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Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:24 am

All,

I am looking for suggestions on how to best use this site to help with my restoration project. I am itching to get started, just don't know where to begin. Right now I am thinking "What the hell have I gotten myself into"

Specifially

1. Some input on how to get started? Should I start at the front and work backwards, or does it matter.

2. What is the best way to gather input from this site for this project? Start a new build thread, or post specific threads. Such as Front Floor replacement.

Thanks

Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:37 am

hi and welcome. one build thread. post lots of pics! looking forward to watching your project come together. good luck!

Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:03 am

1.start a forum subject for YOUR project.
2. post pictures of what your starting with.
3.take the time to research the many forums and read what others have done. IE.dont ask questions where there is a complete forum on that subject.
4.keep posting pictures as progress is made.

How'd I do? did I miss anyting?

Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:05 am

I start thread and ask for input on where to start.

Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:34 am

I think it would help us if we knew what work needed to be done, and what your budget was.

Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:56 am

What year and model are you working on? Post useful pictures (One good picture is worth a thousand crappy pictures).

Your initial reaction is normal. If I can do it, you can do it, (and I have sort of done it).

The "body work and painting" forum has a lot of specific information about replacing body metal - make sure you search there as well as the "split bus" forum...

Some more to consider:
Do you want to repair it, restore it, and/or customize it?
Is it currently drivable?
Do you want to drive it while you work on it?
What tools, workspace, and skills do you have? Be honest about your skills.

Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:12 pm

Is this going to be a Jersey Look bus?

Not enough of them around.

Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:26 pm

If you're already overwhelmed, don't take it all apart! Get it running and driving, because eventually that's what you'll have to do (right?)

Then you'll have something accomplished, and you can build from there. Little steps will get you to the end faster.

If you get stuck somewhere, then it's not going to seem like, 'damn, I have to redo EVERYTHING'. All you have to do is one thing. Then the next thing.

Motivation + passion will help you finish anything. Money helps. So does some knowledge.

PS I got stuck on my project, so I finished something else. If you force yourself into something, it's not gonna work. Do it because you love it or want to.

Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:03 pm

Good advice ,but too late on the not tear apart comment

Bus is complete, just no brakes, siezed carb, no wiring, rusted floors, and rat and other rodent crap. So I tore it down.

Currently on 4x4, cargo floor out.

I will post pictures later today and start a thread.

Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:09 pm

Major Woody wrote: Is this going to be a Jersey Look bus?

Not enough of them around.

Jersey Look is the repair, restore and customize trifecta - I wouldn't recommend it for a first time bus project.

Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:28 pm

DAGEAR wrote:
I will post pictures later today and start a thread. You already started this thread, LOL. Post some pics and you will get tons of advice on what to do here.

Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:42 pm

DAGEAR wrote: Good advice ,but too late on the not tear apart comment

Bus is complete, just no brakes, siezed carb, no wiring, rusted floors, and rat and other rodent crap. So I tore it down.

Currently on 4x4, cargo floor out.

I will post pictures later today and start a thread.
DOH !

Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:44 pm

Before you do anything, make sure you read the announcement at the top of the forum that addresses 'Frequently asked questions'. That will answer many questions before they are asked.

Good luck.

Ned
'66 Westy ready for paint

Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:10 pm

I am still in the middle of mine, making good progress (although need to get off my butt and update). Go look at some of the rebuild threads and see how others have done it. I noticed that people will follow thread and if you post a question/issue in your thread you will get more then enough responses. Good luck.

link to my rebuild is in my signature if you want to see how I went.

Enjoy!

Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:25 pm

KombiMarc wrote: I am still in the middle of mine, making good progress (although need to get off my butt and update). Go look at some of the rebuild threads and see how others have done it. I noticed that people will follow thread and if you post a question/issue in your thread you will get more then enough responses. Good luck.

link to my rebuild is in my signature if you want to see how I went.

Enjoy!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
There ya go.....just follow this Samba Member exactly how you do it

Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:01 pm

aa390392 wrote:
3.take the time to research the many forums and read what others have done. IE.dont ask questions where there is a complete forum on that subject.

I always love this response. I don't get it. At some point every thread would consist of a new guy introducing himself, posting a few pictures, and then being told to do a search. :roll:

This happens with all popular boards I think. With all due respect to members with a kajillion posts who I'm sure do feel like they have seen it all before, TheSamba.com community should resist the temptation to become a "Just do a search and leave me alone" community.

Just a friendly suggestion. Don't have Kombisutra drag me out to the woods and leave me for dead on his next extraction. Each bus is different. Each owner is different. Each project is different. So what if the guy asks how to troubleshoot a 12 volt coil...again? :D

Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:46 pm

Restored several cars and best advise is blast it or dip it and start from ground 1 and have it apoxie primed.

Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:51 pm

utahdog1971 wrote: aa390392 wrote:
3.take the time to research the many forums and read what others have done. IE.dont ask questions where there is a complete forum on that subject.

I always love this response. I don't get it. At some point every thread would consist of a new guy introducing himself, posting a few pictures, and then being told to do a search. :roll:

This happens with all popular boards I think. With all due respect to members with a kajillion posts who I'm sure do feel like they have seen it all before, TheSamba.com community should resist the temptation to become a "Just do a search and leave me alone" community.

Just a friendly suggestion. Don't have Kombisutra drag me out to the woods and leave me for dead on his next extraction. Each bus is different. Each owner is different. Each project is different. So what if the guy asks how to troubleshoot a 12 volt coil...again? :D

point taking, all Im saying is do some homework, look through the forums, perhaps the answer is right there. I know when I was a new guy, I would get directed to the best forum that fit my needs at the time, and ea. time I actually learned something by doing so. :lol:

Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:33 am

I would suggest to look at what others have done on their build threads too. This has helped me to keep focussed on my build at times when I feel that I am loosing momentum. These are what keep me moving forward with my build.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=492180&highlight=

And, don't be afraid to ask any questions...if it has been asked before the members that know where the answer is will direct you to it, you may have to suffer the pain of a little ridicule, but you will get what you're after.

good luck on your project. Gordo.

Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:39 pm

Just spent 15 months on a '57 panel project. I'd spend and evening or two reading/printing thesamba threads on the next job. Then I'd decide if I could handle it alone or should I look to pay someone local to help or do the job. Then I'd give it a shot....had to redo a lot of stuff but that's a good way to learn!

There are some amazing helpful people on this site. They responded to my emails and PMs within hours and guided me on the right way to do things. And there are equally valuable folks who will gladly and promptly point out what you did wrong. You get both the carrot and the stick, ha!

I've yet to encounter something someone on this site hasn't solved.