Aircooled VW South Africa

nice!!
Closing the bonnet vent makes a huge difference. I left my badge bulge there for the badge tho.

Just want to confirm about the clear coat on the polished wheel. It can be done.




But ask my friend what happenes after a while The paint chips off because of what others say... The paint needs some scuffed area to 'bite'/stick to. If it doesnt, it just chips off. And then you have all kinds of seven sh!ts on your hands getting the rest of the paint off(that still 'sticks')!


On another subject though, how did you go about closing all those holes? Not real a question for me to learn from, just want to know what you did(I only ask, because I dont know if you are a panelbeater of trade or so).

Keep up the faith, even if the road is long!

Thanks Tony Z

I think it looks very nice without the vent. My bonnet didnt have a buldge for the VW badge just 3 little holes. Closed them as well

ZeroAxe

I closed the holes by Making a template of the hole and cutting a replacement piece out of 1mm cold rolled steel. Then i spot welded it into place and cleaned everything up nicely. Filled up with a bit of body filler and sanded down to a smooth finish. Not a pannel beater but i try to do it the right way. learning as i go.

thanks for the kind words. every bit of motivation helps.

Must say im not a big fan of the 'whale tale'(maybe because axe posted that ugly orange one)but yours looks good,know this is gonna sound dumb(afther u posted a sample pic of what ur aiming for)what colour u gonna paint it

Phillip wrote:Must say im not a big fan of the 'whale tale'(maybe because axe posted that ugly orange one)but yours looks good,know this is gonna sound dumb(afther u posted a sample pic of what ur aiming for)what colour u gonna paint it

Phillip

My car will be Graphite Black and Canary Yellow. I'm doing the original decklid and the Whale tail. so i can change it at any time. i agree that you get some ugly tails out there. Just depends on the look that you going for!

That is why I asked. Not that many people go about it the right way. It doesnt make a mile of a difference, but it should've been better to use 0.8mm. Just makes the finish interior/exterior better. But if being clumsy, the metal can warp very easily. As you are learning, I hope that you are learning not to put body-putty on thick. It realy should only be a Rizzla-thin coat to hide that last little bump you cant panelbeat out. Bondy/Putty is NOT a substitute for lack of panelbeating skills!

Keep up the good work.

when u buy ur paint,ask them to mix u a sample of 'mistic maze' yell,and see what u think ,ive painted one of my beetles that yell,very nice,,,

Hi guys

Thanks for the Advice ZeroAxe, i do make the putty as thin as possible coz i heard it cracks and breaks when its thick. I try to do it the right way, and will take any advice i can get ! Im not a pro but id rather do it right than have to do it all over again.

Thanks Phillip

I will have a look at the color,i havent decided 100% on the colors yet. i will be yellow and black!

Good work and keep going even if you are freezing your butt off!

Dutch_Diver wrote:Good work and keep going even if you are freezing your butt off!

Thanks Dutch Driver

Just got back from the 75th Beetle anniversary in Midrand. Took alot of photos, met SplitFan. Was very crowded but still worth it.

Straight back to my Project now!

Post some pics of the 75th anniverary! Please

Hi

Just an update.

Got some work done.





I took a lot of photos at 75th Anv. I will re size and Post all of them.

mooi man... I still like that wing

Tony Z wrote:mooi man... I still like that wing

Thanks Tony Z

That wing has a lot of work still to be done! But i think its worth it.

@ndrew wrote:Thanks for the Advice ZeroAxe, i do make the putty as thin as possible coz i heard it cracks and breaks when its thick. I try to do it the right way, and will take any advice i can get ! Im not a pro but id rather do it right than have to do it all over again.

No problem! The thing is not only thick putty that cracks. Putty is porous, that is where the problem lies. It 'soaks-up' water. Well, maybe it is a bit exagerated, but it that is what happens. What you have to make sure of is to have a proper etch primer on the bare, CLEAN metal. Then it is also a very good idea to have a good thin coat of epoxy primer to seal of the metal. From there you can work with your putty.

Obviously, the best method is also the most expensive one. And that is lead filling(or that is what it used to be called. Now that lead is a "banned" item, I am not sure what alloy the battons are made from. This is a much safer option for re$$$tauration. You can put it on ridiculously thick, and when done properly, never comes off! But you also add weight to your car And like I mentioned, COSTLY.

There is no substitute to proper panelbeating. And like most good things in life, takes a lot of work/practice to get right! Dont loose faith tho. Keep up the good work.