TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:10 pm

I bought a bench from a flea market 3 years or so ago for 100.00 along with a set of bumpers. I think it is a 64-66 bench but I have no idea what it came out of. I had plans of re-upholstering it to match mine, but I am just having a hard time ruining such a nice bench. Thus, why it is in my house, covered by a moving blanket and still pretty much the way I bought it. WHile I am all for Bus home decor, I have to say it is inconvenient to have it in my living room behind the couch.

It just has 2 small tears in it. Its comfy to sit on too. Any ideas what model/color/year this one came out of? Also how can I get those handle bars clean without jacking them up?

Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:15 pm

I would call it Florence

Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:19 pm

Thanks Kev, I really needed a good laugh today :P

Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:21 pm

Very nice bench, I'm sure an expert will be along shortly.
Lind?

Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:06 pm

With those grab handles, it's from a 62-63 Bus. Chrome ends and vinyl handles.

The frame itself is 58-63.

I've never had much luck cleaning the handles up to look nice. Normal cleaner/degreaser will get them clean but they will still be yellow.

The upholstery is not original (obviously) so reupholster it...

Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:32 pm

I don't know if it would work on handles that are that discolored but I have rubbed 0000 steel wool on my oh shit handles to clean them.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:07 am

Thanks for the info. How is a 66 bench different from this one?

Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:26 am

I used Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on my oh shit handle to whiten it up, worked pretty good, just make sure to wash it good after

Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:28 am

EverettB wrote:
I've never had much luck cleaning the handles up to look nice. Normal cleaner/degreaser will get them clean but they will still be yellow.

Westleys White will clean them. I use it on Visors and and white plastic/vinyl, works excellent. Wally World use to carry it, don't see it there. Checker was the last place I got it.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:46 am

Recovered my grab bars with rubber from WW's grab handles.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:00 am

WW sells repop grab handles?

Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:19 am

Scott's '63 23 wrote: Recovered my grab bars with rubber from WW's grab handles.

This?
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211857641A

Are there seams somewhere then because the dash grab handles are shorter, right?

Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:33 am

EverettB wrote: Scott's '63 23 wrote: Recovered my grab bars with rubber from WW's grab handles.

This?
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211857641A

Are there seams somewhere then because the dash grab handles are shorter, right?

When WW gets their rubber in for the dash grab handles (same rubber), it's in a roll. They cut it for their handles. I noticed that the rubber was the same a few years ago and asked them if I could buy enough to recover my middle seat grab bars. Ron sold it to me but has turned down some other requests when he gets low on the 'roll'...

Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:58 pm

Great cleaning tips. I'm going to try and find that Westleys White. So can anyone tell me the different between the bench I have and a 66 bench?

Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:12 pm

ldsvwguy wrote: Great cleaning tips. I'm going to try and find that Westleys White. So can anyone tell me the different between the bench I have and a 66 bench? On a '66 seat, the outermost leg (by the cargo doors), is at an angle, vs. straight/verticle like your seat is. Also, the fold down section folds straight forward while '64- fold forward at a slight angle. I have a '64 seat in my bus, with '62-63 grab handles. the handle on the flipper section bows up at an arc, whereas the og handle fit perfectly. This leads me to believe the flipper section is dimensionally different as well, only a little, but enough to create the "bow". Tried two diff. sets of '62-3 handles with the same results.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:57 pm

Thanks for that explanation Dave. I guess i need to decide if it is worth keeping now or if I should look for a correct year one.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:56 pm

I missed it if you mentioned it, but what year seat do you need? I would bet you could trade a different later year seat for that one easily. I have a bunch, and could use a '63 seat for my deluxe.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:19 pm

It should be pretty easy to trade for later seat.