Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Now another supplier.
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This material is different again from the previous post. A considerably thinner material by comparison. Fine weave again. Not 100% cotton. Nice and strong is the theme with the modern materials, and this is no different. I did get the impression this one could tear, and I didn't test that to destruction. I only have these three narrow pieces, and did not want to destroy one.
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This stuff is possibly woven even finer than the ones examined earlier. I don't know where this material would be best used, if at all. Yes it's colorfast. Yes it's completely waterproof. It's also OK colors. My hesitation is the thin gauge, mixed with the fine weave, makes this feel kind of like paper. Even multiple thicknesses, like would be needed to make side curtains, may look too thin. Although very thin, it is not as flexible as I would want, and I don't know where this material would be used on restorations. In all honesty, I wouldn't use this type.
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Here is a closer view comparison between new canvas and the much more coarse 100% cotton fabric coming out of India & Pakistan. If a gun was held to my head, and I was forced to use modern fabric, I would prefer the canvas of second last photo (showing just khaki and black) from previous post. You can see from the photo above, that there is a huge difference between coarse cheap cotton tarp material and the modern, too fine looking varieties. I'm in no doubt modern fabric is MUCH better wearing, weatherproof, and colorfast, but I believe the desire for wider range of uses has forsaken it's widespread use in military restorations.

For my needs, the coarser, (and potentially trouble prone) cotton canvas from India just looks so much better insitu. Provided you are aware of it's limitations, you can work around most areas of possible future issue. For example, yes it's gonna fade if left outdoors forever. So don't store the vehicle exposed to the element all the time, without some additional form of protection......... like a poly/plastic tarp over the areas of concern. Better still, give the poor old thing a sheltered home. Also, the cheap canvas is much more likely to fray around the edges, and avoiding this is simple. Make sure all edges are hemmed well, and take care with handling the product until this is done. I'm quite sure the original canvas of 70+ years ago wasn't given the same care and attention we provide now, so ours will have greater longevity, I hope!

While I am appreciative of receiving the canvas samples for inspection, their use in my applications is limited. I would happily use it on a number of areas on my grey truck, but I can't see it getting much of a look with the restoration vehicle. It doesn't give me the right visual appearance, I'm afraid. I know there are countless other manufacturers and types of canvas products which I haven't had opportunity to inspect, and I expect those too would be aimed at a market that clashes with the look and feel we are wanting. As long as the factories in second (or third) world countries are pumping out the coarse 100% cotton material, that will most likely be my choice. My truck will always be garaged and protected from the elements, so that makes a range of complications with cheap canvas nul and void. The propensity of cheap canvas to stretch, or indeed tighten under certain circumstances, can be made to work in my favour, provided I am aware of this and make allowances at time of fabrication and practical use.