1. Do all carriages have the same sort of coach lamps?

No. Each carriage has its specific lamps, according to its size and type.

2. Do the numbers on the axles show the age of a carriage?

No, the axles are usually made in an axle factory where they used their own system for numbering. The nuts were given a letter and a number.

It is possible to trace the period in which a carriage builder was at work.

3. How do I determine the age of a carriage?

That is a complicated business. Sometimes it is possible to find comparative material in carriage museums as they have a database showing various carriage builders and the dates when the carriages were built. There are also private owners who know when their carriages were built.

Sometimes it is possible to date a carriage by the carving on it.

4. How do I find out what the original colour of the carriage was?

Usually you will be able to find it on the carriage somewhere. Look for it on the wheels or the undercarriage or the box. Try scraping a little off each layer of paint to give you an idea of the colours and striping that were applied originally.

This is very important for determining the original layer.

5. How do I get rid of woodworm in the carriage? Can I treat it with paraffin? Would that do the trick?

No, paraffin is not toxic and will not kill the woodworm.

The best way to get rid of them is to keep the carriage in a freezer for three weeks, or treat the carriage with a chemical against woodworm. There are various brands available.

6. Must I always remove the layers of paint if I wish to give the carriage a different colour?

If the coats of paint adhere well, it will not be necessary to remove them. Sandpaper the top layer and then apply a new coat.

7. Should I oil the leatherwork of the carriage?

Not if it is patent leather. It will not absorb any oil (patent leather has been treated with a layer of varnish.).

If the leather has not been treated, it would be advisable.

8. The carriage has a leather roof. The leather has shrunk and has come loose where it was fastened to the wood. Can this be restored?

When leather has shrunk it is difficult to stretch it back to where it was originally attached. It would be possible to glue a strip of thin leather underneath and attach that to the wooden strip.

9. The spokes have come loose at the felloes. Would the solution be to apply moisture to the wheels so that the wood expands and the spokes fit the felloes once more?

No, the wheels will dry out again allowing the spokes to come loose once more. Have the wheels shrunk by a reliable restorer.

10. The springs on my carriage are soft. What can I do to increase the tension?

Take them to a good blacksmith.

11. The varnish on my carriage is alligatored and has a greenish colour. Must I remove the complete coat of paint?

No, you only need to remove the coat of varnish; this is usually done by an experienced restorer.

12. There are cracks in the panels; can they be filled with a 2-component filler?

This is not advisable. The crack usually appears again because the filler comes loose at the split; it would be better to glue in a pin or a wedge.

13. What do I do if I come across mildew in the upholstery of my carriage?

You should always remove mildew with the vacuum cleaner because mildew leaves spores. If you should brush it off it might infect other materials.

Mildew is formed at a temperature above 18 degrees Celsius and a humidity of above 65 %.

14. What is conservation?

Preserving the carriage as much as possible in its original state, even if the paintwork or upholstery is damaged or in a poor condition.

Which implies not renewing the paintwork or the upholstery.

15. What is restoration?

Restoration implies, for example, renewing the upholstery, removing the old layer of paint and applying a new one.

Inserting new panels or having new wheels made.

16. What must I be sure to do when beginning restoration or conservation?

Take a photograph of each part of the carriage, e.g. the wheels, the undercarriage, etc., a clear photograph of the striping, monograms, if any, and any damage.

Enquire at other museums as to whether they have a similar type of carriage, which is often still in its original state.

17. Which is the best method of storing a carriage?

The best way is of course in dark surroundings with a humidity of 65 %. But that is not always possible.

Try to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible as it would warp the panels.

Good ventilation is also very important so that the carriage can dry out well after being used and after cleaning.

18. Would it be possible to clean the cushions, made of cloth, with a liquid cleanser?

The best method is to clean them with a vacuum cleaner on a low volume, thus avoiding the possibility of sucking up any buttons. If that is not possible, clean them with a moist cloth.