We've come a long, long way together

A lot has happened in the past month ...

Bare metalled the shell
Bilt Hamber Deox gel rust treatment
Bilt Hamber Electrox zinc primer
2-pack primed and guide coated
Almost ready for its 2-pack Polar White
And then the lower colour
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Commer guide 01.jpg
 
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Any thoughts on what these 5 holes are for ?
On the pillar behind the passenger door (between side door) - not seat belt mounts.

Commer guide 02.jpg
 
Also, slowly getting my head around the Wanderer roof restoration - little by little so that I keep all the reference points.
It seems first on my shopping list is some 9mm marine ply to replace the small end panels, the aluminium plate looks like it will serve as a template for the crumbling ply.

Does anybody have experience of Smiths 'Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer' for sealing hardwood ply board, particularly on the porous edges ?
Expensive stuff but if it's as good as it appears then priceless if it slows down future roof deterioration.

WandererRoof01.jpg
 
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Holes for an interior light maybe? And the ones on the rear valance could have been for an aftermarker reversing light bracket
 
Yep, Deox came highly recommended and I've used other Bilt Hamber products and been very impressed. The gel amazed my bodywork guy on how it's used and the finished result.
 
Panky said:
Holes for an interior light maybe? And the ones on the rear valance could have been for an aftermarker reversing light bracket
Click to expand...

Aha, cheers Panky - aftermarket provided a clue, I now recall that I once had an electric hookup, which would explain 2 small fixing and larger cable hole !

Still scratching my head on the other one though. Lower down there was a large crude jagged hole (which has been patched) where the fridge flue vent to the outside but those 5 holes are so cleanly cut they look original.
 
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Out of interest, Paul, why are you actually ditching the unique roof you already have (had) on your van. Surely, it was the only remaining Hi-Tor with the "perplexing" perplex roof lights in the rear. I would have thought that keeping this would have been the thing. Was it the overall height that got to you in the end?
 
Hi Jostein,
That's a very valid question and, respecting its uniqueness, believe me it certainly wasn't an easy decision ...
However several factors and coincidences played their part ...
The original TorCars interior had long since disappeared before I bought the van, having apparently been run as builder's van for a number of years. Its previous owner, fitted a part interior sourced from an Autosleeper plus some home-made additions.
My plans were always to keep the HiTor roof, as it was very practical with the permanent extra cupboard space plus the front roof well too - although IMO less attractive than a pop-up, it looks OK from the front and side but the rear view is 'quirky' to say the least !
My original roof always had a smashed perspex light repaired badly with fibreglass and was lucky to find up a fully intact HiTor roof on a badly disintegrating HiTor up near Mansfield. However, during my unfortunate prolonged restoration that reclaimed roof also took a bit of a battering and now sports a smashed perspex light (amongst other damage) - I was actively seeking getting quotes for replacement perspex ...
Then along came my all time favorite Commer roof at exactly the right time during my reinvigorated restoration, plus various other essential parts I was now missing - so I did the deal on the lot. Yes, that Wanderer roof needs work too but as it's woodwork I can handle that myself (hopefully !) and there's the no mean feat of re-engineering a retro fit.
Other factors that helped me decide, were that the original Commer 1725 is also long gone and a rebuilt Holbay 1725 and OD close ratio gearbox sit in my garage awaiting their shiny new home. Also, I'm changing to an engine management system and Davies Craig cooling setup. Plus, I've some Jensen Interceptor alloys in my loft which will replace the original steel wheels. So, ultimately most of the TorCars originality has already taken a hit over time. But I will end up with exactly the Commer that's right for me - I've even decided against my long beloved 'April Yellow' / 'Polar White' colour scheme !
Cheers
Paul

ps. The HiTor roof is currently sitting rather forelorn in my garden but once I've successfully converted to the Wanderer then it can be available to anybody who may want to take it on.
 
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Sound thinking as your van is the bankest blank canvass there ever could be at the moment. Hopefully someone will make use of the roof too.
 
Thanks for your clarification, Paul. I do understand your decision with that background. Still, would be interesting to see if someone would use the high top on a van. It's the weirdest and coolest hard top around in my view. And what regards the rear end, its just another member of the clan :D with Chris' Colonel leading the pack, with our Highwayman trailing not very fa behind! Hahaha! :D :D :D
 
Doing a fantastic job of it. Well done! Originality is great but practicality prevails and it’s not like it’s a Silver Ghost etc (colour’s close though lol)
 
On the epoxy wood treatment front.... Use marine varnish thinned down with q part varnish and 3 parts thinners. Apply multiple coats, sanding in between, then thicken to 50/50 and a couple more... It's a tip I learned from a boat builder.
 
Nice to find another fan of the Wanderer roof, I thought I was alone and I know they can be troublesome. I will interested to see the final result. Are you local? I'm in Bury St Edmunds.
 
Hi RenaultVation,
Good to hear from you, I'm based in Norwich, NR6 and currently working in Ipswich, IP1 - almost on your doorstep !
Or about 24 hours away in a Commer ;)
Would be interested in hearing more about your troublesome Wanderer roof at some point ...
 
Thanks PaulJL, sounds like a similar principle to get the media soaked into the wood. Boat builders are our friends for this - that's the route my CPES recommendation came from.
 
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