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Tue Feb 24, 2004 7:49 pm

Hopefully, this works and you can see the pictures below - if not, please click on the links to see my 74 S.B.

Just got my 74 Super Beetle put back together and on the road -- fresh new paint, new turn signals front & back, new running boards, new chrome trim, and -- my personal favorite, the original VW sport rims (wide 5.5" version) that I had blasted and powdercoated.

The body was in great shape - only a couple of surface rust-spots needed attention. And though many have had bad experiences with them across the nation, I am pleased to say that my local MAACO did a pretty nice job on the paint. I had a couple of minor issues which they corrected immediately. Since they usually tape off the windows/trim, etc. I spent several hours removing the fenders, trim, windows, rubber seals, etc. myself to allow a cleaner paint job. I also chose one of their more "expensive" packages - not the $250.00 job they so often advertise. Before and during the time my car was in their shop, I made it very clear to the manager the "optimistic" and"realistic" results I was expecting. Overall, I'm very happy with the outcome.

What do y'all think?

Sunny and 50 degrees here tomorrow - I can't wait to hit the road!

Take care my VW brothers and sisters!

www.msnusers.com/ClassicVolkswagenClub/shoebox.msnw?Page=1

Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:07 pm

Looks good. You can tell YOU took the time to prep the body before it was painted. Without the prep, good paint looks like crap. That's clean for a maaco paint job.

Tue Feb 24, 2004 9:49 pm

I've often said, a little extra work can make an inexpensive paintjob look like a million bucks. Beautiful job! Is that the original color?

jeffrey

Wed Feb 25, 2004 11:21 am

i'm very impressed, you've just proved that supers look great in blue!

Wed Feb 25, 2004 2:36 pm

This Super Beetle started life out in 1974 as a Sun Bug in metallic gold. Of course, when I bought her in 1997, she was just a shell - no engine, hardly any interior, and covered in several shades of primer. Six months and a bunch of new parts later (fenders, seals, bumpers, carpet, headliner, upholstery - thank you RMMW & JBUGS, and a snappy rebuilt engine) she was once again roadworthy. However, the paint job done at the time (VW Ancona Blue) was a "backyard" effort and never really did the car justice.

History on why I chose this color...

I had a fuel injected 1975 La Grande Super Beetle as a teenager in the original VW Metallic Paint of Ancona Blue - which I'd sold off in 1992 for $300! And ever since, I'd wanted to restore a Super Beetle to resemble that car. So while the paint is an original VW color - it isn't original to this car.

Thanks for the complements!

Thu Feb 26, 2004 10:16 pm

It looks great. I am trying to get my Sun Bettle painted to its orginal color. I am having a hard time trying to get some body to paint it to make it look have way decent. I live in Phoenix and now I am trying to find some body to get rid of the little rust spot near the half moons near the rear window. And I need to get floor pans but don't anybody who can do a good job on that either. Good to see a sun bettle on Samba.

Go Supers.....

Thu Feb 26, 2004 10:17 pm

It looks great. I am trying to get my Sun Bettle painted to its orginal color. I am having a hard time trying to get some body to paint it to make it look have way decent. I live in Phoenix and now I am trying to find some body to get rid of the little rust spot near the half moons near the rear window. And I need to get floor pans but don't anybody who can do a good job on that either. Good to see a sun bettle on Samba.

Go Supers.....

Sat Feb 28, 2004 8:19 pm

looks absolutely amazing...how long did you spend prepping the car prior to the painth booth??

Sun Feb 29, 2004 1:02 pm

Thanks again for the compliments -- much appreciation!

For the prep/removal, I spent about 7-8 hours. This was my first time attempting a project like this so I took my time - and learned as I went. Having a good METRIC socket set (with an extension) and a good set of screwdrivers will make the project go A LOT more quickly.

ALSO -- I'd recommend keeping the parts/hardware together and labeled to help speed the reassembly. Even if you plan on replacing with new - it will help you correctly identify their proper placement.

After having the car towed home (on a flatbed) -- I spent about 12 hours reassembling everything -- taking it extra slow so that I wouldn't scratch the new paint.

I busted my knuckles and scraped my hands/fingers doing all of this -- as well as periodically blurting out a few cuss words -- but, it really was worth it in the end.

Sun Feb 29, 2004 6:11 pm

looks great! Talk about taking time...My Bus project took over two years to finish. Well, not quite finished, I still have some little things to do. I did all paint/bodywork myself and worked on it in my spare time.
Soon I will have another Super project. My old '74 got smashed by a drunk old woman. But all was not lost...my Bro is working on a '75 Super sedan and I donated some good straight panels to him for rust repair.