TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Jul 09, 2006 5:45 pm

Kirk wrote: I was asked to drag home a bus for a freind. He says "It's down near Tyler." No problem. Ended up being an hour past Tyler. 200 miles away from me. So anyway, we head out there, with spare tires in tow, and when we arrive, we find thedirtiest bus I have ever seen. Seriously. It has sat out in the trees since 1980. I believe the critters rightfully own it, but who am I to say.

So its on 3.5 flats, glad we brought spares. Ever tried to change the wheel on a car that hasn't moved in 26 years? HA! Finally we get them changed, and have a good look at the bus. No crap, I damn near went back home. Oddly, the cargo floor isn't rusted, and the rockers arent, but the drivers floor and front rocker are shot to hell. So I open the slider.

I damn near died. It smelled like a dead rhino crapped a dead monkey's ass. As I said, the critters own this bus, and here is proof.

Still has the fridge and sink he says. Did he mention that the fridge was mostly a rat's nest? I think not. So, thinking the worst is over, I open the passenger door.

All that black? Rat poop. Seriously. I gagged. This whole filthy monster was covered in green moss, and full of rat turds. So even after a long confrence. My freind still decides to take it, cause its cheap, its a 71, and he wants a project. So we load it.

Truthfully, the people were the nicest people I have ever met. They gave us tons of water, fresh fruit and vegtables from their garden, and offered us lunch. Declining, we head home. My freind is in charge of throwing all four flats in the back and shutting the hatch. This is important for later.

Heading back through Tyler, we hear a loud metallic clank, honks, and screeching tires. Thinking nothing of it, we push on. Stopping at car wash 1 of 3, I check the load. The rear hatch has come open, and we lost one wheel. Guess that explains the noise. After advising the now complete idiot what he did, and discovering that the car wash I manuevered us into is broke, we push on. We stop again in Greenville, at a new car wash. I stuff the bus in the wash bay, and stuff seven dollars worth of quarters in the machine. No kidding, this bus freaking stinks. It still smells horrible. So I blast off all the mold, and he gets the bright idea to wash out all the turds while I scrub with the brush. Long story short? He opens the doors, and starts washing all the turds out. Onto me.

Discussion turns to violence, and Kirk takes a shower in the car wash bay to remove the turds. Seven dollars later, the wash bay is screwed, I'm wet, and the bus still stinks. Telling him to check the straps, I go across the street to the dollar store for a towel. This is important for later.

I get back, and we start off. Not five miles later, I hear "tink-tink-tinkle-tink" and pull over. The left strap flew off. Thought you checked them. I did. You didn't or it wouldn't have come off. Went to fix it, its wet, and covered in rat turds. You fix it. Did. Back on the road. Did I mention I still have no AC and its 96 degrees? Yeah. So back we go. Get to Emory. See another small town carwash, free from witnesses. Pull up to the vaccum and spend two dollars sucking up rat turds. I pulled the tip off the hose, and used the open end to suck up everything I could. I gave him cans and sticks duty, and we filled up the trash. I vaccummed until it stopped up.

This thing is still full of turds, and now smells like wet rat crap. I tied my shirt to my face to block the smell. My freind starts scooping trash out with his hands and throwing it on the ground until I stop him. No reason to mess up someone elses place worse. Back on the road.

We finally find a place for fuel that I can pull up to with the bus in tow. Gas clerk wittingly advises me that I'm towing a big piece of shit. Thanking him, I get my chilli cheese fritos and leave. We finally make it back to Sherman, pull through his "to do" neighboorhood, and present his wife with the prize.

She hits the freaking roof. Refuses to have the possibly rat infested, dripping wet stinking bus at the house. Fears retribution from critters. Alleges possible sicknesses caused by said bus, including but not limited to the rocking pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu.

Argument ensues, and Kirk stares at his feet, pretending to be interested in the passing actions of a beetle. Most likely attracted by the smell of this bus.

Defeated, and dejected, my now ex-freind suggests we put this contraption at my apartment. Not likely. It ended up stuffed in a freinds back yard until further plans are made. He's out of town. Big suprise when he comes back.

We went to the dollar store, got a sixer of bug bombs, and put them in the bus. Hope no one calls the fire department, cause it was smoking.

I shower for 30 minutes, and immediately pass out, after 11 hours on the road.

Long story shorter? A 71 Parts bus may appear on the Samba in the near future.

Ever see the movie "a simple plan"?

Sun Jul 09, 2006 5:54 pm

I was heading to the vanagon forum and misclicked. I've gotten tired of the musings over there lately but continue to search for some soul. Dam after stumbling over this post I'm considering another fat chick. Thanks

Sun Jul 09, 2006 7:09 pm

BavarianWrench wrote: I was heading to the vanagon forum and misclicked. I've gotten tired of the musings over there lately but continue to search for some soul. Dam after stumbling over this post I'm considering another fat chick. Thanks
we're a novel bunch up in here. High 5 to the step brother boom!

Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:13 pm

A Friend in Need is a friend Indeed!

Wow I wish you were my friend!

Im sure in hindsite you would have swept alot of the vermin droppings out before moisture was applied---oh well -- we live ~ we learn.

I would have done everything possible to save that poor bus, and you did!
BRAVO!

Hope it finds a soul to care for its restoration back to a running and loved bus. You did good!

Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:50 pm

Elwood-Bluesvan wrote: Im sure in hindsite you would have swept alot of the vermin droppings out before moisture was applied---oh well -- we live ~ we learn.

Actually wetting it down is the proper and safe way to deal with rodent droppings to reduce the chance of contracting Hanta Virus. You don't want that stuff in an airborne dust going into your lungs. :shock: Something to remember when you find that rare barn find bus with the 20 years of "buildup" Barb. 8) :wink:

Awesome story though Kirk. You scored major Karma points with that adventure.

Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:03 pm

jtauxe wrote: Can you spell H A N T A V I R U S ?

Seriously - be carfeul handling rodent stuff. Hantavirus can be deadly. Read up on it.

Believe it or not, you are the second person to mention that to me. I had no idea until I started reading about it. Spooky stuff actually.

steponmebbbboom wrote:
Ever see the movie "a simple plan"?
No, why?

Elwood-Bluesvan wrote:
Im sure in hindsite you would have swept alot of the vermin droppings out before moisture was applied---oh well -- we live ~ we learn.

Yes. I sure would have. :lol:

wcfvw69 wrote: Great story!! You should be a writer!! :D :D

Thanks, its what I enjoy the most, actually.

I have a message on my machine. "Kirk! Hey, its Steve. I'll get us some beers and buy dinner if you wanna meet me at Jim's tomorrow and help clean out some of that trash. Call me. Oh yeah, bring your shop vac. Later!"

Sure Steve, sure. :lol:

Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:24 pm

Kirk wrote: jtauxe wrote: Can you spell H A N T A V I R U S ?

Seriously - be carfeul handling rodent stuff. Hantavirus can be deadly. Read up on it.

Believe it or not, you are the second person to mention that to me. I had no idea until I started reading about it. Spooky stuff actually.

It is scary shit (pun intended). It's a close relative of Ebola. Nothing like bleeding out every pore of your body and your organs turning to mush. :shock: You want to read some really scary stuff, find the book "The Hot Zone". Nobody knows just how close we were to a major outbreak of Ebola in the states. It'll really ruin your day when you crash and bleed out.

Kirk wrote: I have a message on my machine. "Kirk! Hey, its Steve. I'll get us some beers and buy dinner if you wanna meet me at Jim's tomorrow and help clean out some of that trash. Call me. Oh yeah, bring your shop vac. Later!"

Sure Steve, sure. :lol:

Go over and drink the beer while you watch him use your shop vac. :lol:

Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:48 pm

westy78 wrote: Elwood-Bluesvan wrote: Im sure in hindsite you would have swept alot of the vermin droppings out before moisture was applied---oh well -- we live ~ we learn.

Actually wetting it down is the proper and safe way to deal with rodent droppings to reduce the chance of contracting Hanta Virus. You don't want that stuff in an airborne dust going into your lungs. :shock: Something to remember when you find that rare barn find bus with the 20 years of "buildup" Barb. 8) :wink:

Awesome story though Kirk. You scored major Karma points with that adventure.

westy78, You are so right! I totally forgot about that scare and always carried a spray bottle of bleach solution with me while going thru abandon cabins ect. and wearing a mask. Its like jumping in the surf at sunset or rise, not thinking the sharks were hungry! 8) IGNORANCE---no excuse

Thanks for the heads up!

Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:24 am

All I have are like those white paper masks. I wore two when I went over and looked in it with him, but I am thinking of using the painting mask instead. :lol: :shock:

Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:42 am

yeah i say use the painting mask against that hantavirus, better wear a disposable tyvek suit as well. other than that, it reminds me of so many junkyard busses i have been thru, and i imagine you are lucky there were no rattlesnakes or killer bees camping out there.

just rip out the whole interior, dont try to clean AROUND anything. once you clean it you are going to love that bus, as from a distance it looks like a gem in the rough. dont forget there were rats crawling in and out of the fanshround. dont try to run it without pulling the motor and cleaning the nest out of the fins. happens everytime.

Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:31 am

I'd hose that bitch out, doesn't look like anything is any good anymore.
Rats pee about 3 times as much as they poop, so if the wood stuff has had rats living in or on it, it's got rat piss soaked into it.
I'd also check it for rust, if it's a good Texas bus it should be solid, but it looks like there is some rust through, from the inside out looks like, yuck!
If that bus is rusted through in spots I'd just call the junk yard and have them come get it.
I see plenty of solid buses in the area that might need a motor or transmission much cheaper than messing with that.

Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:34 am

I don't expect it to be around long. His wife is still throwing a fit, and its not even at their house. Ever seen "Christine"? The scene where he brings the Fury home, and his mom freaks out? Kinda like that. Anyone need a parts bus? :lol:

Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:40 am

Kirk wrote: I don't expect it to be around long. His wife is still throwing a fit, and its not even at their house. Ever seen "Christine"? The scene where he brings the Fury home, and his mom freaks out? Kinda like that. Anyone need a parts bus? :lol:
why do women bitch about projects so much? We don't complain about their shopping habits and all those pairs of shoes they have! :shock:
I'd say, there's the door if you don't like it- I was VeeDub when ya met me and I'm not changing!

Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:49 am

VWBusrepairman wrote: Kirk wrote: I don't expect it to be around long. His wife is still throwing a fit, and its not even at their house. Ever seen "Christine"? The scene where he brings the Fury home, and his mom freaks out? Kinda like that. Anyone need a parts bus? :lol:
why do women bitch about projects so much? We don't complain about their shopping habits and all those pairs of shoes they have! :shock:
I'd say, there's the door if you don't like it- I was VeeDub when ya met me and I'm not changing!

You're single aren't you?
If my wife brought home a dress or a pair of shoes that looked like that I'd be pissed to. :lol:
Also the likelyhood of finding a dead hippy in a new dress or pair of shoes is highly unlikely.
Now finding one in that bus, under the rubble is a possibility.

Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:59 am

VWBusrepairman wrote: Kirk wrote: I don't expect it to be around long. His wife is still throwing a fit, and its not even at their house. Ever seen "Christine"? The scene where he brings the Fury home, and his mom freaks out? Kinda like that. Anyone need a parts bus? :lol:
why do women bitch about projects so much? We don't complain about their shopping habits and all those pairs of shoes they have! :shock:
I'd say, there's the door if you don't like it- I was VeeDub when ya met me and I'm not changing!
I dunno, this might push even the most tolerant partner over the edge. There is "being VeeDub", and there is "hi honey, I brought home a large steel container full of feces". If that was up here in the rust belt, it would be worth stripping everything out of the interior and saving the shell. But down there, get the engine and trans and call it a day.

Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:01 am

I can't blame the wife for being horrified at that bus. Sheesh, what a mess. I love buses, but that one gives me the shudders. Love the story though! Too funny.

If he decides to clean it up, he should do a baking soda solution treatment after all the dirt is scrubbed out. Urine is a tough odor to eliminate and penetrates into little cracks and crevices. I have had good luck using baking soda solution. The trick is to let it dry after you spray it on. Little crystals form which absorb the odor.

Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:15 am

mightyart wrote:
You're single aren't you?

yes, sir. singe life isn't bad and most girls I meet seem ok about the VW hobby, BUT I'm not married and their opinion could quickly change once married.

I feel bad for any of you men who might have your testes in a jar.

Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:28 am

"it's cheap"

yeah aside from the cost of fuel to drive hundreds of miles roundtrip @ $3/gal and likely 15mpg or worse depending on how hilly the area is, temperatures, and such.. add in lunch for a few the $7 car washes , possible medical attention. and the alleged steak and beer dinner which will also have to go past the WIFE and budgetary restrictions (hence CHEAP bus project, thats HIS money, not Hers.. err Thiers).

the story was great and yeah I've done some wackey shytt with ill prepared unknowing and usually unintelligent friends.

for all of the costs, it would have been easier to wait and eye the local market for VW sales/auctions and bring home something that won't give you tetnis, Hvirus, ganegreen all in one chewy spalsh.. :oops:

I'm a long time (16yr) vw hobbiest, but i'm not rolling that shytt other then down a very steep hill while blaze.

VWs are gettin rare and hard to find.. but not this hard or desperate..

in one thought i'd expect VDUBTECH to have a similiar story (/JK), but i know him enough that he'd pass on it even for free & parrts.

Ohh and I can sympathize for the friend who's now unwittingly and likely unwillingly storing said VW compost heap.. as I've had the 'do me a favor' for just a couple days/weeks/ nearly a freaking year storing someone elses eyesore in my property.. if you want a hobby/parts car git yer own property.. I have my own neighborly problems.

sorry if this turned into a rant.. but ... it just aint right..

Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:29 am

(dripping with optimism) ya know it's not a bad looking bus under all that rat shit..nothing that 40 gallons of bleach can't fix...but the thought of the cabinets soaked in rat urine...

Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:45 am

Kirk, if I'd have known you were planning on going that far to pick up something like that, I would have told you about the 71 Westy pop-top here in the wrecking yard in Fort Worth that was complete up until about a week ago. They would have taken about $400 for it. Nice looking mustard color seats, childs cot, and everything. Someone took a cutting torch to the drivers side B pillar now. Still has lots of good parts if he needs them though. I have the cot and brackets.