Masonite or Formica - 1954 Flying Cloud?

[hiyosilver]

I just finished checking out a great site posted by Sheri on another thread that lists vintage Airstream features & discovered a difference that might help me with getting the actual year our trailer was made. According to the site: http://www.insideout-design.net/VintageAS-models.html in 1954 Masonite was used for the counter tops, in 1955 Formica. Now the problem, I don't how to dertermine what I have or what each looks like. Am I showing my ignorance too much or worse lack of life experience??
We've nearly determined from the interior that the trailer was probably built in 1954 since the floor plan is matching other 1954's but not sold until 1955, then again could have been built with left-over parts. It's a nit-picky thing I know but when one get's their teeth into a mystery .....

[Janets Husband]

Originally Posted by hiyosilver

in 1954 Masonite was used for the counter tops, in 1955 Formica. Now the problem, I don't how to dertermine what I have or what each looks like.

OK to really tell the difference you will have to look at them end on.
Formica- about 5/32" thick very hard plastic, the color coat is just about .015" thick.
Masonite- relatively soft backing (fibrous) about 1/8 to 1/4" thick usually brown or tan in color. Sometimes it has a color coat applied to the working side.

[JohnG]

humm - Interesting

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Janet's Husband

OK to really tell the difference you will have to look at them end on.
Formica- about 5/32" thick very hard plastic, the color coat is just about .015" thick.
Masonite- relatively soft backing (fibrous) about 1/8 to 1/4" thick usually brown or tan in color. Sometimes it has a color coat applied to the working side.

Also, Formica is a brand name plastic laminate product which has a type of plastic coating on a phenolic back. Masonite is more of a fiberous wood based product that may have a thin smooth colorcoat over it.

Masonite is not as durable as Formica, but Formica hadn't been invented yet when it was used.

As far as telling the two apart, it the surface is scratched and it is kinda 'flaky' below...it's masonite. If it's more of a plastic surface that just allows surface scratches, it's probably Formica.

Shari