TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1979 VW beetle convertible paint question

Tue Oct 08, 2024 1:43 pm

Wonder if someone can help me with this one. I am looking at a 79 super beetle convertible for sale. The current owner, in his 70s, bought it 10 years ago from what he says was the 88 year old original owner. I've been around VWs a bit and I would say that it is possible. Here is my question. There is an area just under the windshield where the paint is failing, I think due to pooling water from sitting. The thing is that the clear coat has failed and the base is well worn. The current owner swears that the original owner told him the paint was original, always in a garage/no winters/etc. I always thought VWs were painted single stage, but I remember reading somewhere that mid to late 70s VWs were painted base/clear coat if it was a metallic paint (this is river blue metallic). I've checked the car over for the usual areas where a re-spray shows up, but I can't find evidence that it has been painted. I checked with an autobody shop owner who checked the same car out and he said it was re-sprayed because they didn't use clear coats back then (btw he is in his 50s and started with VWs). But, when pressed, he also said he didn't see evidence of a re-spray, he just didn't think VW used clear coats back then. Anyone know if '79 VW beetle convertibles would have been painted using a clear coat, or anything I should look for beyond the basic

Sun Oct 13, 2024 3:15 pm

VW never used clear coat back then.
Your gonna have to pull the windows out for repairs and fresh paint & clear coat if you buy it.