TheSamba.com :: View topic - My first VW Bus

Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:44 am

Just checked the cover for the external power and there is nothing on it. From the picture it looks like there is but it's just residue from an old sticker of some sort.

Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:52 am

Third one down on the left (robbed from WW)

Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:46 am

cheers

Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:04 pm

Just got through cleaning with soap, simple green and water. Turned out pretty well. Although, I found a lot of small places where the paint has chip and is starting to rust. Also, there is some rust on the seams behind the passenger seat and rear seat (See pictures). I'm trying to decide how I want to fix these. Any thoughts? The rest of the paint looks good so I hate to sand unless I have to. Also I'm dropping the bus off at Randys Foreign Auto Clinic in San Diego to have an inspection since I haven't had a chance yet. I'll let you know the outcome.

M Plate - If I did the math right looks like she was born on Wednesday, September 21, 1977

Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:30 pm

jbhampto wrote: Yeah, I'm not so sure about the mud flaps! adds some character I guess.

...not to mention protecting the stuff right behind them

nice bus!

Sat Aug 22, 2009 1:52 am

Your bus looks great! That rust you have pictured is minor. Hit everything with a sander or wire wheel. Then POR15.

I just took apart the interior of mine as well. While you have it apart, you might consider this:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=373683

I also added some Reflectix for thermal insulation.

Huge difference!

Good luck!

Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:03 pm

BUSBOSS, Very nice job with your bus. What was the initial flooring treatment that you had done - Rino Liner? Thanks for the advice, I been toying with the idea of doing a treatment like that or to just fix the rust spots and repaint.

Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:08 pm

jbhampto wrote: BUSBOSS, Very nice job with your bus. What was the initial flooring treatment that you had done - Rino Liner? Thanks for the advice, I been toying with the idea of doing a treatment like that or to just fix the rust spots and repaint.

Thanks man! 8)

That is standard issue POR15. Send me a PM if you decide to do it. I just finished and could provide some recent experience.

Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:23 pm

My Westfalia is a 1978 in Dakota Beige...well, originally that color. The code label is still behind the driver's seat. I got it in various shades of beige, blue, white, and gray primer.

I can't stop looking at these photos. Is that Dakota Beige? I had planned on a two-tone yellow and white, but beige looks really good.

Sat Aug 22, 2009 10:40 pm

Well, I think it's supposed to be dakota beige. It has been repainted and I'm not sure how well they match the original because I haven't seen a bus with original paint of that color in person. I don't think the interior has been repainted.

Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:16 pm

Well, the wife and daughter checked out the photos posted here and the family has decided on repainting our bus back to the original beige.

Thanks (seriously) for making this post. I already had planned on one of the Beetles being two-tone yellow and white, and wasn't sure I wanted the bus to match and I really like this beige color.

Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:15 am

I think Dakota Beige looks sharp and that you will be happy with that color, especially since you have the family's support! Let me know if you want some more photos.

Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:54 pm

My bus appears almost yellow instead of beige like this one, even inside where it has been protected from the sun. I even rechecked the color code behind the seat. Maybe the photo color is off on this laptop, but I pulled the color chart from TPGlobal (or something like that) and it looks more beige than my bus.

I'm confused but still searching. Thanks again.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:46 pm

Got my interior back in but my electric water pump broke (the plastic water outlet pipe sheared off in the water line). So i got a new pump but i can't figure out the wiring now (I didn't take photos like I should have). I blew a fuse trying to get it back together. My bus appears to have an inline fuse right out of the fuse box and the old pump had another inline fuse.

So my question is. How do I hook the switch up with the resistor boxes, grounding wires etc...basically a schematic for the operation of the electric pump. I think I have an idea, but looking for help to confirm. thanks.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:27 pm

I have one of those access holes as well. I did what you did - took the entire interior out. Everything. Bleached and hosed it all out (mice). Take the top off, get rid of the old canvas, put in new stuff and put it back on a nice cleaned out bus. Replace the old insulation with something of your choice. New carpet, pad, etc...it will be excellent.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:54 pm

I'd get at that rust behind the rear seat as soon as you can. That is a pita to fix when it rusts through. Get yourself some POR 15 and go to town. You could actually get a starter kit and actually have enough to do all the rust you have there. A little goes along way.
Here's the kit Bus Depot sells.
http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=POR15KIT

I bought this kit and a quart of black and started in my engine bay. I still haven't opened the quart yet.Bus looks nice. You'll have a really nice one once you get done. Might want to change out your fuel lines too. Hate to see it go up in smoke like so many do.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:21 pm

Nice looking bus man!

Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:33 pm

Quote: So my question is. How do I hook the switch up with the resistor boxes, grounding wires etc...basically a schematic for the operation of the electric pump. I think I have an idea, but looking for help to confirm. thanks.

Been here?

http://www.vintagebus.com/wiring/bus-79-westy.jpg

Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:48 pm

Thanks for the responses. Yeah, I'm sorting it out right now. I think I have a plan. We let yall know how it goes.

Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:22 pm

If you keep the mudflaps behind the front wheels they will protect the mid-section of the bus. That's why they are there. That's where they do the most good. Function, then form.