02-09-2017, 09:13 AM
(31-08-2017, 08:24 PM)Ian Williams Wrote: Chris, the D moulding Austin used was built up from fabric and covered in Rexine, this was simply wrapped around and the edge hidden beneath the beading, one could do exactly the same if using the Metal moulding Ruairidh referred to. Rexine is today sold under the name Abertex, this modern version is as far as I can tell identical to the product Austin used on their seat backs, door cards and beadings.
Thank you Ian, much appreciated. Your remarks have gently reminded me that I actually have a pair of (saloon) seats tucked away in the store that I'd forgotten about, and their original beading is obligingly disintegrating too (embarrassed). On close inspection the 'core' is wound from string (can't think of a better way to describe it) and seems to have been firmly moulded into the 'D' shape, which is 5/16 x 1/8, if anyone is interested. It is indeed covered in rexine, which matches the leather seats in colour (blue, in this case). The method of assembly baffles me slightly, the D-bead is attached to the seat by the same tacks which secure the leather flutes to the woodwork (spaced at 1.5" or so), but these pass only through the lower layer of rexine, not the core. The rexine is wound around the core, doubles back slightly at the final edge, and crimped/sewn in a zig-zag of fine wire. I can only guess it was tacked in place in an 'open' condition, then 'closed' in situ.
This https://www.gemalia.com/en/half-round-le...nd-2022302 suggests that half-round core material is potentially sourceable (in this case too short and too fat) if one can figure out how to cover and fix it.