robv
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Post by robv on Apr 12, 2018 19:59:30 GMT -8
Recently bought a 1959 Shasta Airflyte that has lots of water damage. How can I tell if these interior panels are Ash or Birch? The grain looks very pronounced, but not sure if that is from the water damage. Any experts weigh in? Front Interior by Rob Vee, on Flickr Kitchen Interior by Rob Vee, on Flickr
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Post by vikx on Apr 12, 2018 20:14:12 GMT -8
Welcome Robv,
I'm pretty sure it's ash. We've had several discussions on how impossible it is to find these days...
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robv
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Post by robv on Apr 12, 2018 20:16:52 GMT -8
I saw on some other thread someone talking about Oak being similar grain to Ash. Do I read this correctly to look for 1/8" sheets for curved surfaces and 1/4 sheets for interior walls? Or is the preferred 1/8" all walls interior?
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Post by vikx on Apr 12, 2018 21:09:48 GMT -8
It depends on the trailer. The curves are almost always 1/8", while the walls are either 1/8 or 1/4. That's 3/16 in today's world.
White oak can resemble ash, yes. Mobiltec has experimented with that as well as other members. I used very 'busy' birch in my 57 Deluxe and it came out pretty well. Not perfect but the best I could get. Sometimes you just have to go with what you can get.
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Apr 13, 2018 5:05:45 GMT -8
Some people including myself ended up replacing with birch and sanding down the old ash and amber shellacking it all to match. There is still a difference in the grain but the uniform amber shellac helps it blend together.
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SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on Apr 13, 2018 5:17:55 GMT -8
That does look like ash. I have original ash on my walls and birch on the ceiling I replaced.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Apr 13, 2018 8:07:23 GMT -8
Alternatively, you could just emphasize the difference in the woods by using another shade of finish on purpose. We had a gorgeous mid-century home that did just that using a combination of cedar and black walnut. It was stunning. And though unconventional, this could be, too. We could NEVER come close to matching the grain in our Compact’s paneling. When we replaced it, we found panels that have a distinct heart shape to the grain. Rather than tear all of it out, we would probably go for a contrast.
If you can save some of the original, don’t just think outside the box, throw the box out. If anyone asks about it, just say, “It’s a feature.”
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Post by danrhodes on Apr 13, 2018 15:01:52 GMT -8
We totally mixed and matched birch and oak. We used birch for the walls and ceiling and ash for the cabinets. The cabinet doors are birch and it all looks sort of intentional.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 16, 2018 15:41:11 GMT -8
Oak makes a great match for Ash... I've done it. Still doing it.
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