Over fifty years ago I learned restoration techniques from former
Ampico workers, including Mr. Wells Benedict, head of the Ampico
service department, along with Mr. George Binder, Mr. Max Dechau and
his brother, Louis Dechau.
Over forty years ago, I taught a course in recovering pneumatics.
I built a very large replica of pneumatic boards for demonstrating in
the front of the class. Each student was given five old pneumatics for
practice. I taught the students how to remove the old bellows cloth,
prepare the surface and apply new bellows cloth. Many students did
well. A few applied too much glue, but they all learned, and practiced
on something that allowed them to make errors.
I am fully retired now and only work to keep my own Ampico in good
condition.
Bruce Clark
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