The Ford Barn

fudggj · 08-07-2011, 07:36 AM

I have a 1928 Ford Phaeton. The top bows have rubbed and scratced the paint on the body when the top is down. What can be done to fix and prevent this before I repaint? Thanks for any help.

Bob-A · 08-07-2011, 08:22 AM

My '29 phaeton that I use to own would do the same thing when I was careless about raising or lowering the top.

I also beleived that the whole top iron assembly was "out of whack" and needed adjustment, straightening, etc. Once the top was safely in the saddles and snugged down with the leather straps all was good.

Working on the top was beyond my abilities so I just lived with it.

I'm sure there are some people on this board who could help you though. You do have the proper saddles and everything that comes with them??

Bob-A

fudggj · 08-07-2011, 10:45 AM

Thanks for the reply Bob. My Phaeton has the saddles with leather liner and I believe everything else that is correct. When I raise and lower the top I get inside and in the middle to raise and lower it evenly. Even with two people lowering I still have the problem of the bows rubbing the body. I seems that the bows might need to be adjusted outward if possible or maybe sprung outward. There is a wingnut on each side that has really done its share of the damage. I believe my top bows are original ones and my car has not been pieced together. Also, my top bow assembly does not appear to have a lot of wear and slop int the joints. Any ideas as to how the top bow assembly is adjusted outward to give more clearance between the top bows and body?

PetesPonies · 08-07-2011, 02:06 PM

A picture of the scratches would help. What type of paint is it?? Lacquer? enamel? etc. This makes a difference.

fudggj · 08-08-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PetesPonies

A picture of the scratches would help. What type of paint is it?? Lacquer? enamel? etc. This makes a difference.

I will get some pics this eve and try to post tomorrow.

fudggj · 08-09-2011, 12:38 PM

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Attached are pics of the scratches. I believe the paint is enamel.

FL&WVMIKE · 08-09-2011, 03:45 PM

Are the wing-nuts proper ? I believe that I would use a regular nut, even though it meant that I would have to use a wrench.
MIKE

PetesPonies · 08-09-2011, 04:07 PM

About the best you can do here is just touch it up with some extra paint. You have any? You use a small paint brush or even the end of a cardboard match, where it is torn off the pack. If it was a different type of paint, you could work with it after it dries, but with enamel I wouldn't suggest that.

fudggj · 08-09-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL&WVMIKE

Are the wing-nuts proper ? I believe that I would use a regular nut, even though it meant that I would have to use a wrench.
MIKE

Mike, I believe the wing nuts are original but I will probably try replacing them with regular nuts that are shorter. I don't see the need for wing nuts there but someone out there might know why they were used instead of regular nuts. Perhaps they were used for some kind of adjustment? Thanks to everyone for all replies.

Tom Wesenberg · 08-10-2011, 12:14 AM

Wing nuts aren't on my unrestored 28 Phaeton. I'll get a picture tomorrow.

allen · 08-10-2011, 01:54 AM

What about using a locking nut this would allow you to adjust and then not have to loosen it every time, as for as the paint good news it looks to be just the black, water sand the paint with 400 and then 600 get pin striping tape, tape under the black, paper off the car I would then shot the trim with a touch up gun, Norton makes a plastic wrap that catches the over spay very good stuff if you need the number let me know AL

SSsssteamer · 08-10-2011, 09:45 AM

My 1930 phaeton has had the same problem. I found that when putting the top down, if I am careless and I don't get all of the top irons into the top saddles, I would be in for the scratching of the paint. I have sanded and repainted my scratches too. I adjusted the top saddles to catch the top irons and I still have to watch it closely when I lower the top. The wing nuts are not a problem on my 1930 phaeton as they settle down just above the paint. I have Mac's reproduction top irons and bows. I had to adjust the top irons a little so that my 6'3" head would clear the top. Maybe that is what keeps the wing nuts up off of the paint.

fudggj · 08-14-2011, 09:44 PM

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Dick Carne · 08-15-2011, 10:59 AM

This must be a fairly common problem among all of the standard touring cars. On my '29, I'm always careful to ask a trusted assistant to help lower the top. I've also been using black electrical tie straps (I've gotten these in the past at a Home Depot or Lowe's in the electrical section) to help the leather straps hold the irons away from the body and to assist in holding the irons securely away from the body. Once these have been tightened, I cut the excess end of the strap off. It seems that at least on my car, and before I started using these tie straps, there was an equal opportunity to scratch the body even after the top was down. Using these electrical ties has at least saved that issue.

08-07-2011, 08:22 AM	#2
Bob-A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central FL, USA Posts: 1,137	Re: Scratched Paint My '29 phaeton that I use to own would do the same thing when I was careless about raising or lowering the top. I also beleived that the whole top iron assembly was "out of whack" and needed adjustment, straightening, etc. Once the top was safely in the saddles and snugged down with the leather straps all was good. Working on the top was beyond my abilities so I just lived with it. I'm sure there are some people on this board who could help you though. You do have the proper saddles and everything that comes with them?? Bob-A

08-07-2011, 10:45 AM	#3
fudggj Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Ohio Posts: 16	Re: Scratched Paint Thanks for the reply Bob. My Phaeton has the saddles with leather liner and I believe everything else that is correct. When I raise and lower the top I get inside and in the middle to raise and lower it evenly. Even with two people lowering I still have the problem of the bows rubbing the body. I seems that the bows might need to be adjusted outward if possible or maybe sprung outward. There is a wingnut on each side that has really done its share of the damage. I believe my top bows are original ones and my car has not been pieced together. Also, my top bow assembly does not appear to have a lot of wear and slop int the joints. Any ideas as to how the top bow assembly is adjusted outward to give more clearance between the top bows and body?

08-07-2011, 02:06 PM	#4
PetesPonies Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 316	Re: Scratched Paint A picture of the scratches would help. What type of paint is it?? Lacquer? enamel? etc. This makes a difference. __________________ Pete's Ponies Mustang RUSToration & Performance

08-09-2011, 03:45 PM	#7
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: Scratched Paint Are the wing-nuts proper ? I believe that I would use a regular nut, even though it meant that I would have to use a wrench. MIKE

08-09-2011, 04:07 PM	#8
PetesPonies Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 316	Re: Scratched Paint About the best you can do here is just touch it up with some extra paint. You have any? You use a small paint brush or even the end of a cardboard match, where it is torn off the pack. If it was a different type of paint, you could work with it after it dries, but with enamel I wouldn't suggest that. __________________ Pete's Ponies Mustang RUSToration & Performance

08-10-2011, 12:14 AM	#10
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Scratched Paint Wing nuts aren't on my unrestored 28 Phaeton. I'll get a picture tomorrow.

08-10-2011, 01:54 AM	#11
allen Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: petal mississippi Posts: 550	Re: Scratched Paint What about using a locking nut this would allow you to adjust and then not have to loosen it every time, as for as the paint good news it looks to be just the black, water sand the paint with 400 and then 600 get pin striping tape, tape under the black, paper off the car I would then shot the trim with a touch up gun, Norton makes a plastic wrap that catches the over spay very good stuff if you need the number let me know AL

08-14-2011, 09:44 PM	#13
fudggj Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Ohio Posts: 16	Re: Scratched Paint ...

08-15-2011, 10:59 AM	#14
Dick Carne Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 467	Re: Scratched Paint This must be a fairly common problem among all of the standard touring cars. On my '29, I'm always careful to ask a trusted assistant to help lower the top. I've also been using black electrical tie straps (I've gotten these in the past at a Home Depot or Lowe's in the electrical section) to help the leather straps hold the irons away from the body and to assist in holding the irons securely away from the body. Once these have been tightened, I cut the excess end of the strap off. It seems that at least on my car, and before I started using these tie straps, there was an equal opportunity to scratch the body even after the top was down. Using these electrical ties has at least saved that issue.