Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

Private_collector · #1 23-09-16, 20:46

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.

Private_collector · #2 25-09-16, 09:49

Had a play around with my canvas tarp, draping it unceremoniously over the sunshine cab roof.
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These 2 photos are taken from front driver side corner. The 'tuck' under at front, is how the canvas will sit over the metal piece that runs across and tightens into place with two brass wingnuts. I hadn't realised there was a very obvious seam down the middle. I don't fancy that at all. Apart from the seams having highly visible thread, it looks ugly to have a line right at the highest point, where the steel tube will hold it in prominence. Grrrrr.
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The metal parts that form part of the rear cab window are now primed and ready to be incorporated into that project, which is the next thing i will tackle. I'm working my way up to the cab roof cover!
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Mike K · #3 25-09-16, 10:48

If you feel that the Indian canvas is not strong enough . Maybe consider two layers of it sewn together ? Nobody will notice any difference and it will have a heavy thick original appearance

Private_collector · #4 25-09-16, 13:05

I think it will be OK if I use strong thread (which I already have) on all stitching, and double seams all round. If I make allowances correctly, the slight stretch will work in my favor, because the raised up tube in the middle means without stretch it won't sit right at the rear. The tricky bit will be getting the stretch tension just right. If I am out by a little, that can be corrected, I think, buy the tension on the lacing through eyelets down at the back.

I'm happy with the cheap canvas. It looks right, when viewed in person, but when looking at the photos I took today, it looks all sort of wooly and overly fuzzy. In reality that's not the case. I also see the photos have highlighted very minor defects in manufacturing where a lump may appear in the weave. To be honest, I don't think the original canvas would be any better quality, so it's probably fairly representative of how it once looked, all those decades ago. Looking at examples in museum photos, theirs are rather poorly fabricated and sewn. If I get it taut and fitting well all round, I'll be alright with the result.

Incidentally, I made a remark some days ago, about having leftover material to use for my 25pdr spares roll. Noooooooo, there won't be enough for that or anything else larger than a gear boot cover perhaps.

Mike K · #5 25-09-16, 13:42

You know this already. Before you do any sewing , throw the canvas over the washing line outside, give it a good soaking and let the sun dry it , it will shrink about 1" - 2" all round .

Private_collector · #6 25-09-16, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

You know this already. Before you do any sewing , throw the canvas over the washing line outside, give it a good soaking and let the sun dry it , it will shrink about 1" - 2" all round .

Thanks Mike! I didn't know that. A very important piece of info to know.
If weather is fine next weekend, I'll give it a good hosing!
Might go back and visit the disposals store again this week, and see if the bigger tarps by same manufactrer may have wider single panels, so I can avoid the join down middle of the roof.

Private_collector · #7 09-10-16, 11:13

I'm about half way through the canvas curtain for rear window of my green truck.
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Main part is finished, and the roll-up tabs on back are attached. The steel bar fits the bottom pocket OK. What isn't OK is my sewing. I sew like I weld. Terribly. Took second attempts on two stitch runs, both of which had to be unpicked stitch by stitch. It's a good incentive to get it right first time from then on!
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Speaking of dodgy. Look at how straight the top steel piece isn't! It is original, and the joining of two short pieces is obvious. They had to elongate some holes to make it fit the piece behind it. Classic WW2 bodge, to 'keep em rolling'. The two tabs seen above photo are not attached yet. The canvas I used was very coarse and looks right. It did stretch in certain ways, and once that was anticipated I had a better time of working with it. Freys very easily though, so I was grateful that the plans for this piece (supplied by a good friend and fellow MLU chap) called for mostly double layer seams, one way or another.
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The metal plates that sandwich the diagonal canvas tabs are painted and drying. I may place them next weekend, but will also be attending some duties in readiness for travelling to Bandiana early the following week.

Incidentally, I do believe I may have wasted my money on an industrial sewing machine, because this entire job was done on my Wifes standard duty Janome tabletop machine. There were seven layers of canvas in places, and her machine just chugged away without missing a beat. Can't imagine ever needing to sew eight or more layers in one place, so the Janome might get the job of stitching the sunshine roof cover in a few weeks time!