To replace missing panels, Bickford uses metal cut to fit, and for those
panels with a compound surface, he has them formed with an English
wheel. The only replacement panels he offers that are not remade in
metal are the upper door panels, which have extremely complicated
curves. For these, he has fiberglass panels molded in the original shape.
Before the panel is prepped, Bickford places the pre-cut veneer on
top of the panel in a vacuum press so the flat veneer begins to
conform to the curved panel’s shape. The press applies 2,000
pounds per square inch of pressure to help mate the veneer to the
panel. During this step, he marks the location of the metal panel on
the veneer so the two parts can be mated in exactly the same
position in a later step.Sanding the metal panels with a 36-grit disk removes any traces of
old material on used panels and, on both new and used panels,
creates a surface that will allow epoxy to adhere.To show how these panels are covered with veneer, Bickford used the
upper trunk panel on a 1946-’48 Town and Country convertible as an
example. These upper trunk panels are among those with a compound