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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2345
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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 Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:36 pm Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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I just wanted to drop a note in here. I am still working on the Bus and the Westy, and I still love them both.
I am in the process of building a new home shop/garage, as I am retired now and want to really lean into the build life.
The Garage plans include 3 bays below with work shop room and storage space, a mezzanine in an L-shape with a bay door for a car up there. The mezzanine will open to patio space for gear heads hang out and smoke a brisket. There are plans to sneak a spray booth into one of the lower bays. Booth time in our area is at a premium and i would be able to rent it out to custom painters.
All in all things are going well. Wish I had more to post on the Bus progress...but that is life, and it will get done.
Gordo.
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BarryL 
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 15363
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2022 6:37 pm Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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Whoa.
Seems you been livin' some life and it's been leanin' into you. |
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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2345
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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| Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2022 7:33 am Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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| BarryL wrote: |
| How's things? |
Well,wow...where to begin.?
When I last posted, I had just began what seemed to be a dream job of working at a Hot Rod Shop. There was a slightly steep learning curve for me to get into their groove of the molasses slow pace of builds. Building cars with a final build budget of over $300k (canadian). That is until I got my hands on a Ghia Build. Budget of $40K...body off, floor pan por15 treatment, lowered, narrowed front end, re-upholster seats, new top, CB Performance fuel injection , top end rebuild, custom stainless exhaust, and subtle pin striping, all done inside of 4 months.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=748887&highlight=
Also during that build I had to rebuild 4 weber 40IDF carbs for 351W engine, etc, etc.
It did seem like I had found my nirvana, then the wheels on the cart began to fall off. It seems the manager is a habitual liar. The Stuttgart trained certificate??? Well, he printed it himself. He would underestimate and over promise every job. Not listen to those who know more than him, and wait for the repercussions before fixing anything...so, not a good place.
Needless to say I am not there now, and any talent that was there, has left too. Add to all of that, the passing of my Mother. I have just been taking time off. I am so close to being able to retire, but I want to keep working just so I can keep getting jobber rates of parts for my Bus, and....our recently new to us ...
1988 Vanagon Westfalia!!!!
I know , it's water-cooled , but it's still kinda cool and it's the perfect Covid-19 bug out vehicle, or at least it will be....
So, maybe you'll have to watch for thread starting on it in the Vanagon forums?
No real progress on the Bamboo Bus to report.
Gordo.
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BarryL
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 15363
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:42 pm Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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| How's things? |
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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2345
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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| Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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Bit of an update, on me not the bus. Due to the covid-19 situation and the inability of the Subaru dealership, where I work, to follow the Guidelines and protocols set out by the Human rights act, work safe B.C., the C.D.C. and interior health....I no longer work for them. Sad...no. Every cloud has a silver lining. I applied at one shop. The first shop on my bucket list of places I would like to work...and I got the job. I now work at Conquer Custom Rods.
https://www.konquer.ca/konquer-custom-rods
I have an okay resume, I guess, but what I think sealed the deal was that the manager is a Stutgart trained VW tech. And, for the final stamp of approval, I showed him my steering wheel.
I had been worried about once my bus was done and I was driving it to work, where I would park it? Well, now it looks like I will just park it line with all the other hot rods in front of the shop. Simply awesome.
Gordo.
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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2345
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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| Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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Well there is always something that comes up that seems to weasel it's way in front of the Bus project for time and money. This time it was the septic field... shitty job, but someone has to do it. Fortunately for me, my Brother-in-law used to do this for a living and I used to work for him. So we did it all in a day.
So now my weekends are being taken up with clean-up and yard work I just have evenings to work on the Bus.
One of the main reasons I chose to make my own door panels, was that many of the big guys (TMI in particular) does not offer the long panel in one piece. Most likely because of shipping sizes.
I was able to lay the material out, tape down the one edge, glue it and flip it method. Which seemed to work well for me.
The arm rests are made of bamboo and a 1/4" layer of Birch plywood. The bamboo was sourced form dollar store cutting boards, which were cut, laminated and then shaped. The coating on them is West systems epoxy resin and then coated with a lacquer to help with UV stability.
Now I am starting on the walk-thru rubber kick wrap around and trim. I have my old pieces of trim which will help in the shaping of them.
Gordo.
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BarryL
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 15363
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 11:30 am Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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| flemcadiddlehopper wrote: |
| I would like to somehow cover the gap in that area to minimize the amount of black painted metal seen between the windows of the cargo doors. |
What color are your window frames? Assuming they are the top color you will have the surround black rubber then the frames so it should look tidy.
Sano job all around. |
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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2345
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 9:45 pm Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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I am trying to get one panel done a day (after working a full day and making dinner for my family). The next panels are going to be the tough ones; the long panel and the front doors.
Here is where I'm at now.
I found a new trick for aligning the upholstery when sticking it down. I am now aligning the piece unglued, taping it along on the mating edge, then folding it over to apply the contact cement. Once the cement has set up , slowly fold the material over laying it down gently while smoothing it out. This may help a boatload on the long panel.
Gordo.
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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2345
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 6:25 am Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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| BarryL wrote: |
| There's a similar holding flap on the B-pillar only that one the material is pushed into the opening and then ends up doing a wrap-around to hide the flap. Capiche? |
Thanks. I figured out the passenger side B-pillar wrap. The front edge of the rear door has already been cut and glued at this point. I think I will have to figure something else out for it. I would like to somehow cover the gap in that area to minimize the amount of black painted metal seen between the windows of the cargo doors. That will have to wait until i begin to dig into all of the door seals.
Gordo.
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BarryL
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 15363
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 9:48 am Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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| There's a similar holding flap on the B-pillar only that one the material is pushed into the opening and then ends up doing a wrap-around to hide the flap. Capiche? |
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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2345
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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| Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2020 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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Thanks Barry.
and no, you don't have to post a pic as the answer was not too technical for me.
Gordo.
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BarryL
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 15363
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2020 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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| flemcadiddlehopper wrote: |
| So the wax paper idea would be great, however, I can't seem to find wax paper in rolls wide enough for this purpose. Still looking. |
Restaurant/Bakers supply?
| flemcadiddlehopper wrote: |
| Quick question regarding the front upper edge of the rear cargo door. I temporarily placed a piece of headliner welt, but it looks odd. There is a groove there , with a metal tab that was obviously pried up during my hasty disassembly. So... what goes in that groove with the tab folded down on it? Is there another door seal that bridges that gap or something to that effect? And please post pictures if you have them. |
All it is is a flap/tab that holds and finishes off the painted dot fabric from having a loosie-goosie edge that could peel back with time. I don't know how many rebends you can get out of the tab. I'm betting it was a few degrees sticking out at the factory then tapped lightly flat...not being meant to do many more than once. It was painted before being bent, I believe.
Do I really have to post a photo? |
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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2345
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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| Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2020 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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So the wax paper idea would be great, however, I can't seem to find wax paper in rolls wide enough for this purpose. Still looking.
I have managed to put together another cargo door panel and mount them on the doors. All trim lines still line up nicely.
Quick question regarding the front upper edge of the rear cargo door. I temporarily placed a piece of headliner welt, but it looks odd. There is a groove there , with a metal tab that was obviously pried up during my hasty disassembly. So... what goes in that groove with the tab folded down on it? Is there another door seal that bridges that gap or something to that effect? And please post pictures if you have them.
Gordo.
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vwuberalles
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Joined: October 18, 2003
Posts: 1491
Location: Richmond, VA
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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2345
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 5:15 pm Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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Just a quick question to any of you who have made your own door panels. Have any of you used wax paper to keep the two contact cemented pieces apart while aligning?
Just asking because I completed what would most likely be the easiest door panel to upholster. This was not as simple a task as I had imagined. (much like almost everything I have attempted on this bus. Ignorance is bliss...it's the awakening that's a real bitch) Now I am trying to imagine how I am going to be able to work the long panel pieces. I have had the opportunity to work with a cabinet maker before, and he used the wax paper technique when installing countertops. Worked great. He just slid the paper out one end as he aligned it and stuck it down.
So....?
Gordo.
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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2345
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:58 pm Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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Well, all holes are drilled so there's nothing holding me back from laying on the upholstery.
One done...
Gordo.
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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2345
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 10:53 am Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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One last alignment check before I start drilling holes for the trim.
Notice the front door line looking through the walk-thru.
Think I nailed it, hopefully I can drill that straight.
Gordo.
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BarryL
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 15363
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2020 6:30 pm Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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| flemcadiddlehopper wrote: |
The trick, in my case, is using those references to align all of the trim lines. Using careful measurement and the application of masking tape to eyeball verify the alignment.
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Marvelous just marvelous. |
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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2345
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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| Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2020 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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The lower trim lines on the door panels alignment reference point starts at the trim line for the lower rubber wrap around kicks on the walk through.
The upper trim line aligns with the centre of the door handles on both the front doors and the cargo doors.
The trick, in my case, is using those references to align all of the trim lines. Using careful measurement and the application of masking tape to eyeball verify the alignment.
I then rechecked that I had enough of the Silver Beige material by marking out a rough cut line for each panel. One bonus to the Silver Beige material is that my centre panel measures 15.5" , which just happens to fall directly on the more solid lines in the pattern, making for easier precise cutting.
Gordo.
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flemcadiddlehopper
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2011
Posts: 2345
Location: Kelowna, BC. Canada.
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| Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2020 7:45 am Post subject: Re: Canadian 1967 11 window restoration. |
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The last panel is now fitted. The Alpine PXE-0850S Audio Processor mounted in it's location with holes for all the cables punched through. I will still need to fabricate a cover for 10 RCAs to keep it tidy looking. I know that is not the correct location for the ash tray, but the back of the middle seat looks so clean without it. I think it looks alright there. The other little stainless pieces are small fold down hooks. Thought they would be handy for hanging towels, beach bags, or shopping bags.
Now I can mark out where the division of each of the panels so it all lines up. Once lines are drawn I will begin the task of drilling all the mounting holes for the trim.
I should be getting on with the upholstery pretty quick. Maybe that's how I'll spend my Canada Day.
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