Messaged the wrong person, acquired a '61 :-D

[The Pilch]

I've checked this so many times now, it's definitely sewn on the wrong side.

Skip forward to 1:40 in this chris vallone video and you'll see the windlace is sewn to the face of the material - the dark blue side ( easier to see in chris' video for he is using dark blue with a white back)

https://youtu.be/TWzq5MrIpeM?si=W4dAQUDMbH9QSXqc
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'85 Vanagon GL, weekender package, 1.9 wbx named Freddie/ '61 Beetle named Ringo/ '78 Dodge Monaco which is nothing like the Bluesmobile so please don't cast that oily rag upon it.

[richparker]

If and when I decide it’s time for a new headliner, I’m definitely paying to have it installed. Thanks for convincing me not to DIY it.
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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[The Pilch]

Hi guys.

I was finally paid for a car I sold recently so I thought I’d use the money to put into the bug. I treated Ringo to some of those fancy stainless running boards…

They look great!

But they sure don’t fit in the rear fender area.

I guess this is just something that I have to live with, along with the windlace sewn incorrectly and various other parts that are not up to snuff in my opinion.

It’s cold here, hope you’re all doing well and I hope to have more progress pictures to post up here soon.


G
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'85 Vanagon GL, weekender package, 1.9 wbx named Freddie/ '61 Beetle named Ringo/ '78 Dodge Monaco which is nothing like the Bluesmobile so please don't cast that oily rag upon it.

[CaliforniaVW3]

Maybe see if you can find some rubber you can melt down (and shape) and press on the back to fill the gap?

[RobE30]

Wow.... Quite the endeavor! Well done sir

[obieoberstar]

Maybe some 3D printing to create some sort of filler piece?

They look great otherwise. However, that gap is not even close. Is there a difference between early and late models?

[vwuberalles]

Weird, I have those same running boards on my 73 (with 72 rear fenders) and they fit way better! Mine are from the 90s though so maybe they've changed how they're made since then?
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1973 Superbeetle: 1st car, owned since age 12. Update thread --> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9919140#9919140
1967 Kombi: Owned since age 17, Dad's retirement project.
1966 Beetle: My new project. (SOLD) Build thread--> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=678040

[wdfifteen]

[wdfifteen]

When you do get around to installing the headliner, these are tools I found useful when I installed mine. I watched Valone's videos, so some of these may have been mentioned there.

I used the acid brushes and chip brushes to apply the contact cement. The binder clips hold the headliner in place. The blue plastic upholsery tools were very helpful. The cuticle pushers and detailer's Q-tips came in handy for working in tight spaces and applying very small amounts of glue.
In addition, I recommend regular masking tape and also clean release tape for on painted surfaces, an X-Acto knife with new pointed and round tip blades, LOTS of shop-type paper towels, and vinyl gloves.

Good luck. Headliners are a beotch!!

[The Pilch]

Hi everyone. Hope you are all in good Christmas cheer!!

I started the headliner today. Wished I hadn’t but there’s nobody going to do it for me.

So the whole windlace thing got me annoyed and even though Vallone told me to demand the fancy windlace, I’m sick of the fight so I just started.

In the grippers, there was excess material sticking out that looked stupid…

So I carefully trimmed that off.

And this is the whole issue, windlace rubber beading covered in tweed which to me is wrong

But after a lot of glueing and fretting it doesn’t look so bad…

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'85 Vanagon GL, weekender package, 1.9 wbx named Freddie/ '61 Beetle named Ringo/ '78 Dodge Monaco which is nothing like the Bluesmobile so please don't cast that oily rag upon it.

[The Pilch]

Then the next piece which wasn’t fun. I’m so nervous to cut this wrong and indeed I did in one place but the door panels will hide that.

So, there’s a plastic tab that goes into these grippers…

And somehow I had to glue along the top edge into that recess above, so as to tuck it in there…

Then as before it’s glued to the wheel hump and into the window well. It took me a good two hours to do this bit.

There is one fold that isn’t to my liking right up in the b pillar which I’m not sure how to fix but this is coming along and it’s not under huge tension like before. Wrinkles gently pull out of tweed.

This is hard.
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'85 Vanagon GL, weekender package, 1.9 wbx named Freddie/ '61 Beetle named Ringo/ '78 Dodge Monaco which is nothing like the Bluesmobile so please don't cast that oily rag upon it.

[67rustavenger]

It's looking good Gary.
Damn, if you could just pull that fabric over the top of the door forward, the B pillar would look great.

Keep up the great work. I like seeing your updates on your 61.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[OldSchoolVW's]

I really admire your patience and meticulous approach to this project, Gary. That tweed looks great. I know you'll be very pleased with it in the end. Thanks for taking time to share these photos and your thoughts as you work through the process. Be sure to reward yourself with some Christmas cheer!
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Tom

"Following distance is proportional to IQ."

"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller

"But I also have to say, for the umpty-umpth time, that life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all." William Goldman

'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback

[The Pilch]

Thanks for your comments guys!

So, I have a torn meniscus in my knee, had it about 4 weeks now and being inside the car is actually agony. I got this done today despite that...

And looky what we have here, a darned dirt spot on the windlace that should be a rubber beading....I'm so annoyed this is exactly why I questioned it I the first place. Sewfine should really be doing these pieces correctly. Now there's a smudge that's always going to be there...

The rear window surround is all I have left before the main roof piece....exciting!!!
I cannot fathom how this goes in so I'm going to rest my knee and watch some videos...

More tomorrow, without as much pain I hope!
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'85 Vanagon GL, weekender package, 1.9 wbx named Freddie/ '61 Beetle named Ringo/ '78 Dodge Monaco which is nothing like the Bluesmobile so please don't cast that oily rag upon it.

[OldSchoolVW's]

[The Pilch]

Thank you Tom. I’m taking every step to brace my knee including doing nothing but as you know, I have trouble doing nothing a lot. Thanks mate.

I will look into those cleaning products as well. Fantastic!
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'85 Vanagon GL, weekender package, 1.9 wbx named Freddie/ '61 Beetle named Ringo/ '78 Dodge Monaco which is nothing like the Bluesmobile so please don't cast that oily rag upon it.

[Sun Devil Brain]

Strong Work as always Pilchinator. That's a bummer on the smudge.

Try pouring a beer on your knee, that might help.

Enjoy the holiday Brutha!

[The Pilch]

[The Pilch]

Some of this happened...

I am going back in and pulling the side window areas tighter, to get rid of that bagginess, but otherwise I'd call that a win.

For Christmas, I was given a fantastic gas cap holder - hand made no less....by Lando, what a gent! Lando is my wifes daughters bf, and as well as being a top guy he has a bay window bus so I will endeavor to get him on the samba regularly - that was a nice gift, hand made stuff means so much more!

Myself and Clyde have been trying to get the doors built up.

The CIP1 German window kit is EXCELLENT and I highly recommend it, none of that JBugs crap....Clyde has built up a lot of doors and said this kit goes in amazing - so there's a recommendation for you, CIP1 German Quality stuff is GOOD!

Vent windows are perfect but the main glass just will not go in with all the new felts. It seems about 1/8-1/4" too big. New felts are lush and really nice, but because they are new, it's causing issues getting the main glass in.

Our local guru says to ream out the new felt channels hard, really give them some abuse, but the thing with that is the glass is still absolutely too big....so here's my festive question to you guys...

Have any of you shaved glass down, maybe by 1/4 inch? Success? Fails? Other ideas?

Lots of love to you all, and a Happy Nude Rear!

Mr and Mrs The Pilch
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'85 Vanagon GL, weekender package, 1.9 wbx named Freddie/ '61 Beetle named Ringo/ '78 Dodge Monaco which is nothing like the Bluesmobile so please don't cast that oily rag upon it.

[67rustavenger]

Fantastic work there. I really like the way the tweed fabric vs the vinyl fits the roof line.

That gas holder is cool as F. What a great gift from a friend.

Have a Happy New Year Gary.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!