Dougs 56 build

[xraymatt]

What's up, Doug!
Your build inspired me to tear into my own 56 oval, which has gone on during the past year. It's steadily moving on, but it's taking some time. Have you made any progress during the past year? I'm sure we're all eagerly awaiting an update. Hope all is well, brother.

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1956 Reed Green oval window
1961 OG Black ragtop

[Dan22]

Nice curves and shine!
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1-0900722 die langsame grüne Schildkröte
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=765074

[Volksvr6gti]

Shop was working on all the small bits this week. So not really too much for me to update you with. But they did send me a pik of the W deck lid

[Volksvr6gti]

Yesterday I ran by the original paint shop and picked up a few pieces that they powdered for me. They delivered on the seat springs So far and are currently working on the seat frames. Hopefully I will pick those up at the end of this week. The seat springs I had powdered in gloss black. Here is a before and after, they came out nice

After:

Looking sharp !

[Volksvr6gti]

Thank all of you for the enthusiastic responses to the paint I was as excited myself and was eager to send you all some piks to share the excitement. I have been getting some other parts prepped, I just didn’t want to get too far ahead of myself as I wasn’t sure when this paint process was going to come to an end. But the light is very near

[VW_Jimbo]

Looking SO GOOD!

That has got to be a great feeling! You almost ready to put it all back together? I am certain you have been busy preparing everything!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[heimlich]

Lots of nice paint pictures there.
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[lardawge]

Looks amazing. The clear laid down really nice. It’s gonna look even better after color sand and buff. Gets me excited to see my car get to that stage.
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11/2/54 L227 Strato Silver Ragtop - Build Thread
1/7/55 L275 Light Beige - Build Thread

[grailoc]

the shop seem to have do a great work !!.
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My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[BBursell]

Wow! Finally!

[Volksvr6gti]

Below are a few more piks that the painter sent me today of the panels. Our weather has been perfect and consistent this past week and this upcoming week. Hopefully we will have it all wrapped up in a couple days

[Volksvr6gti]

Yep I finally have some paint piks I actually just received them last night from Bishop Motors. The weather here the last week was just up and down wet - cold - hot - humid. So we held off until the weather stabilized and this was the week. So far the doors and most panels have been shot and cleared. They have a few more small things to shoot and then it will be time to shoot the body itself. We should be wrapped up in the next couple of days I also made contact with the other shop who is powder coating the seats and other misc parts and hopefully they will be done this Friday.

Color shot before clear:

After clear:

All in all the color looks amazing. I will need to run up there to get a physical eye on it, but so far from the piks it looks good enough to me. I do plan to drive this bug and use it quite often. Therefore, I am hoping for no imperfections, however, if there are a couple here or there, I won’t be too worried. More piks to come when I receive them

[Clatter]

Wow! some turn-around..!

So.....
Paint pics?
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Bus Motor Build

I have excellent news for the world...
There is no such thing as patina.
It does not exist!

[tehillah1]

Great pics of the craftsman at work and the results coming along for your project. Clearly a lot of attention to the details and the fact they went back to correct things they weren't satisfied with is a sign of quality craft. Thanks for the update.

[lardawge]

Awesome update! Looks like things are moving along with body and paint. I am looking forward to the day my 54 gets out of that stage so I can assemble. It’s close to done with metal work then off to body paint.

Looks good!
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11/2/54 L227 Strato Silver Ragtop - Build Thread
1/7/55 L275 Light Beige - Build Thread

[Volksvr6gti]

Ok, well I figure it is time to provide an update with some photos of progress to keep this thread alive. As those of you who had been following, I would not want to completely lose your interest. So quick recap, about 2 years ago I sent the shell off for some minor body work and to be painted at what we shall refer to as shop #1. Long story short is that shop #1 failed on a lot of promises. I had asked them what the deal was and basically, they just simply do not have the manpower at the shop to be able to complete this project. I had even offered for them to reevaluate their bid and maybe we could come to a price agreement to put my car front of the shop and main priority and therefore make both parties happy…. But they stated they simply cannot as they would be able to afford the shop dues. In the end they are only good for short term quick turn-around projects and I was looking for someone to take their time and do solid work. Thus, I was forced to source out a second shop.

During this period, I was able to have a few things worked on and therefore, getting myself closer to wrapping this project up. One of the things I was able to have completed was the original 56 transaxle. I drove it up to Jim at Shift Happens in Georgia and at first, he was a little reluctant to take this one on as I had already disassembled it. He would have much preferred that it was left alone and for himself to perform the original teardown… but in the end he took the project on and I am thankful. He was great to work with. So if you all recall, the issue with the transaxle was that a tooth had snapped on the pinion shaft. Jim was able to source me a new ring and pinion as the one I had provided was actually from an earlier split case than mine and would not work. In the end these were the results:

I also decided that I was going to run stock disc brakes and had Jim overhaul the rears while he had the transaxle on hand.

Before:

After:

I also had went back to shop #1 as I had $1500.00 that they cashed and then never performed any of the agreed work. I knew this money was long gone, so it was pointless for me to ask for a refund… we all know how that works out. Therefore, I decided to take another approach which has been working well. I told them I was aware that $1500 was still on the table and instead of me trying to take it back, how about we work out a deal for some small parts. I told them I wanted my 5 rims painted and a bunch of misc. parts to be powdered. They agreed. The first Item they worked were the rims. I wanted the inner barrels painted a satin black to assist with brake dust staining. I then had the inner face painted Silver Beige L466, and I had the outer dish painted 1956-1968 Jaguar – Sherwood Green – Q1231 – in Glasurit 55 Line. Here are the results:

They are now working on powder for my seat frames, springs, shifter, steering column, and a few other items. Overall, its working out and shop #1 is able to tackle these small jobs fairly well.

Next, I found a newer shop that is across town that is attempting to make a name for themselves. They specialize in classic Mercedes. In the beginning they had no interest in painting a beetle and told me no. A few days later they call me back and asked what year the beetle was, and I informed them a 56. This sparked interest as they knew it could fit the profile for a classic. They came and took a look at it and decided to take it on around November 2022. Since then, they have been trucking on. It has taken longer than they had anticipated, but as long as there was steady forward progress, I remained content. They have been great.

They started out working the fender areas and pulling the wheel-well dents out as they created gaps between the body and fenders:

Next, they worked the doors to pull and hammer lows and highs. Drivers’ door also required some patch work on the underside as it had some rust through.

After this they applied some seam sealer to assist with future rust prevention in the seams:

After this they worked the fenders and welded in the front bullet marker light bases, worked on the front bonnet and the rear deck lid removing dents and smoothing out some imperfections:

Once these were initially worked, I had provided them with my gas tank, to weld the fuel sender gauge hole shut and the other hole that was for the fuel line on the original gas heater that was installed.

I also provided the shop with the paint and clear of my choice. I decided to use the RM Diamont line. The color is diamond green took 4 days for BASF to finally get us a code, which they referenced from their Glasurit line. I also went with RM Glamour Clear.
Here it is for anyone in the future to help save yourself the headache.

After the initial 2k on the fenders the shop decided that the metal needed some additional work. They stripped them down and re-worked them applied some filler and did their best at only leaving a skim coat of filler to use the least amount. After this they were shot again in 2k and were far smoother than original.

They ended up doing the same with both the engine cover and front bonnet.

The shell itself needed some minor body work which was done, all the undercoating that the previous owner applied was removed to the best of their ability. They blew out all the debris stuck in the channels of the body. Lastly, they 2k all the small parts and redrilled the body trim holes that were filled by the previous owner:

Today I checked in on them and they are wet sanding some of the 2k to remove any imperfection prior to shooting paint which they plan to do today, this weekend and Monday. Sorry so long winded, but an update with photos was much needed. Will post photos once painted.

[Clatter]

Sorry if i jinxed you!

Hopefully try #2 works out better.

I'm 0-3 with body shops... I think because I'm not very intimidating looking.
If you're also a fairly small guy, maybe take a big hairy biker friend or two along??

That, or maybe a cop.
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Bus Motor Build

I have excellent news for the world...
There is no such thing as patina.
It does not exist!

[VW_Jimbo]

Great to read an update! Hoping this time it is in good hands!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[lardawge]

Good to hear. It takes a lot to get a car through the bodywork/paint process. Finding the right place that will see it through is difficult. Sounds like you are on the right track!
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11/2/54 L227 Strato Silver Ragtop - Build Thread
1/7/55 L275 Light Beige - Build Thread

[Volksvr6gti]

Hey thanks for checking in. It’s actually going well. I had to move it from one shop to another. The new shop took it on this past November and they almost have it done. I supplied them with RM Diamont paint last week as well as Diamont DC5300 clear. Hopefully be shooting all panels next week.