RESTORATION OF AN
ARK HORSE

Having purchased an Ark Horse at the Fred Coupland auction in November 2002, the time has come to begin it's return to its former glory starting in March 2003. The Ark Horse just after purchase November 2002 The condition when viewed close up is not good.  The original outside edges had been replaced by new plywood ones, but these did not even follow the original shape of the carved centre sections.  The plywood had been nailed on and all the nail heads protruded and where rusting.  The front anchor plate was broken (see picture above).  It had woodworm and the seat was rotten. First job was to strip all the metal parts from the horse and remove the seat. Seat removed and all the metal taken off (12/03/2003) Next task was to sand off all the paint, on the sides there was only one layer but the centre sections had many layers and these were burnt off.  After a while i also removed the handle bar.  I also where possible re-cut the plywood sheets to match the shape of the original centre blocks of wood. Horse completely stripped down and just had its first coat of woodworm protector (17/03/2003) One small task that was quickly done was to re build the broken front anchor plate by welding a new piece on. Repaired Anchor Plate  I had considered removing the plywood sides and replacing with new but the damage that would have been done to what was left to get these sides off did not warrant it.  So i sanded all the nail heads and hammered them just below the surface and then painted them with red oxide. Horse with nails red oxided and ready for filling (30/03/2003) Next task is to do the major filling jobs in readiness for the first coat of primer. Horse with first coat of primer. (06/04/2003) After the first coat of primer the horse will be rubbed don between each of the next 7 coats of paint.  These will be 2nd coat of primer, 3rd coat of undercoat, 4th coat of unercoat, 5th coat of half gloss/half undercoat, 6th coat another mix of half and half. 7th coat will be the final colours.  Horse with final coat of paint prior to design being applied. (13/04/2003) After the final coat of base paint, a new seat has been fitted and the feet and handle have been re-attached.  Next step is to begin painting the colours back on.  I will not be using the design as purchased as this was very poor.  I will use a design similar to that on Colin DeVeys A&R Ark. Horse with first colours of the design being applied. (15/04/2003) Painting all the colours takes some time and i am only able to do one side at a time. Outside edge finished awaiting varnish. (20/04/2003) Next up is to varnish the paintwork before putting a new seat on. Outside edge finished with new seat. (27/04/2003) Inside edge finished. (27/04/2003) Close up of the head compare it with the before picture below. (27/04/2003) Close up of the head as purchased. (Oct 2002)     Carl Barlow Holds The Copyright For This Entire WEB Site. No Part Of It Is To Be Reproduced  Without Permission. 1999/2004. All text, links, references and pictures on this site are reproduced in good faith. If anyone has reason to believe that any part of this site should not be displayed please email me and I will consider its removal.

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