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Old 05-30-2014, 08:50 AM   #1
Terry,NJ
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Default Chicken wire top questions

Does the top/roof of the car (1930 Town Sedan) go on before painting or after? Crazy as it seems, I think I've seen some that were painted and some that weren't. That's why the confusion. Any suggestions for putting it on? Treatments, etc
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Old 05-30-2014, 10:31 AM   #2
Ed in Maine
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Default Re: Chicken wire top questions

I know I will be yelled at for this suggestion but I wouldn't use chicken wire. It is not strong enough for me. I used 1/2 in. square mesh which is much stiffer. It is hidden, no one will every know you used it. My car was a coupe. Not sure you can purchase this mesh wide enough. Ed
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Old 05-30-2014, 10:52 AM   #3
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Default Re: Chicken wire top questions

Has anyone found chicken wire that is soldered, like it used to be, instead of twisted, as the modern stuff is?
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Old 05-30-2014, 01:05 PM   #4
Bob Bidonde
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Default Re: Chicken wire top questions

The original chicken wire is still on my 190A, and it is not painted. The chicken wire is the twisted type.The type of wire (twisted chicken) was found on my 1931 Coupe.

On my Coupe I replaced the chicken wire 3/8" square soldered wire, and since 1980 it has kept its shape. If you use the stiffer soldered wire, make sure to use a heavy cloth on top of the wood bows to prevent rattling. The soldered wire is easier to work with.
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Old 05-30-2014, 02:31 PM   #5
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. . . (twisted chicken) . . . .
Wasn't that an '80s rock band?
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Old 05-31-2014, 08:53 AM   #6
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Thanks guys! Silly as it sounds this question was bugging me. I was talking to a guy who's restoring a Tudor and he says he's going to put the roof on after painting. Little things like this can start real serious "should I or shouldn't I? questions in my mind.
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Old 05-31-2014, 11:06 AM   #7
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Wasn't that an '80s rock band?
I think that 80's band was Twisted Sister.
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Old 06-01-2014, 08:19 AM   #8
Terry,NJ
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Default Re: Chicken wire top questions

Thanks Don! It's a lot clearer now. Two different cars and two different methods, but both maybe Fords of the same year. We tend to think they're all done the same, but they're not.
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Old 06-01-2014, 03:18 PM   #9
marc hildebrant
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Default Re: Chicken wire top questions

My 1933 Chev had chicken wire under the fabric top. Also, a wire was connected to the chicken wire and brought down for an option antenna for a radio.

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Old 06-01-2014, 03:31 PM   #10
Charlie Stephens
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My 1933 Chev had chicken wire under the fabric top. Also, a wire was connected to the chicken wire and brought down for an option antenna for a radio.

Marc
I have been told many times about using the chicken wire as an antenna. How did it work out as for as performance as an antenna?

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Old 06-01-2014, 04:52 PM   #11
marc hildebrant
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Re: Chicken Wire Results

I had excellent results using the chicken wire as an antenna. At the time, I was using a 12 volts am\fm radio on the 6 volt system and I still could receive all stations. I did have some reduced volume though with the 12 volt radio running on 6 volts.

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Old 06-02-2014, 04:23 PM   #12
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default Re: Chicken wire top questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed in Maine View Post
I know I will be yelled at for this suggestion but I wouldn't use chicken wire. It is not strong enough for me. I used 1/2 in. square mesh which is much stiffer. It is hidden, no one will every know you used it. My car was a coupe. Not sure you can purchase this mesh wide enough. Ed
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde View Post
The original chicken wire is still on my 190A, and it is not painted. The chicken wire is the twisted type.The type of wire (twisted chicken) was found on my 1931 Coupe.

On my Coupe I replaced the chicken wire 3/8" square soldered wire, and since 1980 it has kept its shape. If you use the stiffer soldered wire, make sure to use a heavy cloth on top of the wood bows to prevent rattling. The soldered wire is easier to work with.
Did y'all really replace original roof wire on a Coupe??

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