restoration suppliers

[Mike]

I should have mentioned that custom plastic casting can go much further than
just reproduction lenses.

For anyone who's interested, the opaque plastics can be used to replicate a
lot of hard to get bits for older vehicles.  Trim, knobs, handles, etc..

I recently acquired a 1972 VW Transporter (van).  The side door was stuck
shut until I managed to get it open far enough to remove the slide widget
and arm assembly from the van (the bit that slides down the side of the
vehicle when you open the door).  The arm was rusted into the slide bit, but
a lot of WD and some judiciously applied propane flame freed it up for
repairing.

Unfortunately, in the process of freeing the door, I broke the plastic door
handle completely off of the inside door mechanism.  In the past, I'd have
kicked myself and then headed off to the junk yard for another handle.  Now,
I just gathered the broken bits up into a container and will cast a new one
to replace it.  I'm also assuming that replacement lenses for the van will
be hard to get, and will make reproductions of them, too.

I use (and am a dealer for) Alumilite's casting product line.  They have a
nifty website that explains the many uses of their products.  If interested,
folks can find them at www.alumilite.com.

TTFN - Mike Jackson
Casting Fool & Son
Augusta, GA  USA
http://www.cfnson.com