My restoration project, a 1971 Westfalia. Still learning.

[ateneo]

[ateneo]

I have been struggling to bend metal sheet and I just figured that it would be best for me to just make a bender using simple metal bars. I went to a local metal hardware and bought a few feet of "L" shaped metal bars and two door hinges. After welding them together, I figured this home-made bender would help me speed up my work a little bit.

I also went to Wolfsburg West this morning and bought the front driver side JackOutlet. I hope to weld that in this coming Friday.

_________________
1966 Riviera camper Bus
1967 EZ camper bus
1971 Westfalia bus
1971 Deluxe bus
1969 Bus
1962 Bug
1963 Bug
"Rust free" means Rust is FREE. The rest is junk.

[Spike0180]

[ateneo]

I did some work this weekend on the bus. The progress is really slow but at least there is progress. The metal bender contraption I created made things easier for me.

I am using my other 1971 Deluxe as a template to do my measurements.

_________________
1966 Riviera camper Bus
1967 EZ camper bus
1971 Westfalia bus
1971 Deluxe bus
1969 Bus
1962 Bug
1963 Bug
"Rust free" means Rust is FREE. The rest is junk.

[camit34]

Nice work!

Fingers crossed mine will not be this rusted once I get into it...

[ateneo]

[ateneo]

This weekend, I welded the inner rocker & also started working on creating the bottom part of the rear pillar. I used paper to create a model before cutting sheet metal.

It is so hard to work on my bus when the summer temperature is hitting mid-90's. It feels like it is a 100 degrees today even though it is just mid-90s.

_________________
1966 Riviera camper Bus
1967 EZ camper bus
1971 Westfalia bus
1971 Deluxe bus
1969 Bus
1962 Bug
1963 Bug
"Rust free" means Rust is FREE. The rest is junk.

[ateneo]

I decided to slow down a bit on installing the rockers on my Westy because while I was putting together the rear pillar, I forgot a very important detail when doing the pillar--alignment. I had to re-do the pillar just to make sure it lines up with the panel.

I had to coat part of the pillar with a black colored paint that the auto body store claims it prevents rust.

I was reading about the spot-welders being the ideal tool to use when installing the rocker panel. Even though spot welders are the preferred tool to use, I am working on a limited budget that does not allow me to buy additional tools. Hence, I just have to use the plug-weld method.

_________________
1966 Riviera camper Bus
1967 EZ camper bus
1971 Westfalia bus
1971 Deluxe bus
1969 Bus
1962 Bug
1963 Bug
"Rust free" means Rust is FREE. The rest is junk.

[Hikelite]

Thanks for sharing so much detail. Very inspiring for sure. Like many others, I'm starting to restore my Bus and the largest/scariest project is the rust remediation.

My rust is not as extensive though. None in body panels. Only the rear cargo and the front floor has damage. The rest seems solid. I guess I'm lucky since my weld areas will not be visible. Good thing since I only have a stick welder. I am reluctant to buy a MIG welder if I can make due with what I have. Also, my wife and I plan to move into the Bus after it's restored, so it would be another tool I have to sell or store.

Thanks again for this thread. I've learned a LOT from you.
_________________
~Kevin

My 1968 Campmobile

[ateneo]

I took a day off today just to work on my 71 Westy.

This morning, I am faced with two options when I was about to install the short rocker next to the rare wheel well. First option is to cut the body to fit the rocker panel; Second option is to cut the rocker panel to fit to the body. Though cutting the body to weld the panel is the easier choice, I prefer to keep as much original metal on the bus.

Remember the rule: Measure twice, cut once? Well, I should have followed that rule because when I cut the panel, I made two trace lines with a pencil on where I will do the cut. I should have double check because, to my horror, I cut on the wrong pencil trace line. I had to weld a tiny piece to patch up my error. Darn!

I had to coat this area with an anti-rust paint. Hopefully the paint product's claim is true.

I just welded the panel and added a small 1 1/2 inch piece of metal patch on top of the panel to complete my work on that area.

_________________
1966 Riviera camper Bus
1967 EZ camper bus
1971 Westfalia bus
1971 Deluxe bus
1969 Bus
1962 Bug
1963 Bug
"Rust free" means Rust is FREE. The rest is junk.

[ateneo]

[ateneo]

I spent a few hours yesterday working on the rocker panel of my 1971 Westy. Cutting metal is the easy part of the restoration work. But aligning, adjusting and making all the parts look just right is the hard part. I don't even know if I am doing it right but at least I tried my best. Numerous little bits of grinding here & bending there burns a lot of the time. Before I know it, it is almost sunset and it is time for me to cook dinner.

_________________
1966 Riviera camper Bus
1967 EZ camper bus
1971 Westfalia bus
1971 Deluxe bus
1969 Bus
1962 Bug
1963 Bug
"Rust free" means Rust is FREE. The rest is junk.

[ateneo]

I did some work on my 71 Westy during labor day holiday yesterday.

_________________
1966 Riviera camper Bus
1967 EZ camper bus
1971 Westfalia bus
1971 Deluxe bus
1969 Bus
1962 Bug
1963 Bug
"Rust free" means Rust is FREE. The rest is junk.

[notchboy]

Knowing when to stop - come back later with a clear head is still something I fight with to this day. Having that insight will only yield a better product in the end

Good on you.
_________________

[TomWesty]

It's cool seeing how much you have learned and improved since you began.
_________________
If you haven't bled on them, you haven't worked on them.
Visit: www.tomcoryell.com and check out my music!

[ateneo]

[ateneo]

[busdaddy]

That's looking great, nice work! And good for you not rushing it and taking the time to do it right the first time.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!

[wcfvw69]

Give yourself LOTS of pats on the backs. You've taken on a BIG challenge that takes ton's of mental fortitude to continue forward with. Many folks get that deep into a restoration and then sell it all torn apart when they burn out.

As Notch stated, knowing when to walk away to breathe and recharge your batteries is a good thing.

Keep up the good work.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

[ateneo]

busdaddy wrote:

That's looking great, nice work! And good for you not rushing it and taking the time to do it right the first time.

Thanks, busdaddy

There must have been a few thousand times when I would stop and ask myself, [i]"Am I doing this right? Is there a better way to do this? Why can't I find a replacement part for this section of the bus? How can I fabricate this weird section that was eaten by rust?..."

I am trying my best not to rush through this restoration because I had made terrible mistakes during the early months of this project. But sometimes it becomes a challenge when I see other guys with their pristine looking buses drive through my street trying to show off. They would purposely rev up their engines while passing through my house as if asking me, "When are you going to be done repairing that rust bucket?". [/b] Jerks!
_________________
1966 Riviera camper Bus
1967 EZ camper bus
1971 Westfalia bus
1971 Deluxe bus
1969 Bus
1962 Bug
1963 Bug
"Rust free" means Rust is FREE. The rest is junk.