TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:16 am

Hi all,

First let me introduce myself...
I'm a 40 years old french guy. I recently (8 month) immigrated with my beautiful american woman and kids to USA (NC)... So first of all I apologize in advance for my poor english... If you see mistakes with spelling or grammar please don't shoot the pianist :?
Point number two : I can't emphasize enough how useful is this website... I've read and read and read and learned tons of things about vw buses and repair/restoration processes so a big thank you for those guys who work in the shadow to keep The Samba up and running and the countless numbers of posting written by skilled people... :wink:

This been said : I can't believe that : that's it... I'm about to have my own bus... I've been wanting one for the last 20 years... Actually since i drove one for the first time but never had the opportunity to buy one myself...

I found it in the classified here by the way...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=923848

The seller and I had an agreement (thank you J. he will recognize himself I guess) so I'll pick it within the next two days (damn it's long :wink: )... I feel like a kid waiting for christmas eve...

Point number 3 : I see myself as an average tinkerer... another passion of mine is remote control planes : I build them, fly them and fix them all the time... This hobby has learned me patience which I think I'll need with my bus project... I'm also not too bad at fixing stuff and I have a good experience with prep and painting interior homes...
But that's it... This is my first car/bus project...

So this what this thread is about : repair by a dummy...
Last... I've seen a lot of post here of people asking for prices fo such or such things...
Per I came to this country not a long time ago i had to get rid of ALL my tools back in France :cry: ... So I literrally start from scratch... (not even a screw driver...only precisions tools for my R/C planes)...

So first thing first i give you here my shopping list and costs... I hope it will be useful for anyone in the same situation as me...

Do not hesitate to give me your comments/advice/critics etc...

Long live The Samba and the VW lovers...Cheers...
Raspa...

HARBOR FREIGHT

- Air Angle grinder 4" (Central Pneumatic) : 30$
- Air Drill : 15$
- Air blow gun : 5$
- Air quick connectors :4$
- Air oil&water filter : 6$
- Pencil torch : 5$
- Mallet : 1.5$
- Mallet : 4$
- Goggles : 4$
- Maint free disposable respirator : 15$
- Portable sandblaster : 30$
- Paint Strainer pack of 100 : 5$
- Weldind gloves (I didn't buy the cheapest... When it comes to safety I'm willing to spend a little bit more than the "first price") : 10$
- Drill bits : 8$
- Mini air gauge : 7$
- Cut off wheel (a bunch ) 8$
- Rust abrasive wheel : 4$
- Wet sand paper : 2.5$
- Re-usable : Air plugs : 2$
- Clamp pliers (5") x2 : 6.5$
- Tool box : 23$
- 40" creep : 25$

EBAY
- Campbell Hausfeld 26 gallons used. Rated 6.8 CFM@90 PSI : 200$ ... It also came with two air hose / spare oil / and water high pressure gun...
- 3xHVLP gravity paint guns kit : 1x1.8mm (primer) + 1x1.4mm (paint and clear) + 1x1.0mm (detailing) (also coming with : mini air gauge/air&oil filter/spay gun stand) : 80$ (shipped)

WALMART
- 500 Watt work halogen lamp x2 : 10$
- Masking paper large : 7$
- Extension cord : 1x25' + 1x50' : 10$. Those cost a fortune at Harbor or Home Depot ! I don't know why. The one i bought here are rated for a good bunch of amps... This is all I need for the halogen or the compressor...

HOME DEPOT :
- Masking tape : 3M x 4pcs two different size : 10.50$ ... I didn't try to save money on this one. When it comes to masking tape I want a good brand... I had bad experiences while painting walls and using cheap masking tape... Once it's dried good luck with getting rid of those... or worse the glue is crap quality so paint dripps where you don't want it...
- Energizer forehead LED lamp (85 lumens) : 18$ ... Argggh this is expensive :-( ... But same story when working beneath the bus I want a good amount of light...
- 6 pkg 100% coton rags : 3$
- 10x20' plastic 1mm protective sheets x2 : 5.5$
- Butane filler for pencil torch : 1$
- Acid solder : 11$ for small holes repair...
- Sanding disk : 80/120/200 grit 3pkgx4 units ea. : 12$
- Orbit random sander with variable speed 5" : 45$... I was lucky enough to find a used one at HD. Why electric ? because I wanted a DA sander but my compressor can't hold an air one..

QUOTE (not yet acquired) :
- Paint : I'll have my bus painted two tones : beige and burgundy with a clear coat finish : PPG paint from my local car paint shop including : Primer filler / primer (2 layers / Hardener / Reducer / Beige paint / Burgundy paint (2 layers each) / Clear coat : 280$
- Rocker patch panel rihgt side : 30$

This is where I am so far...

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Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:38 am

Looks like you are well on your way to do body work. From the add it looks like you have some rust repair on your hands. Although the bus looks pretty good mechanically make sure you pick up a good set of metric box end wrenches and sockets, a variety of screw drivers, feeler gauge, but most importantly a Bently service manual and my personal favorite the John Muir How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive manual. Good luck and welcome my French friend.

Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:48 am

buy a tool kit wiyh all the metric wrenches to keep together, and make a list of what wrenches do what task

1) bleed brakes: 7 mm box wrench

then buy one of the wrenches for specific tasks and keep them in the bus.

if you work on something keep the tools you used in the bus, you may need to tighten things a little more than you thought

Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:58 am

dont use disposable respirators- that paint has lead in it. if you sand without Hepa filter protection, the lead is going to poison you and make you stoopid, like me... see? i cant even spell stoopid right, not even on the second try :lol:

i put the laughy emoticon in there cuz i am trying to be funny, but this is no laughing matter. autobody work requires protection from chemicals. when it comes to painting you will need even more extreme protection- a hood with air pumped into it from 100 feet away upwind.

when spraying a car,you cannot depend on organic vapor cartridges to catch all the toxins. the concentrations are just too high. also the eyes must be protected from the spray mist. a hood is the only good way to go.

consider that the chemicals in the paint cause brain damage and cancer. you cant just go back later and right the wrong. in that regard, it is unlike other things in life- mess up the paint job, you can always paint it again. mess up your brain and you are stuck with it forever.

Sun Mar 07, 2010 11:09 am

Not a bad bus for the South. :wink: Did you get it complete as stated in the ad?
Sounds as if you are well on your way in the body and paint dept.
Tools...If nothing else, buy a set of Sears Craftsmen hand tools. They are warrantied for life, and are good quality. Don't forget the 46mm socket for the rear axle nut. There are numerous special tools you can pick up as needed.
Welcome to the states! :D Where in France are you from? I lived in the Biarritz in the early 80's, loved it. Will say, I loved Paris, got to visit many locales that my parents frequented in the late 40's/early 50's, but I was knifed on a le metro platform and never wanted see Paris again. This happened on a third trip to France in the late 80's for a wedding. Sorry for the digression. :oops:

Sun Mar 07, 2010 11:27 am

Welcome from France. Do you like Jerry Lewis? :wink: :bay_red:

Sun Mar 07, 2010 11:44 am

I know you are focused on getting it painted but you might want to buy a couple engine tuning tools to keep it running in the future such as a dwell meter and timing light.

Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:34 pm

Make sure your Campbell rates for what tools you want to use. Also be sure you put a new drain chock valve in the bottom since it's used, no telling how the tank may be rusted in the bottom if the previous owner didn't drain it out after each use, or at least every other use. They're great compressors if you take care of them and don't use overated tools for the particular model. The upright models are nice, they dont take up the room that the horizontal units do.
I personally would address all mechanical issues first. Engine. Brakes, electrical wiring inclusive of lights, wipers, turn signals, horn, suspension, shocks, front end, trans, axel shafts, ease of shiftablilty condition, from everything from the shifter to the trans coupling. Everything that makes it a safe Bus to drive on the road. As suggested, a nice timing light, dwell/tach meter, and a bountiful assortment of metric tools, feeler gauges, and the all important Green Bentley manual would be in order.

Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:00 pm

peaceful warrior wrote: Will say, I loved Paris, got to visit many locales that my parents frequented in the late 40's/early 50's, but I was knifed on a le metro platform and never wanted see Paris again. This happened on a third trip to France in the late 80's for a wedding. Sorry for the digression. :oops: Welcome to the Samb Respa! It sound's like you are on your way with that 71 bus (my favorite year)
The last time I was in Paris I didn't get knifed on the Metro but I did have a guy try to lift my wallet. Boy was he suprised when I turned around and grabbed he by the wrist. :shock:

Sun Mar 07, 2010 2:51 pm

MattFoley wrote: Looks like you are well on your way to do body work. From the add it looks like you have some rust repair on your hands. Although the bus looks pretty good mechanically make sure you pick up a good set of metric box end wrenches and sockets, a variety of screw drivers, feeler gauge, but most importantly a Bently service manual and my personal favorite the John Muir How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive manual. Good luck and welcome my French friend.

Hi Matt,

Thank you for the warm welcoming message...
I bought the bentley service manual a few days ago... I just forgot to mention it...
It's currently on its way from Amazon...
I've seen the John Muir's manual at my local Border's library... I fe lt it was more specific to the beetle... But according to your advice I'll buy one...

Yes I have to deal with some rust... Starring : right side rocker panel is toast / The roof and especially the right side rain gutter is in pretty bade shape... Front side of the right back archwheel is to be replaced / Beneath driver door needs a good job / Passenger floor : no big deal / Also starring : the famous battery tray... RIP... Cargo floor : two or three 2" holes...

I will keep you informed...

A bientot (see you later in french) :D

Raspa

Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:02 pm

peaceful warrior wrote: Not a bad bus for the South. :wink: Did you get it complete as stated in the ad?
Sounds as if you are well on your way in the body and paint dept.
Tools...If nothing else, buy a set of Sears Craftsmen hand tools. They are warrantied for life, and are good quality. Don't forget the 46mm socket for the rear axle nut. There are numerous special tools you can pick up as needed.
Welcome to the states! :D Where in France are you from? I lived in the Biarritz in the early 80's, loved it. Will say, I loved Paris, got to visit many locales that my parents frequented in the late 40's/early 50's, but I was knifed on a le metro platform and never wanted see Paris again. This happened on a third trip to France in the late 80's for a wedding. Sorry for the digression. :oops:

Hi peaceful,
Thanks... Well I've tried a bunch of buses around here but not near as good as this one... Some you could feel the lack of compression just riding them... Some beautiful but much too expensive for my budget...
In France my family and I were living in Paris... Sorry for what happened to you... That's one of the reason we decided to leave Paris... A very beautiful city to visit but much too crowdy/crazy/polluted/dangerous/expensive... you name it... Sorry for the digression too... Thank you for the tools recommendation...

To be continued

Cheers
Raspa

Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:03 pm

Looks like you should get a really nice example when you're all done there. Those colors will be interesting... personally I like the green though.

Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:07 pm

calebmelvin wrote: I know you are focused on getting it painted but you might want to buy a couple engine tuning tools to keep it running in the future such as a dwell meter and timing light.

Hi Caleb,
Dwell meter : I have no clue of what you're talking :D ... But i'll dig on it... Google is my friend...
Timing light : i have a vague idea since we also use timing light in the R/C plane engines area...

Thanks Caleb...

See you
Raspa

Sun Mar 07, 2010 3:49 pm

Your motor has points in the distributor which open and close to make spark to the spark plugs. These points have a gap which needs to be correctly set. A dwell meter measures this gap so you can correctly set it... (the procedure is outlined in the Muir book pretty well)

Sun Mar 07, 2010 4:56 pm

Hey Raspa, I have the twin to your bus. My first bus was green and white as is one of my 4 that I have currently. Oh and they are all 71. It is a great year for a bus.

Sun Mar 07, 2010 7:26 pm

Jody '71 wrote: Make sure your Campbell rates for what tools you want to use. Also be sure you put a new drain chock valve in the bottom since it's used, no telling how the tank may be rusted in the bottom if the previous owner didn't drain it out after each use, or at least every other use. They're great compressors if you take care of them and don't use overated tools for the particular model. The upright models are nice, they dont take up the room that the horizontal units do.
I personally would address all mechanical issues first. Engine. Brakes, electrical wiring inclusive of lights, wipers, turn signals, horn, suspension, shocks, front end, trans, axel shafts, ease of shiftablilty condition, from everything from the shifter to the trans coupling. Everything that makes it a safe Bus to drive on the road. As suggested, a nice timing light, dwell/tach meter, and a bountiful assortment of metric tools, feeler gauges, and the all important Green Bentley manual would be in order.

Hi Jody,

With the air tools that's what i did so far... that's why i was obliged to buy an electric DA sander...
Thank you for all the good advice... I will do my best to follow them ...

Cheers

J.

Sun Mar 07, 2010 8:32 pm

Hi people,
Thank you so much for your welcoming messages and support...
Here are a few pictures of the spots I'll have to work on...

Right side rocker panel

[/img]

Roof and rain gutter

[img]
[/img]

Cargo floor kind of patch panel installed by the previous-previous owner

[img]

[/img]

Driver door

[img]

and a few more... :) [/img]

Sun Mar 07, 2010 9:33 pm

If you got this sandblaster from Harbor Freight

Take it back and pick up this one instead.

The first one has a metal tip that will wear out very quickly, but the second one has a ceramic tip that is much more robust.

Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:25 pm

Mountain Minstrel wrote: If you got this sandblaster from Harbor Freight
Take it back and pick up this one instead.
The first one has a metal tip that will wear out very quickly, but the second one has a ceramic tip that is much more robust.

Hi MM,

I bought the barrel shape one... I thought that for a little difference bucks it would be better to have a larger tank...

By the way do you have any experience with it ? Which media did you use ? : oxyde ? chestnut ? soda ? I have a vw lover friend in France who restored two beetles from top to bottom who simply used average sand from the gardener shop... He just strained the sand to do the trick... What would you recommend ?

Thanks

Raspa

Mon Mar 08, 2010 12:26 am

I think you are going to need a welder.