1939 Leyland TD5 [1635 DD]

2020

Norman Julian 10th Oct
: Very soon I'll be back working on this project again.
: I have just finished off the radiator for the 31 seater and it took about 4 months on and off.
: I think I said I wasn't in a hurry to do another but this one being all alloy frame it has its differences.
: I was a little dissapointed to discover that this radiator has the same seals as the other one did.
: I only ordered enough for the other.
: That's the way it goes.
: This radiator has a part broken off at the bottom.
: I will try and get a replacement or I maybe able to get the whole section recast.
: Alloy has got its advantages and disadvantages over the pressed steel one.
: If you maintain its appearance it can look brilliant but if you don't it can create oxidation as in the last few photos.
: I can give this a brushed finish look or I can buff it up to make it look like chrome.
: The chrome look would look fantastic but every single scratch and mark has to come out or it would be pointless and very noticeable.

Robert Stevenson
: Its the same with old cars.
: More attention to little details are taken during restos than was ever taken at the factory or by those who owned them.
: They were nothing special when they were just doing their job.

Norman Julian 10th Oct
: Light duties at the moment so I thought I would make a start on the radiator cap.
: Lots of dents etc.
: Everyone does this in their own fashion, I try and file out all the dents first.
: I follow the shapes using files or anything round like a broom handle or something and wrap the most course sandpaper I have and file it back till the impressions, scratches and dents are gone.
: The bottom picture shows this.
: Then it's just a matter of finishing it off by going up to finer and finer sandpaper till you have gotten rid of as many major scratches as you can.
: Once this is done the decision is made on the brushed look or the fully polished look.
: These buses would never have had a polished look, but a pleasing brushed finish.
: I think the radiator is the most attractive thing on any bus so I will try my hand at polishing this.

Robert Stevenson
: Polish it up and hit it with some 2 pack clear.
: Andrew Blacklock
: Cast a new one in bronze and chrome it
: lol
: Norman Julian
: Andrew Blacklock
: you're a real help
: Norman Julian
: The top tank part of the radiator is as bad as the cap.
: There is a decent amount of material as far as thickness is concerned in the making of these radiators, so I can take off quite a bit and probably get rid of most of the damage caused throughout the years.

Norman Julian 11th Oct
: This was just an exercise to see how well this cap would look with a bit of attention to detail.
: Given enough time I could improve on this but 4 hrs is long enough.
: Aluminum can come up OK.
: This is as shinny as chrome.
: I just put the others up again to show before and after.

Robert Stevenson
: Looks fantastic.
: Having polished stuff before I can appreciate the work that went into achieving that finish.

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