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Sun Jan 22, 2017 1:03 am

Today, I used chemical stripper on the body and pan....

And wound up using a brass brush, red scotchbrite pad, and spot applications of stripper to get everything clean.

I found stubborn rust on the undersides of the front fenders and inside edges of both windows. I used steel wool and lemon juice to remove it.

After everything was clean and prepped, I gave the body and chassis a coat of SEM self etching primer.

Like volktales, I found some scratches and a dent that would show through the paint. I used a build primer in a beer cap, and dabbed it onto the bad areas, then sanded and then primered the whole body again.

The chassis got painted gloss black over the self etching primer. The body was painted using Wolfsburg West rattlecan Anthracite, and I followed that with 2 coats of clear. The seats were masked and painted Krylon Georgia Clay, which is a great mimic for Indian Red.

Before reassembly, I'll try to get the glass as clear and glossy as I can.

Sun Jan 22, 2017 10:20 am

That is going to look nice. I haven't tried painting the interior of mine yet, but I think I just might have to now...

Mon Jan 23, 2017 1:32 am

Here it is assembled.
The paint took a long time to dry on the plastic. I would try a different kind of paint if I did this again, but I'll see how it holds up. At least nothing will touch or scratch it.

Thanks volktales, for the inspiration. This is fun- I may have to do another!

Mon Jan 23, 2017 10:39 pm

That looks very nice. Tonkas are relatively simple and fun to restore. I know I will do some more in the future too. Wish Tonka had made a baywindow bus then I could have some more fun!

Sun Feb 14, 2021 3:01 pm

Reviving an old thread, I just bought a red one and it’s missing the headlights. Any recommendations on what to use?

Sat Feb 20, 2021 11:11 am

Usually lots listed on e-bay at any time. These are reproduced as well. Probably would be possible to make one using your remaining light as a pattern. These Tonkas are fun to restore! Post up your pictures on this thread when done!

Sun Aug 03, 2025 11:19 pm

I found a couple more of these Tonkas on eBay last year, and one was a candidate for stripping and painting.

This blue beetle showed signs of abuse. The roof had several deep dents, and the front of the beetle was pushed in. I'm surprised the bumper was intact.

I first used a mallet to try to get the worst of the dents straightened out. Then I used stripper and got the body down to bare steel.

More metal bumping with the hammer and sometimes a dolly, and then filing, heavy sanding, and then wet sanding. I think the roof is straight now.

Now I'm trying to make my mind up on a color. Thinking either a light gray (Mouse or Fontana) or something like Turkis, Beryl, Jade, or Mignonette.

Sun Aug 03, 2025 11:33 pm

Also, this one came missing a headlight, and eBay is coming up empty, as is Etsy. If anyone has some of the headlights for sale, let me know!

Fri Aug 15, 2025 9:49 pm

Interesting You Tube videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XNv3UIcgDE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGCAojE9JY0

Sun Aug 17, 2025 11:39 am

Those videos are great.

Just about done with my second Tonka. This one I finished in Jade Green.

Waiting for the pan to fully dry, and on a "parts" Tonka for the missing headlight and a new rear axle and wheels.

Sun Sep 07, 2025 2:00 pm

Here's the fleet at present- the new jade green at left, a factory red in the middle, and my anthracite bug at right.

I found another rather badly beaten red Tonka for pretty cheap, so I bought it for some parts that were missing or in bad shape on my Jade beetle. Right after that another helpful Sambanista (Thank you, Blue Baron!!) sent me an old spare headlight he had.

It was painted silver and the clip is broken off. So, I used one of the intact headlights on the jade beetle and cleaned up the junker that I bought, which has broken plastic, and had bent body panels. I straightened and fixed what I could, and then used a bead of hot glue to fasten the donor headlight.

Actually turned out pretty good. This will be a "parts" beetle, but will look fine sitting on a shelf.