RETRIM

of AC's post-war 2 Litre Saloon
(retrim section to be expanded at a future date).

Flock Spraying

Introduction

Most AC 2 Litres appear to have had their boot (trunk) flock-sprayed a light brown colour. I have rarely seen any surviving cars that retain this finish, but a quick look inside the tool-tray reveals that flock was used originally. This finish was also used for the front shelf under the dashboard. In the boot, flock was applied to the side and front panels; the rear of the shelf area below the rear windows; fuel filler metal pipe; the boot-lid trim panels; tool-tray lid and tool-tray interior.

This type of trim gives a beautiful suede effect with a silky-smooth feel to it. It is added by applying a colour-matched adhesive, and then using an electro-static applicator to add the tiny fibres. The electric charge attracts the fibres to the glued surface, and also makes them stand at right-angles to said surface.

Available methods

Frost does an inexpensive kit that does not use any electrical equipment. Instead, a squeezy bottle sprays flock onto the glued surface. My first attempt at using this was only moderately successful, and it probably requires practice to gain the correct technique. The instructions say that one must squeeze the flock at high velocity for the best effect.

As flock spraying is an industrial process, the cost of conventional electro-static sprayers can be prohibitive. However, I did come across a seller on ebay in the UK marketing his own less expensive version (called FlockTech) developed for model railway grass scenery production. I used the same Frost flock and adhesive and had good results at my first attempt.

Colour

I ordered "Demerara" coloured flock and adhesive from Frost and this was fairly close to my faded original. It looks more reddish, but the original may have been nearer this colour, assuming that it matched the cloth trim inside the car. The Demerara may be a fraction too dark? Anyway, it looks and feels lovely!


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Website started 29th December 2006