The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-20
REJUVENATING THE
FAITHFUL OLD CAR
Some Pointers on How to
Get More Service From
Her.

Within the past few years there has
come to be a sort OF basic standard in
automobile bodies and tops so that a
ear OF this years vintage does not look
greatly different from one built two or
three years ago except as regards the
ehabblness OF It's finish. This works out
TO the advantage of the car owner. in
that he, cam. as need arises, renew top
and curtains or any other part OF the
upper works and have practically a new
vehicle. As far as the body goes. IL In
simply a question of sending II to the
paint shop and having 1t refinished in
whatever color or colons one fancies.
For the top. the problem Is a little more
complex because there are number of
oinerent materials that may be used
and 1t may be OF interest to the car
owner to review the possibilities along
this line.
In the first place. the car owner should
Know that the best materiasl that can
be put into the top and the best work.
manship Will make the total cost only
slightly above that OF poor material and
unskiiled labor. Indeed. for the man
who possesses little skill in mechanics,
IL is possible to get a top covering al
reauy cut to fit the framework of the ton
that Is httod on his car and himself put
IL on. But the problem in either case
comes down TO the material to be used.
FOR the service to be demanded Of II
the top material must not spot or stain
easily, 1t must not fade readily nor be-
come lusterless. 1t must not absorb
dust and 1t must be easy to clean. or
course 1t must shed water.
The tops used in the early days were
either OF leather. which serves very we'll
put Is expensive, or of heavy water
PROCEED duck. This latter material has
many drawbacks and Is not generally
used to-day, because we have found a
number of other materials that serve the
PURPOSE better. without adding greatly
TO the cost
OF the cloth top materials mohair is
perhaps the most popular. This cloth
has a sort of lustrous surface and II
sheds water very well. 1t has the disad-
vantage or fading rather badly and alb
soros grease and dust. Frequent fold
ing gradually wrinkles this material,
ana in some cases II Is also subject to
shrinking. This latter condition is a
serious falling, because II means that
the top is going to be pulled out of
shape, tho curtains become too small to
mt the fasteners that are intended to
mold them In place and the result is not
edifying.
The leather top OF other days Is not
much used now. for the simple reason
that its cost is prohibitive Also leather
is not altogether adapted to resisting the
changes of temperature to which the top
is subjected. The leather loses its re-
silency and tends to crack under the
constant folding and creasing.
Within the past few years q number
OF materials lave been developed, which
nave smooth surface. which dirt and
dust cannot penetrate and which grease
does not stain. These are the type COM
monty referred 20 as imitation leather.
They really par take more OF the natureN
OF oilcloth. They are smooth surfaced,
glossy. with the surface grained to re-
semble feathers of various sorts. There
is rubber or a similar compound in their
coating. which makes them waterproof
By the nature Of their compounding
they are very flexible, so that the creas-
ing and folding necessary do not wear
them out nor rause them TO crack as
real leather does. These materials do
not fade, so that It takes longer for
them to become shabby.
1t is a good Idea when the Job OF
doing over the top is under way to have
an envelope made for housing the top
when it is down. This will naturally be
of the same material as the top itself,
and the leather limitations spoken Of be-
fore are particularly useful here. as the
Top cover is certain to get more or less
mud and grease or it,
In cases where the top Is OF the
"Springfed' type. that is to say, per-
ment. it requires refinishing after a GER
tain amount of service. Just as the ordi-
nary cape tops do. This may be done
IN one OF the leather imitations in fact
II usually IL.
BY the time that top has gotten so
shabby that it needs doing over, the
chances are that the upholstery OF the
car will be in need OF similar attentions.
In the case Of the imitation leather
tops it Is possible to have the seats up
holstered in exactly the same material
and color as the top.
Car owners should be very careful in
one respect, and that Is In making a
change OF color OF top or upholstery.
the interior trim. door Innings kick pads
pockets. &c. must be changed to har
monte with the new shade. In connec-
ton with the upholstery 1t is worth not
ing that there are a number OF combina
tons to choose from, as we'll as solid col
ors. OF course Spanish leather OF the
best grade Is unapproachable for this
purpose. and split leather in the better
grades Is very serviceable and attrac-
tive. Imitation feathers are next best;
in fact they are very much superior to
, a poor grade of leather.
A word as to the upkeep OF top and
curtains may not be amiss, since care in
this respect will postpone the inevitable
day Of replacement. A brisk brushing
with n stiff whskbroom should be given
top and curtains at least once every