Go down the local saddler and get some wash for New Zealand rugs. That will do the job, a good wash and scrub with a soft brush. Reproof with something like brick seal. One other method, when it snows, take canvas and lie onto the snow. Then heap clean dry snow on to the canvas and scrub with a soft brush. This is a method used on Persian Rugs. Works very well, but you do need the right weather conditions. (Probably next week at the rate UK weather is going)
I used Plasteel to fix an inch wide hole in a sump (Don't ask, the breather on the front axle went up further than it should) That lasted for 6 months till the vehicle was scrapped.
4 numbers could be an early Donkey number. If it and still on the States of Gurnersey books, the price they make would go a long way towards the restoration. I see you have a least got the instruction books.
It's all down to that Bl**dy 'A' ! Any Goverment 'Agency'means the Tresuery don't pay us, you pay our wages, and guess what ? There is no competion. :mad: VOSA , DVLA, CGMA, Highways Agency, MDPand Gaurding Agency! The list just goes on,
Back in WW1 the 36 th Ulster divison, mostly staunch uniounists had a Catholic Padre attached who was killed in action. Virtually the whole divison wanted to attend his funeral. Geroge McDonald Fraser in one of his McClauslan stories about an inter regimental quiz says he didn't know a Catholic Padre who couldn't win over the toughest crowd.