TheSamba.com :: View topic - Am I crazy? *update* 11/4/04 Im all done!

Sat Aug 28, 2004 3:06 pm

I have a 57 oval with some serious rust issues. Both channels are gone, door pillars are gone, inner fenders wells, and rear skin aft of the door needs replaced. Pretty much everything touching the channels needs to be replaced. Lets not forget the pans.

I ordered the Bug Me video and watched it about 15 times. It goes into pretty good detail about replacing the channels and other parts. I am planning on doing these things myself. I have no body work exp, BUT I am having a good friend help me that is good w/ bodywork ie: welding etc.. But he has never worked on VWs. I think I have pretty good common sense and things come pretty easily to me.

All the panels are in and I start work on the rust repair next weekend. Am I biting off more then I can chew? After watching the videos I feel very confident I can do this repair.

Thoughts?

Sat Aug 28, 2004 3:27 pm

You can do it. Take your time. It only becomes "rocket science" if you go too fast. Yell for help if you feel you're losing control. Lots of people in here will help you out. Good Luck. :wink:

Sat Aug 28, 2004 3:35 pm

i'm in the same position.

56 oval, bottom 2"s rusted all around. i know i could easily get a rust free car and start w/ a cleaner slate. but my take on it is that i want to do a majority of the work myself and also learn how to weld/cut & fit panels/hammer & dolly/mix filler/apply filler/sand filler/spray primer/spray paint/set suspension/narrow beam/build tranny/build engine/do wiring.......you get the picture. i allready know how to do some of these things and will improve my skills and learn others along the way.

i'm in it for the long haul.

it is important to look at the project in stages, rather than being consumed with the whole work load. also, ask as many questions as possible and do not continue with something if you are unsure of how to do it. be prepared to spend alot of time on the project and dont expect immediate results. the accomplishments will come. be prepared to spend alot of money.

these are just a few of the facts that i have come to terms with.

anything is possible. if you set your mind to it, you can do it.

keep your chin up, a logical head on your shoulders, and good luck. :wink:

Thu Sep 02, 2004 12:58 pm

Save the Oval! You can do it.....we need more ovals on the east coast. shoot we need more vw's on the east coast.

Fri Sep 03, 2004 6:30 am

Well I started the work today. Removed all the interior, engine, and 90% of the body bolts.

The heater channels are only attatched in a few spots by a few spot welds. Damn rust! :shock:

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Sat Sep 04, 2004 6:06 am

Take pictures of your progress, i don't know if you did a before and after but, this helps with you confidence. Once you see it when it was a mess then you see it cut out and better, and then you see finished product. This will put a smile on your face cause you know you did it. Plus you should post pics here too. Always like to see other peoples work cause it'll kick start my lazy butt. Good Luck!

Sat Sep 04, 2004 4:53 pm

It's not that bad steve, just some surface rust. :lol: :lol:

Sat Sep 04, 2004 5:23 pm

my65vert wrote: It's not that bad steve, just some surface rust. :lol: :lol:

Hardcore man, seriously Hardcore. See ya at Sonics.

Sun Sep 05, 2004 1:57 am

HotRodedXXX wrote:

LoL :lol: Funny...........It looks like its goin into a seizure

Sat Sep 11, 2004 9:24 pm

Here are some pics of the progress I am making on my oval. I have the old channels cut out and the new ones set into place. Things are coming along.

Shitloads of rust. :shock:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=HotRodedXXX

Sun Sep 19, 2004 9:33 pm

Keep up the good work you guys! I was in the same place a few years ago, and now I'm driving my oval every day.

I had to replace my heater channels, door bottoms, trunk floor, front & rear aprons, engine bay inner panels, all 8 corners of my fenders, and patches around all the windows. It was good practice!

-Paul

Mon Sep 20, 2004 11:07 am

Same here, my 56 needed all that too, such fun! It's worth it in the end though. It's a fine learning experience as well, because eventually the rust wont scare you as much.

Wed Sep 22, 2004 8:29 am

yes, you are crazy.
but not for that reason
:lol:

Mon Oct 18, 2004 8:57 am

Its gettin there!

Got all the major rust cut out and new panels tacked in. Doors shut fine and looks like its downhill from here! Check my gallery for more pics.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=HotRodedXXX

Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:45 am

Thats great youre doing all that yourself. Well, with the help of your friend. You save alot of money that way and youre going to feel pride about the work. Like what everyone says, take your time and it should be nice at the end..

Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:13 am

Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:35 am

har har har.

There are only 2 types of channels I found on the web. These, and super beetle channels. Are you suggesting I should graft in some SB parts? :shock:

Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:40 am

It's looking fine, keep up the good work! :)

Mon Oct 18, 2004 12:25 pm

Thu Nov 04, 2004 1:44 pm

Ok so here she is, and done!

That was a fuggin job. But Im really glad that I did it. Im happy that I took a total shitbox and made it into a solid daily driver. I did the spraypaint thing because anything is better then that dog ass brown that was on it!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=HotRodedXXX