TheSamba.com :: View topic - '69 Rusty Westy--Cosmetic Info.

Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:04 pm

I have a major task on my hands with this bus. It needs a complete overhaul of the engine and body. I am taking the interior upholstery out (what is still left) and need to get that replaced. Also, I need some tips on paint and body restoration because a previous owner used Bondo like it was going out of style and now it is coming off. Are there any cheap body repair options here? I have a reputable service book on my bus, written by some guy like 25 years ago. It is really detailed and helpful, I need some cosmetic info. Can anyone help me?

Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:16 pm

Before you can really do anything, the two BIG questions you need to ask yourself are:
How much mu-lah ($$$) are you willing to spend on this project?
and
How much Time / work are are you capable of putting into this?

lot's of money = body shop for blasting all that crap off and new paint

little money = invest in a grinder to eat all that bondo off. then, consider using something other than bondo (por 15 has some good stuff) to fill those dents back up.

answer those big questions so and you'll know your limitations
Hope that helps a bit

Tue Feb 24, 2004 9:37 pm

I am a college kid...Need I say more....Your info did help me though. Thanks so much....God Bless

Tue Feb 24, 2004 11:31 pm

Hey man i hear ya on the money issue...
So here is a summery of how I did a "Ghetto body job" for $70.

for a quick temporary fix. grind all the problem areas out with the wire wheel... that included all rust and all cracking bondo.

If you have any through rust, grind it down to bare metal around the area, and get some stuff called metal epoxy putty. it comes with little screens and you use the putty to hold the screen onto the edges of the hole to cover the hole up. (Make sure you treat bare metal with rust preventative)

that way you form a surface to put fresh body fill over the hole... it won't look great but it's better then a hole!

These are the absolute no no's of body repair but here are the advantages. You can find all this stuff at those chain auto stores, h*me dep*t and w*l-m*rt and it won't cost you much more than your time. $50-$70 not including the grinder)

you can also spray paint primer and top coat paint for real cheap... again we are talking cheap as it gets for a solution that will last a year or two. It's a good way to stall for time if you want to use your project while saving money though.
best of luck