...and now am working on a project some of you guys actually working on these might like. A pre-55 Suburban (brown) "prototype".
Made of battleship linoleum.
If you don’t car about “stock” stuff, then don’t voice negative opinions on this item. That makes no sense. I seeit happen to people on forums, though, and I do not get it.
TWe are trying to get it routed to the same width/depth/ spacing as the original had.
I was surprised - finding a correct template in good shape (i.e. floor) was tougher than I thought it’s be. Even in dry climates, a lot of them are rumpled an rotten at the edges, it seems!
I am not selling anything right now - but there is just so much WRONG information on battleship linoleum, the application of it in early vehicles, etc. that it's frustrating.
Thought I would try to help if I could, and if you want a set, too…I can help soon, I think.
I know I had a heck of a time finding out much, initially!
I am opening this not just because I’ll have something for sale soon that’ll be the "right" old material, but also because even before I had a plan to make/sell...anything, wrong info. sent me all over the map just trying to get the stuff for myslef.
Woodie fiorums, Suburban forums, etc. There are always people interested, but not a lot of good info. From anyone who ever tried to use it.
the guy at Battleship Linoleum.com knows a lot about the material itself, and still sells it retail, last I knew.
And he doesn’t seem to me to be a “car guy” necessarily, but I see in the last couple of years has keyed into the wagon uses since that guy wrote an article in the Woodie Times about doing it in a Woodie wagon.
Mr. Lauria even sends free copies of the article, at your request with samples.
I recently even got a sample he sends out, done by one of his custonmers, with some sample grooves cut into it.
**(and it is 2.5mm thick, total, people…just like all the original stuff I have samples of!).
It can be done. You can do it yourself - if you’re handy. I am not going to insult your intelligence and say otherwise.
It’s just a lot of work, and the material is a “little” pricy at retail, but not if it’s the only one you are doing, for sure.
For us to resell these things we had to find a way to get it wholesale to make a big one like a Suburban worth doing.
Otherwise the material would be over $400. before even shipping it to us!
What we are trying to achieve is the look of a reproduction, not a replacement.
With this correct material you are ¾ of the way there trying to duplicate the look already, so I cannot take credit there.…the stuff IS the original material, so that part of it does itself.
The sheen and look is just like they came with.
It’s not like I am trying to pass off some sheet material I made had produced form vinyl…it’s battleship linoleum…
The only thing is trying to copy the tiny grooves at least “super close” to original, enough that it won’t look cartoony or soemthing.
Little trial and error there, but it’s going okay...and right on schedule.
Last edited by BURBflooring; 04/27/2010 11:13 PM.
