1970 Baywindow Bus

[sean]

Ok, so I had to take a few steps back here.

The idiot panel beater didn't do what I asked and I was therefor unhappy with the paint finish.
This was really the first time I have decided to utilise a spray painter instead of doing it myself, it was most disappointing.

Round #2 at a different panel beater. Previous clowns paint to be sanded off and new HS primer applied.



Collection and transport back home after spray paint.



Assembly process. Finally, I can see the end of this project after this most frustrating panel beater story.

[sean]

Out with the old crusty window rubbers.


Replaced with new VW rubbers.


New window trim and scraper fitted


Then onto the interior. I tried to keep it as original as possible. I had the roof lining and chairs reupholstered. The door panels from the bus I still had and I managed to clean them up really nicely to re-use. The rubber floor mats and wheel arch rubber trimmings were ordered through VW Heritage and they are exactly like original. The RHD waffle backed front floor mat is a new addition and they were previously only in LHD. I'm very happy with these.

[sean]

Finally I was able to take the bus on a quick 500km test road trip last weekend to start with running the motor in and making sure everything is functioning nicely. The bus is going beautifully and didn't skip a beat on its test run.











One more pic not in the light. This colour is quite a little different to what I imagined. Its Java green and I had it mixed off one of Gerhards original colour samples. In the dark it looks like just plain dark green, but in the sunlight it definitely reveals a more turquoise green.

[Terry Phillips]

Nice and shiny what paint did you use 2k.

[hendriks]

That is a really nice colour. Great pics of your bus!!

[freddiebooysen]

Well done.

[fourier]

Another beautiful bus Sean! Like the colour combination.

[Tony Z]

looks stunning Sean

[AlanH]

Stunning indeed. Wish I could spend more time getting mine back on the road.

[Donovan D]

Beautiful bus Sean !

[jolas]

Well done captain

[acpaterson]

Very nice, and the usual attention to detail.
What did the old Panelbeater do that wasn't to your liking? And who did you use to replace them, and would you recommend them to others?

Looks awesome.
Alan

[sean]

Very nice, and the usual attention to detail.
What did the old Panelbeater do that wasn't to your liking? And who did you use to replace them, and would you recommend them to others?

Looks awesome.
Alan

I have never recommended a panel beater to anyone and not going to ever. One moment they do quality work and service and the other time can be a complete different experience.

I also only utilised the panel beater for spray painting. I will never give a panel beater a bus to strip or assemble, or even worse, for them to repair rust. They are not going to take the correct amount of time to do it properly or even have the knowledge to do a decent job of removal or panel replacement.

The previous panel beater did not utilise the quality paint I had specified. I found this out after demanding to see the tins of paint. The bus had stood for 2 or 3 months after his work and there was several inconsistencies in the colour and areas of shrinkage where I could see scratch marks in the paint. The first panel beater has agreed to refund me to cover panel beater #2 after making a huge scene, but I'm yet to see that money.

[sean]

I have managed to finish the last few remaining tasks on this bus.

One very important Volkswagen script fitted that I somehow didn't even notice was missing before.




Mudflaps fitted


I also just got the papers sorted and the bus through roadworthy. This one was a real utter pain with years of arrears, missing papers and still listed / registered to a Hotel. Anyway, more time later and a really irritating oke at the roadworthy, its all done.

I've also just done its 5000 km service and all seems to still be going very well.

[Eugene]

we're not worthy