Presentation Case Restoration

[fleabus101]

I am not sure where to post this so I'll
start here.
Can someone who's had a case restored
give an approx. cost having one refitted.
Mainly the interior portion by someone here
that does this or had it done.
Or if someone here has guidance or exp
doing one yourself.
Any info you can share is much appreciated.
Thanks a Bunch!
J R...

 

[sbrmike]

I am far from an expert on this but did some "fitting" of gun cases for target rifles and accessories. This is shade tree and no suitable for a high end case restoration to original configuration.

1. Get some sponge rubber, foam rubber, styrofoam or whatever would be proper, i.e. soft or hard and cut to the dimension of the case.

2. Cut out a loose, rough, outline of the gun

3. Wrap the gun in in a couple layers of heavier plastic sheet and use tape to maintain the shape.

4. Spray some expansible foam insulation into the loose outline cut out and then lay the bagged up gun in it.

5. After it has set up remove the gun and trim excess foam.

6. Place velvet cloth over the insert or paint and spray "Suede Tex" or similar (essentially powdered velvet)

 

[murphydog]

Contact Joe Cebull (jcelect here on the forum) at [email protected].

He charges $50 plus shipping for reflocking the upper and lower liners of Presentation cases if that is what you seek. With the right materials I hear it is easy to do, but Joe does such a nice job I have not investigated that option.

 

[Jim Sharp]

Hi Randy - The top is just foam rubber but the bottom is molded plastic, so it's often damaged. If both are okay you're set to go - Hobby Lobby (and others I'm sure) have a flocking kit for around $5. It requires that you paint all surfaces, including the foam in the top, with latex paint the same color as your flocking will be. After the paint dries you brush on a clear adhesive provided in the kit, and sort of "poof" the flocking material out of the provided plastic bottle. There's a youtube video of it and it looks easy. In fact, many people say to apply the flocking material directly to the paint, skipping the adhesive step altogether. I checked it out because I have a presentation case for sale but I need to re-flock it. Hope this helps . . . Jim

 

[fleabus101]

I appreciate all the info given on the case
refurb. Studying to decide which way to proceed. Nice to have the folks here to help
out on these projects. Thanks for your input and guidance..
J R..

 

[Laketime]

Joe Cebull does nice work but the relining will be a sky blue and not the original dark blue . This would be easy to do yourself if you want it to look original.

 

[magmag]

Hi Randy - The top is just foam rubber but the bottom is molded plastic, so it's often damaged. If both are okay you're set to go - Hobby Lobby (and others I'm sure) have a flocking kit for around $5. It requires that you paint all surfaces, including the foam in the top, with latex paint the same color as your flocking will be. After the paint dries you brush on a clear adhesive provided in the kit, and sort of "poof" the flocking material out of the provided plastic bottle. There's a youtube video of it and it looks easy. In fact, many people say to apply the flocking material directly to the paint, skipping the adhesive step altogether. I checked it out because I have a presentation case for sale but I need to re-flock it. Hope this helps . . . Jim

Hi Jim, I have an early 80's case I want to re-flock and try your method. I have type under search in Hobby Lobby and Michaels "flocking kit" "flock" and none of them have the kit you mentioned, am I not looking at the right place? I saw a YouTube presentation case repair video where the young lady re flock her dad's presentation case, I also can't seen to find the products and adhesives she used in her video either.

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[magmag]

I found it on Woodcraft.com Thank you anyways. Gonna try to do it myself see how it comes out.

 

[kennyb]

Joe is da man for this!

 

[fleabus101]

Well,
Joe restored my case and I'm totally happy
with his work. Terrific effort and I will definitely
call on him again when needed.
Great experence dealing with Joe all around.
Thanks Again Joe
Best J R..

 

[jcelect]

Flocking

For those doing a project of reflocking of a S&W case, BE CAREFUL! S&W used 4 different type of liners in the Mahogany Presentation cases. Two were originally flocked and two were covered with a material that never stood the test of time! If you flock the type of liners that have a foam rubber top the flocking will create a "crush" on the foam. This crush will crack and maybe scratch the blueing of the gun over time! On the liners that used styro foam, the adhesive you use for the flocking may react with the styro and deteriorate the styro! As stated above, the blue of the flocking is much brighter than the original. However, it is the ONLY shade of blue I have been able to find!
For those satisfied customers of my, thank you for the compliments!
Joe Cebull SWCA#LM723

 

[01titan]

I have a couple of presentation boxes that are missing the molded plastic inserts. Does anyone know of a way to to find replacements?

 

[murphydog]

I have a couple of presentation boxes that are missing the molded plastic inserts. Does anyone know of a way to to find replacements?

See post #3 above, Joe 'may' have the case inserts.

PS Almost 4 years to your first post. Welcome!

 

[Vtgw938]

JR:

Assuming you have no inserts and assuming your handy you can make the inserts. I have done it, but it takes time and care. If your inserts just need new flocking, you can get that done easily as stated already. If no inserts, I think it is up you.

I got some 1 inch white styrofoam and cut the shape of the gun out using a dremel tool and a wood cutter bit. Because of the nature of the sytrofoam you can't get it very smooth. The couple I did I painted it and than sanded it smooth enough and covered it with stretch velvet. Looks very nice and I did not cut out for the tools as I like the looks without them. I have a supply of materials I just got to do some more, including some foam putty that should work well to smooth out the shape of the gun. Gluing can be tricky, especially if you don't want any wrinkles. The stretch velvet only stretches so much, plus you have to be careful with the glue so it doesn't soak through.

What I think looks the best (I don't try to copy the original) is to cover the the inserts with the stretch velvet by gluing and than I put another layer of material over the finished insert. When the gun is set in, the material stretches and the gun and cut-out are a perfect match. If you do a clamshell with two cut-out inserts the the top will appear flat across but still form to the gun when closed. This also gives you the option to change colors.

If you go the foam rubber route, it should really be 3/4 inch if you can find it, so that the case closes easily but still secures the gun. You don't need high density, especially if using 1 inch as it prevents the gun from compressing easily into the material.

Good luck, feel free to PM me if you want more particulars.

Attached are pictures of a 686 in a box with just covered foam, a 1950 in a covered plastic insert, and a 27 in a homemade stryofoam clamshell style insert. I use what I have, I don't worry about whether they came in a particular style case.

 

[rxbrew]

Don't even think about it. Just get ahold of Joe. Done and done