Isinglass Windows

[G.M.]

My 32 woody has sat for years in an air conditioned area and the
Isinglass window were sticky with oil released from the windows.
This was thick and you could not see through them. I have a girl
that cleans boats and cars that is a real worker in cleaning all of
my cars. This oily sticky substance was all over the wood also. She
started with vinegar which removed some of it but a strong industrial
detergent got them shiny and clear and now you can see through them.
The detergent also cleaned the canvas and when dry we applied a coat
of water proofing used on boots. She finished the windows with glass
wax and they look almost new. She had to clean the wood about 3 times
to get all the gum out of the little groves and spent over a day on the
cleaning but the woody looks like new. This woody has beautifully
matched wood. This car came from MGM Studios about 45 years ago.
I am going to call them and see if I can find out any history of films
it may have been used in. I also have a 32 cabriolet to match. I am
86 now and need to start selling some of them. G.M.

[ford38v8]

George, it sounds like that girl may be worth more than your cars! Keep her on a short leash, for sure!

[dwaynec]

I am glad that she got the windows cleaned up. One thing I have found with the isinglass on our boat is that using mineral spirits is a good way to get that sticky residue off the windows.

[rotorwrench]

Professional boat repair folks know all the tricks to cleaning old vinyl transparencies and sunbrella type top materials as well as other types of coverings. Boats live in a harsh environment and take a lot more work to keep up both the tops and the hulls.


Ford may have used clear celluloid back in the 20s & early 30s but that stuff self destructed over time unless it is kept in perfect conditions of temperature and humidity and even then it still deteriorates.

[Karl Wolf]

G.M., I sure would like to know what waterproofing (for boots) is that can be used on canvas. (This is for a Model A roadster top).

Thanks, Karl

[G.M.]

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Originally Posted by Karl Wolf

G.M., I sure would like to know what waterproofing (for boots) is that can be used on canvas. (This is for a Model A roadster top).

Thanks, Karl

I don't know the name but is for sale in most hardware stores. I have use
various brands on my old Ford tops and side curtains for over 30 years.
You want to scrub the top with a soft brush, warm water and something
like Dawn or Ivory soap. Rinse good and wipe hard with a towel a number
of times until the towel looks clean. Let it dry at least over night before
applying the water proofing which can be sprayed on or with one of those cheap 1" soft chip brushes. I sprayed some in a container to brush on. G.M.

[adileo]

I had an old timer told me use pledge furniture polish (spray white foam) on my boats isinglass. Worked well.

[uncle buck]

G.M. the only thing missing here is the pictures of the woody and the cabriolet…...

[G.M.]

Originally Posted by uncle buck

G.M. the only thing missing here is the pictures of the woody and the cabriolet…...

Here are a few of the 32 pictures. G.M.

[uncle buck]

very nice !

[DavidG]

No doubt about the cabriolet (looks super), but the station wagon looks a lot more like a '29 than a '32.

[G.M.]

Originally Posted by DavidG

No doubt about the cabriolet (looks super), but the station wagon looks a lot more like a '29 than a '32.

Your right it was my 29 which has been sold. I replaced the 29 picture with the 32. Thanks for pointing it out. G.M.

[Tim Ayers]

Those ‘32 Woodies are certainly neat!

[russcc]

Marine supply stores have various products for waterproofing canvas and Sunbrella top materials.

[uncle buck]

Originally Posted by G.M.

Your right it was my 29 which has been sold. I replaced the 29 picture with the 32. Thanks for pointing it out. G.M.

The 29 was nice.... but I really like the 32 !