VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Body - Sheet Metal, Paint & Wood 36 chevy old wood

I have a 36 coupe with all the wood and it's very intact and tight still.

Not rotted out or anything of that sort.

What can/should I put on it if I want to rejuvenate it and bring it back to full strength for the rest of time to come?

I don't want to pull any out or even touch any of it. Just what I can apply or spray on it to prevent further damage or aging.

There is a wood hardener that you can brush on. It is very thin and soaks in quickly. Once you start on a section you have to continuously spread it on until it won't take anymore. Then and only then can you quit spreading it onto that section. It will harden and be fairly tough. IMHO new wood is actually better because it is not 85/90 years old and brittle. I would especially recommend replacing wheel spokes because EVERYTHING is riding on them. Not always easy or cheap to replace the old though.

Art

My brother used to use linseed oil on old spoked buggy wheels and I have used it on old wood. It seems to help rejuvenate old dry wood and help to water proof it.

If the wheel spokes are viable and are not painted, give them a good soak in boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits mixed 50/50. I was told about this process from multiple old guys who used to be painters. They said that back in the day, folks brought their vehicles in to them for this maintenance work.

The mineral spirits helps the oil into soak into the hickory spokes. The linseed oil swells and strengthens the spokes.

I did all the wheels on my '27 one ton truck over 20 years ago and the spokes look like they might need it again now (they are looking a little dried out).

I soaked each wheel in a galvanized tub from Home Depot for one week. I kept the brake drum facing up (out of the liquid) to avoid getting it coated with the oil.

I suspect this is a job that is best done in warm weather or in a warm garage.

Cheers, Dean

Guys that's all good useful knowledge, my main concern in the wood inside the coupe body. Seems like boiled linseed oil and a slight mixture of mineral spirits would be the thing to do.

One cautionary note about linseed oil. It will darken the wood. A lot.

If you use it on dirty or not sanded spokes, they will turn VERY dark. I heard of one guy who used a piece of broken glass to scrape the spokes before soaking.

Cheers, Dean

If you do use linseed oil on your body wood don't leave the rags piled up or in the trash. I have read they can generate heat as they dry and ignite.

Dave