TheSamba.com :: View topic - June 1952 molested split slow and painful refresh

Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:48 pm

I would say send it back where it came from.

Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:44 am

ook... so it's been a while.

the split is happy, i began working on it for the couple of days. cleaned it, changed the fuel hoses, started it, went for a ride... brakes work very well, engine purrs fine, all electrics are ok.

got myself some paint remover and started cleaning the VIN tag in the trunk. after some minutes it was clean, and i just noticed that a bit of paint is starting to crack... slide the cutter blade there... and voila! original paint, L90 sand, shiny and beautiful.. so i started cleaning with the cutter blade. what ou see in the pics is just a 20 minutes job, but in time i will be getting it to original paint. first the trunk, then the interior, and so on.

i got a split dash from someone kind to send it all the way to my place, got some small bits, and two pre 54 B pillars to repair the door latches.

if some of you think that it's a waste of money and time to get back to original shape/paint, but all i want is a daliy driver split, a reliable ride and not a showroom car.

all i need now (beside the small interior items) is a rear view clip, 2 ribbed doors, front and rear aprons. not bad, huh? :lol:

Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:06 pm

I dont think its a waste of time.......looks great.

:shock: That dash looks like it was cut out of mine.

Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:10 pm

that i thought right after unwrapping it... has a great patina look, i still don't know if i'll paint it or just use as it is... :?

Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:00 pm

Good luck, dude. That split has seen better days.

Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:05 pm

vwbeetleeurope wrote: that i thought right after unwrapping it... has a great patina look, i still don't know if i'll paint it or just use as it is... :?
As is 8)

Wed Oct 15, 2008 2:23 pm

It's nice to see you're taking the time to fix it right, keep us posted!

Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:10 am

more from today.

one question: what should i use to keep those metal bruises clean? i really don't want it to rust, and still keep the original paint safe? i could just use some rust converter, but i sure would like another opinion from a patina bug owner.

some details: the car has been resprayed 4 times over the original paint. i use paint remover, usually after 2 coats the newer paint bubbles up and i remove it using a plastic brush. found out that the og paint only softens a bit but does not bubble.

thanks!

Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:43 am

Hi, Great work-
I have been using Cellulose thinners and wire wool to strip the layers of paint from mine- Followed by some meths to kill the action.

I am just keeping all the OG paint heavily waxed to stop it rusting, but mine is just going to be a summer car, not a daily...

From this...

to this...

Good luck with yours. 8)

Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:03 am

Looks good man, keep going! 8)

What I did when stripping to O.G. paint was to get it how I wanted it, then lightly spray some clear coat over it. Then just wax it. Or like Paul_Revere's Ghia said, just heavily wax it.

Good luck dude!

Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:15 am

thank you for your good wishes!

unfortunately in my country there is no way i can get thorough the technical inspection with a patina paint :cry: . more to this, any cop can take my car's papers and write me a ticket just for riding such a car, and i can get my papers back just when the local authority gives the clearance that the car looks good/painted. they say that a patina car "affects the street's traffic looks" so, i have to blend in some paint at the exact colour then clear coat it... :x ..

more to this, we are not allowed to use other size of tires other than those specified in the car's papers, no surface rust allowed... i guess i am to poor to buy myself a new Mercedes or Porsche just to improve "the street's traffic looks" and can afford just an antique VW... :oops: :wink:

PS. that sucks... i want to move to America... :D

Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:30 am

Well come in Bulgaria! There are a lot of patina ladas, trabant, opel and audis here :lol:

Well, looks really good ;)

Keep on and good luck!

Julien

Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:05 pm

jooles wrote: Well come in Bulgaria! There are a lot of patina ladas, trabant, opel and audis here :lol:

Well, looks really good ;)

Keep on and good luck!

Julien

Hey Jooles, Bulgaria is a great country- I was in Plovdiv earlier this year- Its a really lovely city! Didn't see any VW's though- :(

Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:40 am

dealt with the steeringwheel today. cleaned up the nasty white paint off of it. i will let it this way... looks much better than freshly painted.

the horn button is wrong for a 52, i also have the golden crest to mount, but it stays on the car until i can get a petri full hornring (i wish!) :lol:

Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:22 pm

Paul_Revere's Ghia wrote:
Hey Jooles, Bulgaria is a great country- I was in Plovdiv earlier this year- Its a really lovely city! Didn't see any VW's though- :(

Sorry for the late answer :p Didn't wanted to spam. But, hey...
Indeed, this country is very nice :) And Plovdiv is very beautiful. Very few old bugs, but there are some, and closer you could expect... The 49 is coming for a village close to Plovdiv for instance ;) But those cars are hidden as often they are not driven... If you come back in the area, give me a PM, we can have a beer (or two, or more...)

Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:11 pm

Well, some things moved on... i got these B pillars from german fleabay, pretty affordable. i will use them to repair the split's B pillars that are modified for post 54 striker plates..

i got some nos dizzy caps, 43 kdf dizzy, small other parts for the car. the semaphores are just there to check if they fit... those are for my 58 euro rag... although i think i'll run smooth semaphores on the split for some time...

Sat Nov 29, 2008 6:22 am

Hadn't seen them yet! This looks nice. She will be gorgeous!

Ju

Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:42 am

that has been through some bad times! :shock:

im on your side though dude,it will be much better if you fix it back to its original state-using og vw metal too 8) - good luck!all the best from scotland with the resto! 8) 8)

Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:04 pm

Undis wrote: Enough to make a grown man cry! ...or take up drinking...

im already there with this car.... :shock: :shock:

Sat Jan 31, 2009 1:00 pm

i am still working on getting the right parts..

news:
i purchased a 53W decklid, a 54 front hood, doors are sale pending just waiting to pay, i got an almost complete january 1953 interior minus a seat bottom still with the original upholstery on it in decent shape.

i am still working in getting the molds for the taillights and popes nose, that should be done soon.

drawing a quick line all i'm missing right now is a rear window clip and a pair of bumpers, 2 dash pods, to name the important items.

i am currently waiting spring to start welding it and restoring at least to a more split-alike shape.

here's how it sits now