Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Bought a 100% cotton canvas tarp this afternoon.
20160920_191620-resized-1280.jpg
Popped into the local disposals store after work, just to look around, and found they have a range of quite suitable, Indian made canvas tarps. Colorfastness (is that a word?) is an unknown yet, but this is as good a starting point, as any, for the roof cover of my Sunshine Cab. Don't think dyeing would work if the damn thing fades too much. The tarp has had a wax treatment during manufacture. The presently primed roof is begging me to paint it, so I've really got to do the canvas bit before I get the paint on, and DEFINITELY before I get the impulse to install the roof onto the rest or the cab itself. Once on, it would be VERY difficult to manufacture the canvas cover. I'm not tall enough to reach that height, and there is no room for scaffolding im my workshop.

Elvis put it best; It's Now Or Never!

[Mike K]

Looks good Tony !

I noticed that ALDI currently has canvas drop sheets 3.6 X 1.5 size for 10 bucks , these are plain undyed cotton . These would possibly be strong enough for seat covers if you layered the stuff, eg 2 or 3 layers . You would need to dye them. I use RIT dyes , they work quite well on cotton . Dying yourself means you can choose your own preferred colour !

[jack neville]

I have a couple of those cheap Pakistan tarps and whilst the are nice and heavy, the color did fade quite quickly and the stitching and brass eyelets are pretty ordinary. But they were cheap and useful.

I bought a set of Worthing canvas for a Diamond T project and in the deal added enough of the same good quality 18oz US canvas to do a few other projects. It was £20 per metre (If I remember correctly) but you can't get that good stuff readily in Australia unless you find some old heavy tarps.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Guys

Another problem that I have run into is buying new canvas tarps is that some that I bought actually mildewed in the plastic bag sitting on the shelf. I'd bought them to make covers for equipment and before that could be done the tarps had mildewed and developed natural black on tan camouflage patterns.

Now this may just have been a batch of traps that had been sealed in the bags wet or gotten wet in handling. Response I got from the local Tractor Supply was it seems that for environmental reasons they no longer can use the same stuff used on Military canvas in the 40s and 50s. They did replace the tarps and didn't even want the old ones back.

Cheers Phil

[Private_collector]

Wow. There's some very interesting and useful information in last few postings.
Sure sounds like every silver lining has a cloud. In comparing the modern er...quality tarps against the widely acknowledged cheap, Indian made products, I wager there is justification for deciding one over the other, regardless which option you go for, depending on your individual needs and circumstances.

Let's compare:

Indian/Cheap tarps
Good weight
100% Cotton
Weave looks right
Much cheaper
Tend to fade dramatically
Stretches
Prone to ripping where sewn
Original stitching can rot
Not as hard wearing
Questionable waterproofing long-term

Modern/High quality tarps
Superior weatherproofing
Superior materials used
Less prone to ripping
Doesn't fade (much, if any)
Little stretching
Won't rot
Often a blend of cotton & Poly
Rip-stop has noticable chequered pattern
Weave too fine, doesn't look right
Considerably more expensive

Anything canvas I put onto the grey truck, needs to be able to withstand the elements, because that vehicle lives outside. The restoration truck, on the other hand, will enjoy a life of being returned to full weatherproof, sun proof shelter inside my workshop. What I'm about to say next, will sound a bit 'bass ackwards'.

I think I will go with cheap canvas for the restoration truck, and the better canvas for the grey/unsheltered vehicle. I really want the right look for the resto truck, and fading, diminishing weathproofing, and stretching are not things that will be of significant concern under the above circumstances. In fact, the stretching in particular is something I feel may be of good use. Especially so with the sunshine roof cover, provided the stretch is finite! I may even look into having a second pair of side curtains made, so all the canvas matches.

The currently grey truck will require much better canvas, to survive all day out in the sun. I should add that I will also purchase a good big plastic tarp to throw over the whole thing, when not intending to drive it for extended periods (? Greater than few days). I had a missed call from a canvas company in Victoria yesterday, and assume they are responding to my enquiry about supply and cost of the modern, high quality canvas. We are attending a funeral today, but I will return the call this afternoon, if an appropriate time arises.

So, in summary, I expect best course of action is; Best canvas I can find for the daily driver out in the open, and the cheap Indian canvas for the permanently sheltered restoration vehicle. The cab roof is where I will start working with larger size applications, and we'll see how I fare. Plans may need to be revised, depending on how successful I am with the sewing. If I bollocks it up, I will stop and turn the job over to my auto upholstery guys. I hope that isn't required. Am actually looking forward to making the roof cover. Always satisfying to know you made something that (I hope) looks good. I'll make a start on Sunday.

[David Dunlop]

Hello Tony.

I found Phil's experience interesting. It had not occurred to me that anti fungal and anti mildue products may no longer be used on canvas, and it would not surprise me at all if there has also been a big shift away from the wax and oil based waterproofing compounds of the war years to more modern silicone based agents, which are very effective.

Not sure how much humidity you get down your way, or for how long it hangs around, but I have seen mold and mildue set up very quickly on fabrics stored inside in these parts, when the heat and humidity combination gets just right.

The Canadian Tire Company out this way carried a canvas waterproofing product for tents in their camping supplies that was silicone based and anti mildue. It was available in colours at one time but I think it is now neutral. Comes in one litre and four litre cans and can either be brushed or sprayed on. I used it to revive an original M38 CDN canvas top once and it worked a treat! It did darken the canvas down a bit when finished but that was actually an improvement in this case as the colour had faded quite badly over the years and it looked a bit closer to original when finished.

It might be worth your while to see what is available locally and test our a small tin if you can. I'd hate to see a batch of warm fuzzies set up home on all your hard work!


David

[Private_collector]

I think I will look into doing that, David. It's a lot of potential benefit for not a lot of money.
Humidity here can get VERY bad during summer. I hate it. Really wears me out and can make working outside quite uncomfortable.

I'll start checking available types, this evening.

Thanks for your thoughts, David!