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Thu Nov 18, 2004 3:37 pm

Hello everyone,
I am new to VW restoration, and new to this website so bear with me and teach me the ropes. I bought a 72 bug from a guy about a year ago, as a daily driver for myself. He had just put a new engine in it and had the interior all torn out for restoration, but was forced to sell. I love driving the car, and my first car was actually a 68 beetle that my dad and I pieced together and got running. I'm now looking at the car with the attitude that I would like to complete the restoration, but looking for tips and ideas on where to start, etc. Any general ideas or useful tips on a restoration project would be helpful. Thanks in advance and I look forward to sharing ideas with everyone.

Thu Nov 18, 2004 3:58 pm

I'll get used to this.

Lets try one problem first.
The car has no carpet and no insulation installed. there are some places where water gets up through the floorpan, the original owner drilled a couple of holes it appears, because one of the windows was leaking. I plugged those and temporarily sealed the windows ( I plan on getting new seals when I do the headliner)

I have a carpet kit...should I install it? Is there any reason I should wait, or anything else I need to consider before I install the carpet.

Thanks

Thu Nov 18, 2004 4:15 pm

Well, I'm a Super Beetle guy (fairly new to VWs myself) but I'll see if I can help. I believe there is an insulation you put down before the carpet, something referred to as tarboards. These panels (mine had 4) damp out road noise, etc. You could also paint the metal floorpans to prevent future rust. I'm no expert (I restored Corvettes for a living, not bugs) but I hope this helps.

Thu Nov 18, 2004 5:10 pm

Go through old copies of VW Trends. Back a couple of months ago they covered adding insulation to a bug udring restoring it that cuts the noise down greatly!

Good Luck,
Matt

Thu Nov 18, 2004 5:44 pm

I like to do restorations in this order. paint, then headliner,window seals, trim, interior.

Fri Nov 19, 2004 7:32 am

only reason i can see not to put in a nice new carpet kit is-owner drilled holes so water drains...... might have to keep gluing it down if water keeps loosening the bond from between floor and carpet or even floor to sound deadener and nice new carpet. maybe some of that stuff used to water proof canvas tents can slow it down-- welcome to samba..

Fri Nov 19, 2004 9:24 am

TimGud wrote: I like to do restorations in this order. paint, then headliner,window seals, trim, interior.

Safety items first: Brakes, lights, brake lights :) Then mechanical issues. Get all that stuff working first, then follow Tim's steps.

Fri Nov 19, 2004 2:20 pm

Thank you for all of your input.

One of the things I don't think I mentioned is that I need to try and do the restoration with as limited "down-time" as I can. During the colder months when I can't be on my motorcycle, the bug is my primary vehicle.

Is it even logical for me to attempt a restoration while I am trying to use the vehicle?

As far as the holes in th floorpan that the previous owner drilled, I would plan on sealing them somehow before installing the carpet. I ordered the kit from Jbugs, and also ordered the "tar-type" insulation that someone mentioned. If I put those things in, will I regret it later when I try to do another step of the restoration?