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I 've got an antique fire truck to do some gold leaf work on. This is a private collector and he wants it done exactly as it was in the late forties. He says the gold leaf and the outlines and shadows all were cleared over. I used Dulux many years ago but it's no longer available. I do not want to use a urethane, it wouldn't float with this guy, plus I don't want the risk of burning the O.S. What is an exceptable substitute for the Dulux?
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
In the forties the enamels they used on firetrucks and such were pretty slow drying. Most gold jobs were cleared with spar varnish, but as we all know, that will yellow with age and crack after a long period of time.
What did the guy use for paint...is he trying to stay original there too? If it's some kind of enamel without hardner be careful... it may have a tack to it.
I'd use a spirits based polyurethane on it, unless he used urethane on the red.In that case I'd use Imron clear straight out of the can with NO thinner.
Fire trucks really don't usually get much wear...usually they are inside somewhere most of the time, and they get pampered alot. So the urethane should do fine...its clear and it's hard, so that should do it. Oh, you're brushing it on about an eigth or less over, right?
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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Back in the 40's and 50's, we used McClusky's Man'o War Spar Varnish. It would outlast the life of the truck. If you could find a store in a ghost town you might get lucky. If this is a great collector's item, Sikkens automotive epoxy clear should work. It is water-clear, no yellowing and works fine with the brush. The company is now owned by Axco, I believe.
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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