Kombi rear vent wings colour

[Vntg Volks]

First of all guys... nice to meet you all and many congratulations for the quality of this forum. I've never write before now here but I follow you from 2009 and I found this forum very interesting.

I'm currently restoring an Italian '69 Kombi (planned production date Oct. 31, 1968) and soon I'll repaint it in its original colour (L512). During the years this Kombi was repainted from previous owner in a different colour that doesn't match original. Here's a picture of it on the road to home

I've a simple question about rear vent wings: I cannot understand which colour should be the vent frame. In the past I always known that Deluxe bus has chrome vent frame while Kombis have it in black colour.

If I look to my Kombi, I see them in black colour but... under this colour I can see some green:

On this forum member '68 Kombi (similar to mine) I can see that frames are painted in Velvet Green (I see it especially in the upper part of vent wings):

... So, in definitive way, what colour should be the frame? The black colour was used from a specific year of production (e.g. 1970) or not?

Thank you very much in advance for any answer
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1969 T2a Kombi L512 Velvet Green

[chimneyfish]

I'm not sure about the green. Common primer colours for metal include grey, white and green in general, but I'm not sure if VW ever used a green primer? Has the black flaked off to the primer underneath?

In regard to the black paint, I'm sure someone on here can clarify quick, but I'm sure it would either be L41 black or L43 grey-black? (I can't remember the code of the paint I used on the outer frames (I have chrome inner windows) is with my bus and I'm not near it till this weekend, but it was one of those.

After just give them a clear coat of laquer.

It looks like you might need new seals, and may well have to replace the vent window frame, they are very prone to rusting out, even on solid buses.

I changed all my seals (used German made VEWIB bought from here http://www.status-vw.co.uk/shop/index.html?target=dept_3.html&lang=en-gb Status have a really good reputation for the quality of their seals here in the UK).

Only issue is, even with VEWIB seals, and I think it is the same with other seals available, the vent window on the sliding has a stop (to stop the sliding door ripping the window out if it is left open when sliding door is opened). Those seals must have been a special part number back in the day. Unfortunately now you have to carefully cut a small hole in the new seal yourself to accomodate that stop).


I had to rebuild two of the rear vent windows, as I found the frames had rotted out beyond repair once I had them out (once out, you have to remove the rivet in the frame to get the centre glass frame out by the way). The frames are not all that hard to come by, I ended up accumulating 5 complete windows and frames including from the classifieds on here.
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1965 Type 1 Deluxe (1200cc)
1976 Type 2 T2b Microbus L (1800cc Type 4)
Previously...
1972 T2 Camper (Devon), 1988 Golf, 1972 Type 1, 1984 Polo, 1972 T2 Camper (Danbury)

[Vntg Volks]

Thanks a lot for your prompt and extremely detailed answer
Most of people told me that the frame should be in black colour (semigloss) for Kombi.

First of all I'll try to disassemble vent wing and understand its conditions. Yes, you're right, all seals need to be replaced and I'm moving to retrieve and order new ones (thank you very much for parts supplier link).

I'll try also to remove the black coat in order to see if the green colour is a primer or not.
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1969 T2a Kombi L512 Velvet Green

[chimneyfish]

Here also is a link to the list of VEWIB stockists in Germany and Swizerland, there don't seem to be any listed for Italy, just thinking with shipping Switzerland is practically next door to Northern Italy compared to shipping from UK:

http://www.vewib.de/cms/website.php?id=/en/distrib...d45e7c8be5
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1965 Type 1 Deluxe (1200cc)
1976 Type 2 T2b Microbus L (1800cc Type 4)
Previously...
1972 T2 Camper (Devon), 1988 Golf, 1972 Type 1, 1984 Polo, 1972 T2 Camper (Danbury)

[Vntg Volks]

Thanks a lot for suggestion
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1969 T2a Kombi L512 Velvet Green