Laminate for my 54XL

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

It looks like I may have no choice but to place a special order to get the laminate I need to replace the interior of my 54XL. The issue is that the laminate manufacturers still print White Ash laminate, but I have not found one yet that prints it in gloss finish. I can get matt finish no problem, but not gloss. I guess gloss finish for kitchens are passé.

Formica, which is the actual manufacturer Superior used for the laminate has a minimum order of 8 sheets, which is probably about double of what I need. I will reach out to the other manufacturers such as Wilsonart, Arborite or any other I can find to see what options I have. If anyone has any ideas, please drop me a line.

In the meantime I will measure exactly each components and compose exact drawings to calculate as accurately as possible the number of sheets I need based on the cutting pattern that will produce the least waist.

I am using Sketchup to draw each components. Once I am done I will be able to "blow-up" the components and overlap them on virtual sheets of laminate.

 

[Paul Steinberg]

You might want to try some local cabinet shops that might have some old inventory of laminate that they will sell. This is how I found the Colonial Classic linoleum that I needed for my 1969 Miller-Meteor ambulance. Found a local source that had about 2/3 of what I needed, and 2 other PCS members had scraps that were enough to complete the project.
Another place to look is laminate wholesalers that might have obsolete inventory. Ask the manufacturers if they have any wholesale accounts that might be able to help you. In fact, most manufacturers require you to buy products through a stocking warehouse.

 

[John ED Renstrom]

Let us know how you make out

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

You might want to try some local cabinet shops that might have some old inventory of laminate that they will sell. This is how I found the Colonial Classic linoleum that I needed for my 1969 Miller-Meteor ambulance. Found a local source that had about 2/3 of what I needed, and 2 other PCS members had scraps that were enough to complete the project.
Another place to look is laminate wholesalers that might have obsolete inventory. Ask the manufacturers if they have any wholesale accounts that might be able to help you. In fact, most manufacturers require you to buy products through a stocking warehouse.

I have called a number of places with no luck. All of the shops I spoke with do not have any of the gloss laminate and most suppliers do not sell to individuals. One of the cabinet shops however offered to order the material if I can find it and they and will sell it back to me at cost. They usually don't do this, but they thought that this was a cool project.

I still have a few leads to follow up on.

The detective work involved in the restoration of these cars is half of the fun isn't it!!!!

 

[John ED Renstrom]

Half the fun if it's your car mostly frustration if it's someone elses. You do learn a lot sourcing for things. I need a shelf rest. But no one has one small enough. I did learn that they measure then from the pivit to the hing though.

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

 

[John ED Renstrom]

A little fresh paint really helps. I sware the carred these thing threw a fog and called it good

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

A little fresh paint really helps. I sware the carred these thing threw a fog and called it good

I think that they definitively did not pat too much attention to the paint on the parts that were not in full view. Once I do the laminate over I will repaint all of the painted parts properly.

 

[John ED Renstrom]

We are just about there on this 70. Been re glueing things and stacking them in the corner as i go along. So when the flooring goes down we can paint the back sides and get the cabinet in place. With one of these each time you fix something it makes other things look bad.

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

Passenger side attendant seat.

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

Squad bench and rear door shelves

 

[Bill Leverett]

That's some pretty fancy drafting work.

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

That's some pretty fancy drafting work.

Thanks Bill. I'm taking the opportunity to learn to use Sketchup to draw in 3D. Once I am done I should be able to create stl files and print each components on my 3D printer.

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

Looks like there may be light at the end of the Formica laminate tunnel. I spoke with a very helpful Formica Rep (Thanks Tim for the contact). She scanned their database and their distributor's database, but there are no sheets of Gloss White Ash laminate in stock in Canada or the US.

Any orders for Gloss White Ash laminate will have to be special orders. As we know, there is an 8-sheet minimum order for 8 x 4 sheets, but she informed me that there is a 1-sheet minimum order for the larger 5 x 12 sheets.

Things are looking-up!

 

[John ED Renstrom]

At least you can get it.

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

At least you can get it.

Yes. I am happy with that. I will just have to connect with one of the local suppliers that deal with Formica as they do not sell to individuals.

 

[Tim Prieur]

J-M, do you think one sheet will work for you? That would be great.

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

J-M, do you think one sheet will work for you? That would be great.

I do not know yet. Only needing 1 large sheet Would be great.

 

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

I have decided to go back to plan #1 which was to make templates out of paper and mock-up how they would fit on sheets of laminate. Looks like I will need 2 sheets of 5 x 12 laminate to get the job done.

The first 2 pictures are the mock-up for the first sheet, and the third picture is what still needs to be mocked-up.