Westfalia Woodwork refinishing

wesleykonrad · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:18 pm Post subject: Westfalia Woodwork refinishing

Hi,

Just got a 1979 Westfalia last fall (check out pictures at http://wes-falia.blogspot.com). Woo Hoo!

I am debating weather to take out the woodwork and refinish it to the natural plywood under the veneer. Has anyone done this? I am worried about how it will look. If anyone has done this, I would love to see some pictures.

steponmebbbboom · Samba Member Joined: May 01, 2004 Posts: 6390

just discussed:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=158769

please use the search

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php

Homey '71 · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:03 pm Post subject:

Your interior looks pretty nice as it is. If you really want it lighter, you should plan to re-laminate it. The plywood underneath may be difficult to refinish as the glue from the original laminate may have soaked in to some spots but not others. I also noticed that the wood under a friends late 70's westy has a greenish hue, as though they used poplar as their base material instead of birch like the earlier models...don't quote me on that though. FYI, i had my interior out recently and covered the floor and walls with edead v1 sound deadening material ($100/ 120sq feet on ebay). It makes a big difference, might as well take care of that too if you think your bus is too loud on the highway. Very Happy

westy78 · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:26 pm Post subject:

Hi Wesley, welcome to the forum. Eric, A.K.A. EZ Gruv has done exactly what you are debating to do to your cabinets. Personaly I think it looks great. It would especially look good on a Mexico Beige Westy like yours with the brown plaid. Here is a picture of Erics interior. He has better shots somewhere but I couldn't find them. Throw him a PM and I'm sure he'll give you the 411.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

You can also find very close matches to the original laminate. I have had some of my cabinet doors and the sink cover relaminated on mine. I used Formica brand #117 Colonial Cherry laminate.

_________________
Jasan C.
'78 Westy

VW Campmobile, it goes on vacation with you.

mattg · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject:

I removed the laminate and then stained the cabinets which worked fine -I used a dark stain that was slightly darker than the orginal color - gave an antique look and some of the areas that were less than perfect turned out nicely and gave the cabinets a little character - I will try to post a few pics. I also modified the main cabinet behind the driver and took out the sink because I do not use it. I then put a piece of nice wood and made a countertop to match the orginal cabinets. It is not orginal now but I have a little more room when camping - also it gave me room to keep my spare tire which I took off the front directy behind the drivers seat - 77 westy 2.0 FI

jeremysmithatshawdotca · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject:

Matt, how did you remove the laminate? When I did this, some parts of it were stuck on so well that it peeled up the first layer of plywood as well! If I were to do it again, I'd just peel away the loose bits of veneer, use bondo to level those areas to the remaining veneer, sand it all over, and reveneer it. A lot easier, a lot less time consuming, and it would look just as good.

Jeremy

MalibuLX3 · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:29 pm Post subject:

Randy in Maine · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:32 pm Post subject:

I think we all ought to go over to EZGruv's house and hang out while he makes us all new baltic birch westy furniture. Shocked

What happens in vegas stays in vegas you know. Razz

EZ Gruv · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:25 pm Post subject:

EZ Gruv · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:28 pm Post subject:

Just one from the gallery....more to come.
_________________
Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page.

EZ Gruv · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:32 pm Post subject:

EZ Gruv · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:52 pm Post subject:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

During:
I call this one "Formica is for Suckas" Razz

So basically, I removed the veneer, sanded down the next layer of plywood. Then stained the plywood with Minwax Pickled Oak, the 2 coats of Minwax Polycrylic clearcoat.

Im not going to say it was easy, but I loved it! I love the way it turned out.
_________________
Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page.

poptop tom · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:28 pm Post subject:

Looks sweet Gruv! What's the big rectangular green plaid
deal in the back? Confused

_________________
'76 Deluxe Campmobile

EZ Gruv · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:30 pm Post subject:

That would be my two 15" speakers (in a speakerbox). I like my music loud! Cool

_________________
Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page.

poptop tom · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:36 pm Post subject:

wesleykonrad · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:52 pm Post subject:

Thanks a ton EZ Gruv

This is definitely the goal I will move towards.

I would love to see mattg's photos as well so I get a sense of how to stain it.

wesleykonrad · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:57 pm Post subject:

Yes Homey 71, the interior is in fantastic shape. One of the main reasons for the debate has to do with look as the wood is already in great shape.

EZ Gruv · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 10:07 pm Post subject:

I put up some more interior pics here:

http://members.cox.net/ezgruv/mybus.htm
_________________
Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page.

jeremysmithatshawdotca · Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 11:40 am Post subject:

That looks good EZ, and good idea on the iron, I didn't think of that. I peeled mine off with scrapers, and I tried some of the chemical strippers, but they didn't work. After I relevelled the surface that was left, I used birch veneer, (applied with an iron!) but I stained it dark green with an alcohol stain. To balance out the darkness of the furniture I sanded all the interior headliner, and made panels out of birch for the doors, etc., and put a couple coats of clear on them. I also made a new counter top, and a table top with green formica, and a strip of birch around the edge.

Jeremy

Remo · Samba Member Joined: February 16, 2008 Posts: 17

Am needing to replace laminate doors covers. Taking off seems straight forward with the 30 second use of an iron.

RE putting the new stuff on, is there a name to laminate colour used for Westies, just so I know what to ask for in the hardware store.

How easy is it to put on, measure up, cut and use a wood glue to fit on?


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