surface.

Here are six of the eighteen pieces I did

Here are more progress photos

http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g233/rockne10/1953/