TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Nov 25, 2003 8:23 pm

Hey, I'm only 15 but me and my dad purchased and '64 bug about 6 months ago. I was learning to drive in it but did want to restore it and get new rubber for the car. Not to long ago we ordered rubber for the vent wondows and new side pannels for the front and back. Well, when we took the old side pannels off we discovered that the outside wasn't the same color as the inside. I know it doesn't matter but I do want to get it as close to the original as I can get. I am already saving up money for more window rubber and body seals, new chrome trim, and interior items. But what would be an estimate on the price of getting it stripped down and painted with the original white? I know it varied from place to place but in what price rang do you think it would be? And if you have any suggestions on what I should do please let me know.

Wed Nov 26, 2003 8:00 am

Oh and I would also like to know where I could buy a new rear deck lid. If you could answer those to questions I would appreciate it a lot.

Wed Nov 26, 2003 10:22 am

The cost of paint & bodywork depends on how much time and effort you want to devote. I am having work done for me. I am not a body guy. I am paying $35.00 hr. plus the cost of materials. I am investing several thousands of $'s But when he is done I fully expect a show winning paint job. However, I fully enjoy doing as much work as possible. I have painted in the past and have been able to get away with stripping down a VW and spraying it for $250.00. It was fun and the job I did looked good from 50 feet :D . I think it would be a great Father/Son project if you have the proper space to do it. Maaco does alright work. By the way, The Ghia that is being professionally repainted is the same Ghia I painted in H.S. back in 1977 for $250.00 :!: :D Figure how much you can really spend and if you want do do it or someone else to do it for you. It is almost always going to be more expensive to have it done. Another thought; Does your school offer an auto body class. If so maybe it can be used for a project :?:

Wed Nov 26, 2003 9:57 pm

The best advice that i can give you for your project (no matter what your doing to it) is to take your time. If you have to have your ride for something at a certain time, don't start a project that you have to rush through to get done, just save it for when your sure that you'll have enough time to complete it right.

Sat Feb 07, 2004 6:35 am

Use this, and any other VW sites you can for reference on things. As with all projects, and this will happen, if you ever can't figure something out, or you know how to, but for somereason, its not working. Take time. Go do something else for about a half hour. Then before you go back, think about what needs to be done. Clear your head and then go back to it.

By the time you are done with your project, you will have learned so much.

#1 rule... HAVE FUN WITH IT

Sat Feb 07, 2004 11:29 am

As mentioned earlier in the post; paint can range from cost of materials and your labor, to in upwards of 12 grand. Some of the Riddler award cars in the Rod and Custom scene have paint that exceeds 50 grand. Most of the cost in a new finish is labor and who is doing it. Prices range from shop to shop and depending on their specialty. If you're looking for a long lasting paint job, put some money into it. It will pay off not to cut corners. A paint job that runs between $3000 - $6000 should be really good. And in the VW scene possibly pull some awards at shows. It would be seen as a "low end" paint job in the Custom scene and probably picked to death.

If you end up doing it yourself, there are a lot of pitfalls to overcome that your local paint supply shop can help you prepare for. Ask many, many questions. Remember rust is your enemy! Am I'm not talking about the cancer looing stuff that flakes off. I'm referring to the almost invisible rust that starts as soon as the metal is exposed to air. This can ruin a finish in a few years because the paint doesn't seal the metal off from air, it actually breaths for a long time allowing the solvents to escape. If there is any rust beneath the surface it will eventually grow and cause the finsh to bubble up and flake off.

These forums are a great place to start. Talk to your paint shop and let them know your intentions and level of experience. If it's a good shop, they'll walk you through the process. Body shops are usually not the place to go wor this info as this is how they make their money.

I get all my supplies at Wesco Auto/Paint Supply.
Good luck and welcome to the battle!