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VW Lounge => General Forum => Topic started by: 3Gear on August 24, 2012, 04:13:37 pm

Title: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 3Gear on August 24, 2012, 04:13:37 pm
And boy or boy,  are the cookies good ;-) LOL  ?/moon2..

I just paid for my 1980 Westfalia Bus!!!   clap2-* {[busbu}]


I should be picking it up on Wednesday.

Needs a bit of top end work, some cleaning, and TLC.

But it is solid and in much, much better shape than I expected for the price. 
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: rich67vw on August 24, 2012, 04:44:42 pm
Congrats and much good luck with it
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 6T5 square on August 24, 2012, 05:55:34 pm
your dead to me
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: lovebus (jack) on August 24, 2012, 06:05:20 pm
Happy Bus day!! **^bana0 **^bana0



your dead to me

 &^rofl #@rofl3
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on August 24, 2012, 06:33:25 pm
your dead to me

Ok John first  #@rofl3. Then  ?/banghea?/      #@rofl3

As for Marc, congrats and I'm glad you finally came out
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: kvbug (karen) on August 24, 2012, 06:49:13 pm
 :jump4jo": :jump4jo":     


                                                                                  {}congrats

       
             

                                              Should we have a party? 
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: lovebus (jack) on August 24, 2012, 08:03:17 pm
Cool mornings & nights, time to plan Fall & Winter Campouts................. @campfiresmiley thumpup)-
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Fire Lady (Michelle) on August 25, 2012, 09:37:23 am
Woo-hoo, another camper!!!!!!   


 :jump4jo":       :jump4jo":           :jump4jo":           :jump4jo":
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on August 25, 2012, 11:13:22 am


I just paid for my 1980 Westfalia Bus!!!   clap2-* {[busbu}]


Sorry Marc... You can't call a "Wedge" a "Bus". Having both, I feel for ya... But it's against the rules.   #@rofl3


BTW   =needpics=
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Celly on August 25, 2012, 07:39:03 pm
Congrats Dude!  May the Bus gods smile on every mile ventured...
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Mrs Baha (Tracy) on August 26, 2012, 10:24:56 am
Yay......... another camping buddy  :jump4jo":
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 3Gear on August 27, 2012, 08:29:00 am
Thanks everyone!!!  I am looking forward to camping with everyone, and doing some weekend trips with da kid!!! I'll post some photo's when I get it home Wednesday!



your dead to me

As for John,  ?/moon2..    &^rofl #@rofl3
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 3Gear on August 29, 2012, 10:37:36 pm
The Bus is home!!!!   A safe and uneventful trip. Well other than my neighbor's daughter peeing her pants while we loaded the bus LOL But she is about 3 so it was cute...

Many Big thanks to Glen for the use of his trailer!!!!

Many Big thanks to my neighbor Joe for the use of his truck and help loading and unloading the bus, he is much better with a trailer than I am! 

The good news is it ran with my battery!

The not so good, is no brakes.

I did not take photos since it was dark when I got home, I will take some tomorrow.

But looking it over I was again very pleased at the over all condition of the bus far better than I figured for the money!!  I found a mint snap in rear screen in the cabinet!!

I have the top up and screen windows open to get some fresh air, it is a bit stale, not funky just stale...

Now to start making the check list, and blog!!!!

Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: kvbug (karen) on August 29, 2012, 10:55:16 pm
You lucky dog!!  Someday I will own a Westy too!   Can't wait to see your pics and hear of your adventures   thumpup)-
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Evil-Tunes (Glen) on August 29, 2012, 10:58:11 pm
 **^bana0 clap2-* :jump4jo": 2@@cool
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: lovebus (jack) on August 30, 2012, 06:15:25 am

 Someday I will own a Westy too!      thumpup)-

 -eyescan.=
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 3Gear on August 30, 2012, 09:47:55 am
Here are some photos, I'll get some better ones soon!

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8313/7893941528_5a99ce56a6_b.jpg)


(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8172/7893942000_31b8ca383f_b.jpg)


(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/7893942410_dd02853b13_b.jpg)
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: kvbug (karen) on August 30, 2012, 11:44:05 am
I have bus envy...    #@rofl3
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: rich67vw on August 30, 2012, 12:31:26 pm
 **^bana0 **^bana0
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Fire Lady (Michelle) on August 30, 2012, 03:58:25 pm
Marc - want to join us camping this weekend???
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Soul Rebel 67(Ramon) on August 30, 2012, 06:18:13 pm
 &^beer&  Congrats on ur new digs!!!  thumpup)-
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 3Gear on August 30, 2012, 10:29:17 pm
Thanks again, I am very excited to get wrenching!



Marc - want to join us camping this weekend???

Can't I'll be in Ohio with da family!!!  I also need to take care of a few things in da bus before I make any trips!!!
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: matt on August 31, 2012, 07:43:49 am



  Great Marc!  Good find and congrats, ....




                      But please don't tell me it has all 4 gears.... that somehow would be not quite right.......


   

                             good job - exciting as having a new baby!



matt

Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: lovebus (jack) on August 31, 2012, 05:19:35 pm
Lookin good Marc!!
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on August 31, 2012, 06:34:35 pm
But please don't tell me it has all 4 gears.... that somehow would be not quite right.......


This one has no compression in one cylinder


                  3Cyl (DUDE)
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: VWPANZER1 on August 31, 2012, 08:33:45 pm
Looks good Marc, lots of luck! clap2-*
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 3Gear on September 05, 2012, 03:00:23 pm
Arrgghhh, I have had the bus for a week and have not had the opportunity to do anything to it yet!!!!!!  #banghead  Dang holidays and bad weather...
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: vwtrike (Rich) on September 05, 2012, 08:11:14 pm
Good luck, have fun with it. {}congrats
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Bugaru "JAY" on September 05, 2012, 09:14:36 pm
 It's actually not that Dark. Besides if so that's why they make flashlights.. So you can brighten up your life.. Use the Force X$Darth
 Cograts..
.
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Beetleboi -Greg- on September 05, 2012, 09:50:25 pm
Very awesome! Two weeks to Flanders!
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 3Gear on September 06, 2012, 09:07:26 am
It's actually not that Dark. Besides if so that's why they make flashlights.. So you can brighten up your life.. Use the Force X$Darth
 Cograts...

LOL Thanks!!

Good luck, have fun with it. {}congrats

I plan to! Can't wait to get to motor out and get to  working!!!
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Fire Lady (Michelle) on September 06, 2012, 02:50:47 pm
Will it make it to Flanders as is? (without pulling engine?)
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 3Gear on September 10, 2012, 09:50:28 am
Michele, I have to make it stop before I make it go...  clap2-*

I did however get the top a bit cleaner on sunday, it's amazing what Purple Power and a power washer will do!
It will need a good fiberglass paint, just need to figure out which is a good one. 
and yes, I do have a new pop top seal already!


(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/7970884984_5731cd6d03_b.jpg)

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8036/7970884414_01421eee64_b.jpg)

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8179/7970883868_a685aca223_b.jpg)
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: skibumtgm on September 10, 2012, 02:45:47 pm
a little late on the info but my top was pretty bad like that and Dr. Ivan shined it right up.
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Bugaru "JAY" on September 10, 2012, 08:35:43 pm
 Marc..
 No-ooo Don't Paint it.. The Tops Colors are Gell Coated. So in short the color is in the fiberglass.. Get yourself a few scuff pads and scrub, and scrub again.. Finial add some bleach to your bucket and wash and let the water / bleach solution soak then rinse, it will brighten right up and also kill off any mold spores etc.

 After you replace the skylight seal "if you have a Shylight" then wax your top.. But before doing so check for any leaks or cracks in the top.. Simply spray the top down for a little while then go inside and feel for any wetness or dampness on the underside of the top..  I recently picked up a can of some of that Nu-Finish Car Wax.. WalFart sells it, it's in a orange can.. I've only used this stuff on fiberglass and it seals great, and water will bead up and it even enhances the color. It's also advertized as a once a year wax.. So if one coat covers so well Two coats must be great.. Just take your time to be sure your getting overlap coverage and seal..

 BTW never close your top up or leave it stored if the canvas is damp or wet.. That's what causes them to rot and decay, and it happens quicker then we would think. If you must break camp and the canvas was wet, open the top up and let it air dry when you get home.. I have replaced many tents on campers "which ain't a quick eazy job" because the owners forgot that their tents were damp and stored the camper away only to open it the following spring to find a tear, this usually is found across the back of the tent 1st.. It's actually a rotted canvas but will look like a tear..
Good Luck.
.
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 3Gear on September 11, 2012, 08:57:14 am
Thanks for the good info!!!!

Looks like I'll be grabbing the buffer!!!
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on September 11, 2012, 09:03:25 am
2 Words....

Doctor Ivans......  just sayin
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: skibumtgm on September 11, 2012, 09:38:59 am
2 Words....

Doctor Ivans......  just sayin

I said that all ready
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 3Gear on September 11, 2012, 10:56:16 am
2 Words....

Doctor Ivans......  just sayin


You guys talking about the us auto supply banana wax?

If so, I have a bottle I won as a door prize and tested it and was quite good on the oxidized paint, but I was not really impressed with it.  I'll take my mothers Carnauba wax over it any day... IF you consider the 3 step process from Mothers, the banana wax does not stand a chance... IMHO   I'll have to do a side by side test on the paint to see how much of a difference it is.    


Anyway, back on point, I wanted to paint the top to cover the micro cracks instead of applying a fresh gelcoat, which from my reading is a total PIA...

So I was thinking a good heavy duty 2 part epoxy primer. and brace yourself Shawn, a real non rustoleum paint on top...
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Daverted on September 11, 2012, 02:15:32 pm
When are we digging into the engine :huh:, I wanna wrench on that engine jaqham&*
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: lovebus (jack) on September 11, 2012, 07:19:06 pm
I used Dupli-Color paint for plastic on my top and it worked great, I washed and scuffed the surface with a red scuff pad before applying.
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on September 12, 2012, 10:03:37 pm
Ill swap you a can of Mother's Carnuba for your Banana Wax  byeby.,
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 3Gear on September 14, 2012, 09:25:55 am
When are we digging into the engine :huh:, I wanna wrench on that engine jaqham&*

Soon I hope, I am lookin at my schedule for weekends to see when works!!  the sooner that motor is in my basement and up on the stand the happier ill be!  And Thanks!  2@@cool
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Baha (Shawn) on September 14, 2012, 07:03:32 pm
Marc Miller just pulled one out & put it back in... A 2 hour Air Raid is all it would take
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 3Gear on September 17, 2012, 10:14:10 am
 I'll have to do a side by side test on the paint to see how much of a difference it is.    

So I did a side by side on the liftgate of the bus:

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8036/7995954150_e10c7a87b5_b.jpg)



Left- Mothers                                                                                                                              Right- Dr Ivan's Banana Wax



So with out question there is better color and clarity with the mothers process.  However it is a 3 step process.  IMHO if you have heavily oxidized paint that needs to be restored,  do the Mothers 3 step, but if your ride just needs some TLC, the Dr. Ivan's is a 1 step process with quite excellent results.
 
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8306/7995946707_f9720289d3_b.jpg)
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: kvbug (karen) on September 17, 2012, 03:22:26 pm
Pretty!!   thumpup)-
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: Bugaru "JAY" on September 17, 2012, 03:30:04 pm
 Hit that Baby with a 7" Buffer with foam pad and some light buffing compound, keep it wet.. You'd be surprised how it will blend and smooth out. Follow up with a good washing and then wax.. You won't beleive it was the same Bus..  "Note" if your not use to buffing out paint, pratice, prcatice, practice.. Like on your Baja 1st...   :confused04:;
Title: Re: It's Official, I have joined the Dark Side...
Post by: 3Gear on September 18, 2012, 08:37:14 am
Hit that Baby with a 7" Buffer with foam pad and some light buffing compound, keep it wet.. You'd be surprised how it will blend and smooth out. Follow up with a good washing and then wax.. You won't beleive it was the same Bus..  "Note" if your not use to buffing out paint, pratice, prcatice, practice.. Like on your Baja 1st...   :confused04:;

LOL Yea, having the right tools really makes a difference...  This was all done by hand...  Next time I'm at Harbor Freight, I'll look into a 7in grinder/ buffer...   Thanks  clap2-*