The Rot Doctor


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Subject: Use of your Resins in antique car repair
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999

Sir:

I am restoring a 1936 Bentley with an Aluminum over ash body. Most of the wood is in good shape, but there are a few areas where there is some light rot. Some of these areas, especially where hinges or structural members attach, I am repairing with new wood or with dutched-in repairs.

Other areas, however, look like they would be ideally suited for epoxy stabilization. I have seen on one of the TV home shows a product that looks like the one you have on your Web site. Very thin (low viscosity) liquid epoxy that can be brushed on and will soak into the wood and harden. I definitely do NOT want any product like a putty or plastic wood that replaces lost wood. Lost wood will be replaced with wood grafted, dutched, epoxied and screwed in.

CPES (Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer) when mixed has the viscosity of diesel fuel. Very thin, very penetrating. If further build-up of the area is required, we recommend either our Layup & Laminating Resin or our Epoxy Filler, depending on the application.

I am interested on whether you have had anyone use your product in this application and whether I can either order or get the name of a local dealer (Central Mass near Worcester) where I can pick some up.

We have sold product to car enthusiasts for frame treatment, especially the Morgan owners, and people restoring old MG's. They have reported good results.

We sell direct to the customer only. We ship every day and MA is six days from us via UPS.

Also, once treated, how will the wood do in holding body nails (small nails to hold sheet aluminum stretched over the Ash frame.)

This is going to depend on the condition of the wood being treated. If the deterioration is light to moderate, then yes, it will hold nails/screws easily. If it's very bad then an application of the L&L Resin will be required to give body.

Also, after treating, the wood will be brush painted in oil-based enamel (non-automotive) mainly for cleanliness prior to trimming but also for originality and minor protection. Any problems with adhesion?

CPES improves the adhesion of all paints and varnished. It serves as a base coat and no additional primer is required. After curing, CPES can be sanded lightly for smoothness.

Thanks and cheers,

R.P.R.

We would suggest that all new wood going in be treated with CPES. It forms a protective coating and greatly discourages rot fungi/bacterial contamination of the wood.

Come back if you have additional questions. We ship daily and you can order by phone, on-line order form or fax. Major credit cards cheerfully accepted.

Doc

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