From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Automobile finishes, synthetic resins like Bakelite, and coated textiles for roofing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 142\4\ scan0133 | |
| Date | 20th December 1927 guessed | |
| - 2 - (Ford has now standardized it in all his production.) AUTOMOBILE FINISHES The article confirms our practice in absolutely standardising lacquer finish. Also note following:- "It is the use of the proper kind of pigment (color material) which gives lacquers its durability, and without the increase in durability brought about by the pigment the lacquers could not be used in automobile finishing." "In labor and material cost the lacquer finish does not offer much of an advantage over the paint and varnish finish, but by decreasing time and floor space, great savings in cost are possible. "Lacquer finish on wood surfaces for outside exposure are not entirely satisfactory." "Lacquers are notoriously poor in adhesion to smooth metal- most plants in finishing automobiles use the old-style oil-type primers and surfacers. "The oil-type primers require oxygen from the air to enable them to dry. Consequently they must be applied and dried in thin layers. "Some other material for primers which will dry in thicker layers without requiring so much oxygen, is very badly needed by the industry." SYNTHETIC RESIN (Bakelite) " - is used in coil impregnation, as is well illustrated by the starting motor armature, which is thus made resistant to heat, shock, oils and moisture. " - is found in carbon brushes made of graphite where the phenol resinoid varnish is used as a binder. "A special use of the new flexible varnish is found in the manufacture of a very enduring waterproof sandpaper(for use in finishing coachwork. COATED TEXTILES (Dupont) Automobile Roofs "Meanwhile work on an improved product for closed cars had been started about 6 months before rubber-coated textiles began to be used for this purpose. After nearly 18 months the product known as Everbright was ready for the market. "It is a combination of a special rubber composition with an unusual varnish. "On exposure to the sun it develops only extremely minute "checks" practically invisible to the eye." "This is black. Colored materials are almost exclusively of pyroxilin type.) (Continued) | ||