TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1965 Kombi Rebuild Thread

Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:08 am

Fantastic work. Looks great.

Sun Mar 22, 2015 11:29 am

Just lovely. Well done!

Mon Mar 23, 2015 8:32 pm

Thanks all! Got the steering box/column in......laid the steering wheel and front seat in just to get some "stick time"...:-)

Wife and kids laughed at me...I didn't mind a bit!

On to the color sanding!!

Sat Mar 28, 2015 11:09 pm

Quick question Marc, had you done a bunch of welding prior to this project?

Sun Mar 29, 2015 5:00 am

=D> =D>

Sun Mar 29, 2015 11:37 am

67box wrote: Quick question Marc, had you done a bunch of welding prior to this project?

Nope...in fact bought first welder just for this project. Spent some time "learning" on scrap metal before jumping off the ledge.

Few lessons I learned that might help others contemplating rust repair:
1. Make sure your welder has shielded gas/bottle setup. makes cleaner welds and you'll catch less stuff in your garage on fire, lol, trust me.
2. Don't measure twice cut once, measure 4 times, cut once.
3. get plenty of clamps, all different sizes, there are some weird spots that yo need to clamp together.
4. Get the butt weld clamps from harbor freight, cheap and invaluable!!
5. Get plenty of spot weld drill bits. Awesome bit, saves tones of time.
6. if I do it all over again, I would get a spot welder most likely. I replicated a lot of spot welds by drilling hole, calming and then welding hole to part and grind flush. Time consuming, but great results.
7. Invest in good welding helmet that auto-dims, work great not that expensive and provide very clear sight when welding.
8. Welding gloves a must.....
9. Don't expect that replacement sheet metal fits perfect. You have to time to fit, etc.
10. Always, always tack parts in, check fit, check fit, check fit, then weld in permanent.
11. Don't weld in one spot too long, the metal is thin and heats up quick, warping is no fun.

I love working with metal and the welding on this project has been tough....but very rewarding!!! When you are done with a tricky area (front jackpot, b-billar/rocker area for example) there is a lot of satisfaction!!!

If your mechanically inclined, have a bit off OCD, and are up for a rewarding challenge....grab a welder and go to town!!!!

Sun Mar 29, 2015 11:46 am

Beautiful Bus and great work! What is color code for the gray paint?

Sun Mar 29, 2015 11:52 am

1967250s wrote: Beautiful Bus and great work! What is color code for the gray paint?

Thanks! The grey is just primer. The paint is Pearl white on the bottom and white on the top, the pictures are a bit deceiving as they were taken at night in my garage....

Got all the pearl white color sanded.....holy rubber arms....still have to sand the top and start the buff/polish wax. Took a break from that and put gas tank in, rear shocks, rear hatch.

Sun Mar 29, 2015 2:21 pm

KombiMarc wrote: 67box wrote: Quick question Marc, had you done a bunch of welding prior to this project?

Nope...in fact bought first welder just for this project. Spent some time "learning" on scrap metal before jumping off the ledge.

Few lessons I learned that might help others contemplating rust repair:
1. Make sure your welder has shielded gas/bottle setup. makes cleaner welds and you'll catch less stuff in your garage on fire, lol, trust me.
2. Don't measure twice cut once, measure 4 times, cut once.
3. get plenty of clamps, all different sizes, there are some weird spots that yo need to clamp together.
4. Get the butt weld clamps from harbor freight, cheap and invaluable!!
5. Get plenty of spot weld drill bits. Awesome bit, saves tones of time.
6. if I do it all over again, I would get a spot welder most likely. I replicated a lot of spot welds by drilling hole, calming and then welding hole to part and grind flush. Time consuming, but great results.
7. Invest in good welding helmet that auto-dims, work great not that expensive and provide very clear sight when welding.
8. Welding gloves a must.....
9. Don't expect that replacement sheet metal fits perfect. You have to time to fit, etc.
10. Always, always tack parts in, check fit, check fit, check fit, then weld in permanent.
11. Don't weld in one spot too long, the metal is thin and heats up quick, warping is no fun.

I love working with metal and the welding on this project has been tough....but very rewarding!!! When you are done with a tricky area (front jackpot, b-billar/rocker area for example) there is a lot of satisfaction!!!

If your mechanically inclined, have a bit off OCD, and are up for a rewarding challenge....grab a welder and go to town!!!!
Well I have the OCD thing and I have some mechanical skill and what I lack I make up in determination. I have had a lot of people tell me, that's way to much work. After watching you I think I'm going to try. Thanks

Sun Mar 29, 2015 6:09 pm

You'll do great! Be patient and have fun. Trust me you'll have way more fun doing the metal work than the paint work!! That's a whole nother level of "fun".
:)

Sat May 23, 2015 1:43 pm

Almost done!! Wiring harness all in, get the brake system sorted out. Going to drop the engine in next day or two. Test out the electrical, hopefully make a test drive !!

Still need floor mats door panels and see coverings that won't stop me from driving :D

Sat May 23, 2015 6:47 pm

There's just something extra beautiful about Mouse Gray busses.

Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:02 am

BarryL wrote: There's just something extra beautiful about Mouse Gray busses.

Bad lighting in pic sorry, its L87 pearl white with base white on top.

On the ROAD~!!! Test drive good, few minor mechanical items I had to shake out. Still need interior panels and mats and figure out recovering seats, but shes raodworthy, legal and insured!!! Drove to work today with a big smile in the bus for the first time!

Will post more interior pics!

Peace!

Tue Sep 08, 2015 10:02 pm

ok so pretty much done, with the exception of getting the seats covered. Few minor things and will probably do a bit of paint touchup this fall when it cools down, too dam hot to do any paintwork right now.

here are some interior updates. Made the panels and covered them myself, not too bad!!

And here she is!! Took 5 years and will always be "doing stuff", but pretty much a clean tight ride, done right, ready for tons of miles!!!

It took me a lot longer then I thought it would, but soon worth it. If your stuck in your project, just keep churning....keep moving and you'll get there!

Thanks to Samba for having a forum like this, I am certain I could not have got here without this site!!

To all the users who I got parts from, sold parts to and helped me with advice and encouragement THANKS!!

Tue Sep 08, 2015 11:15 pm

Nice work.

What mountains are those in the background?
I don't recognize them.
If you don't want to say as it might give away where you live, I understand.