Wood filler

[howard jones]

I have been following the very comprehensive advice on stripping / refurbishing and finishing traveller wood work ( which is very helpful ). The only thing I can't seem to find anywhere is : Colron Liquid Resin. Does anybody know if this is still available - and if it's labelled as just ' wood filler ? '

[bmcecosse]

There are many 'wood fillers' on the market - I assume your resin is a 'wood hardener'? Both filler and hardener are v temporary repair efforts - which won't add any worthwhile strength to seriously damaged timber......

[howard jones]

Thanks bmcecosse.
I haven't got any wood filler as yet. I was referring to the comprehensive write up on the sites 'bodywork' section that mentions Colron Liquid Resin which is suggested is mixed with sawdust for strength. I think in the write up, this is recommended for packing in where the waist rails meet the glass on the rear doors, and for any small bits of repair work where the strength of the wood is not effected. This is the product I can't find anywhere. The wood work on MY traveller is pretty solid ( where it matters ) and I just need to find the best suggested exterior wood filler for any patches. I am ready for ''de-varnishing'' the wood now and replenishing it, but I want to get everything in first.

[Coalmossian]

Howard,
Have a wee look at a post I put on some while back using Gorilla polyurethane glue and ash dust; " Coalmossian's Traveller,;Minor Woodwork Issues "
I haven't got the car on the road yet but nothing's shifted over the last year and it still looks good. The Gorilla glue expands within the gaps and is waterproof and is said to be the strongest glue on planet Earth! And it sands and chisels easily!

[howard jones]

Thanks Ian - know the glue ( and source ) of Gorilla glue but what sort of ''ash ? ''

[Coalmossian]

Howard,
Just some piece of ash wood from your Traveller will do. Are you going to remove any of the internal cappings or finishings? If so, once they're de-varnished, just put the wood on a bench on a piece of polythene or paper, get a piece of 120 grit abrasive paper and give it a good sand. You'll soon accumulate a wee pile of dust that you can use to mix in with the glue to form a paste. If you want I can use one of my sanders and make you a bit as I have some ash plank. If you are going to do it I wouldn't advise cheap glass paper as you'll get quite a lot of bits of the brittle abrasive in with the dust. I'd go for aluminium oxide paper.
When you've made your paste don't forget to introduce a little water into the cracks and gaps you're going to fill so that the paste foams up and expands.
Let me know if you want a bit of dust, and have fun!!!

[howard jones]

Thanks for the advice and the offer Ian - I have acquired some lengths of ash off an old pair of rear doors I bought for a replacement lock and handle and better glass, so I will be able to use these.
Kind regards, Howard

[Becko]

how did you get on with your frame ?
mine needs a few temp repairs[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Errrrr - that needs renewing, 'repairs' won't do - it is a structural part of the body......

[simmitc]

That said, a there have been many Travellers running round quite happily for years with a temporary repair:
Scrape out rot, allow to dry.
Add wood preserver and rot treatment (flood well) and allow to dry.
Add wood hardener and allow to dry.
Fill with aforementioned gorilla glue and ash dust.

Of course for a proper permanent repair it needs replacing, but not everyone has the time / money / skill to undertake that, and if the car can be used whilst savings accumulate then that's better than leaving it to get worse rather more quickly than it would with a temporary repair. A bit like a worn engine will go on forever with enough oil added. we all know that it should be replaced, but oil is cheap and readily available

[bmcecosse]

There are temporary repairs - and temporary repairs. That's a pretty important structural point of the timber body...it really should be properly repaired... And if that section is in that state - what condition is the rest of it likely to be??

[Becko]

hi.. i fully understand what your saying... the guy bought the car off said it was ' a little soft ' in places
as for a temp repair ( until i can afford to repalce the lot ) my plan was to cut off the rot which is only in three places
and 'dutch ' repair it ... well i think thats what they call it
ie remove the rotten section step repair and dowel a new section in

i no this is not the perfect way of doing it .. but needs must as they say
the rest of the frame i think isnt that bad[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[warb21]

What do you reckon to this bit of offside rear post? Have tried to use a high res pic to show the issue. For context all I'd say is, this is a close up so when looking at the whole car you generally wouldn't spot the problem.

Do I apply 'wood filler' from a large DIY store (comprising two letters joined by '&') even if the only filler I can find there says it's for interior wood (i.e. inside the house) ?[frame][/frame]

[simmitc]

absolutelt NO to interior filler. The clue is in the name Frequently interior fillers are not waterproof and not UV stable. If you are going to use a filler then go for Ronseal or Cuprinol. The alternative is the previously discussed gorilla clue and ash sawdust, or a marine epoxy such as the West system with a medium density filler added.

[warb21]

Thanks - I guessed the answer would be No but wanted to check! I've had a look at forum threads which mention Gorilla glue and they were v helpful. I know the inevitable will be a new post or even whole side but with only that top corner currently showing a problem I want to see if the erosion can at least be slowed down. Previous owner(s) varnished it so I don't know if there's worse rot underneath in more places.