Have started the bodywork on the Highroof bus, preparing for primer and paint. Lots of sanding to do, when that is done it’s time for a coat of epoxyprimer again, to protect bare metal, then a quick sanding before a coat of surfacerprimer is layer down. Then it needs to be sanded down all over again. Then probably another coat of surffacerprimer again and then maybe it’s time for topcoat paint in VW L20a Marino yellow. A lot of people think it’s just mix paint and spray, but it’s not like that…only in fantasy!
After alot of bodywork and sanding it was time for topcoat paint in VW Marsala Red H3D. Looks nice in red! Also got new Deepblack paint on the sun grey faded trim and parts like the front grills, handles, air intakes, wipers etc. I think all the black parts will match the black wheels perfect when its all together. The wheels from Germany will arrive this week and the other new VW parts from Just Kampers will be here tomorrow!
Time to sand the primer and fix small dents and scratches, and its alot of them both. When this is done a new coat of grey primer/filler is needed to get a good even base that needs a light sanding with 800 grit by hand before paint! Alot of work for sure!
All the places that have been sanded and sandblasted down to the bare metal have been painted with yellow 2k epoxy rust primer for protection. After this, all the small dents, scratches and imperfections in surface/metal after sandblasting etc have been filled up and sanded smooth and all the seams have been sealed up with new seamsealer. Then it was covered in yellow epoxyprimer again. When it was all dryed it just needed a light sanding before 3 coats of grey surfaceprimer was added. Now it has to dry a couple of days before it can be sanded down again, but this time more carefully and must be perfect! When this is done its ready for topcoat paint in VW Marsala Red H3H3.
Bumpers and some smaller parts is at the sandblasters at this moment and more new parts from Just Kampers in UK is on its way right now. Time to choose some cool wheels also, stay tuned for more pics and updates!
Maybe these 17″ wheels? 🙂
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These rusty wheels got a new life with some sandblasting and new paint!
Some updates! All windows are out, all rust is repaired and the body have been sanded. Now the body work can start and I hope to have it in primer next week. Then its ready for more sanding and smaller bodywork before topcoat goes on. Maybe VW Marsala red paint?
Almost finished with the Coke machine! I cut the metalsign up and converted it to a lite-up sign instead, this was an original option on these machines. Powdercoated the frame that was left in silvermetallic and installed two LED lightbars 3000K warmwhite color. Cleaned up the shelfs and compressor, checked all wires, oiled up the coin mechanism. Got all new emblems, locks and water decals on. Only waiting for the stickers on the sides of the machine “Have A Coke” the ones I got from US was in wrong color. Soon its time to load it up with bottles and just plug it in! The last final pics coming soon…
Looked like this 6 days ago (!) Quick turn around time!
Today I started to sand down the black surfacer/primer so it was all smooth! Found some new dents that needed to be fixed also. And when it was all done it was time for shooting the Coca-Cola red paint. It was a hardtime to find the paintcode. Maybe it is trademarked. But the paintshop sells paint directly to the Coca-Cola company in Sweden so they had all the codes. It turned out great, looking really good. Next up is mounting back all hardware, trims and logos etc. The sign was in metal on the machine but Im going to convert it to a light up sign instead and using modern LED lightning. Also going to check up the compressor and all wirings before its ready to be put in service.
Got some stuff done on the front beam/axle on the Highroof bus this week. Fitted new grease zerks to the beam, installed a new center swivelpin and bushings, test fitted the new brakebooster, 4 new needlebearings (made a tool so they were easy to pull out). They were seated 8mm inside the tubes. Used a old bearing to knock them in again, and then the tool the last bit. New dustcovers mounted too. Got the axle bolted up in the frame on the bus and during the weekend, I will start installing torsionarms, spindles, tierods etc. The bus starts to look really nice, atleast underneath! 😉 More pics coming soon!
Volkswagens original tool
Been in Barcelona, Spain with the family on a vacation and just got back home. Nice to see some sun instead of snow! 🙂 Going to start put together the front beam axle this week. I have all the new parts from JUSTKAMPERS waiting for it, and hopefully have it bolted back up in the frame on the bus. More pics coming soon!
Painting tons of chassi parts in Deepblack paint at the moment to the Highroof bus!
Doing some really boring work on the Highroof Baywindow at the moment. Specially when it’s -20 celsius outside. Removing all of the old undercoating. Work that takes alot of blood, sweat and tears and is not showing much later, but good to know it’s like new under also. Only going to drive it on the summers anyway. Next time I can start sanding the chassi and lay a coat of rust protection (epoxy primer). Then add a new layer of fresh undercoating, that sort thats possible to paint over. So when it have dried for some days I can paint all of the underside in top color, VW L20 Marino yellow. Ready for all the new parts, wires, hoses, grommets, bearings, bushings, balljoints, steering rods, brakelines, servobooster basicly every nut and bolt!
When the chassi is painted and ready I can start restoring the frontbeam, transmission and get the Eberspächer BA6 working again. A really good and clever heater, much better then the older BN4 ones. Will be nice on chilly mornings in the spring!
Still looking for some parts if someone have for sale? NOS parts for BA6 is intresting, like sparkplugs (BZE22) etc. Also looking for a pair of the slider rail metal covers (held with 2 screws). Engine cooling thin and heatexchangers is missing. Send me a mail on: info@maindrive.org
Chassi parts that are going to be sandblasted and painted/restored.
No more undercoating. Just some wires and tubes that needed to be removed before sanding and primer. Here you can see factory grey primer and the orange overspray from body. When I am done with this chassi it will be better and nicer than it was from factory for sure.
Color on chassi will be the same as on the body, original VW color, L20A Marino yellow. Period correct.
Can’t wait to start bolting on new parts on the painted chassi!
Yeah the winter season is definitely here. It’s -10 celsius (14 Farenheit) outside here in Sweden. But days like that are perfect for ordering new VW parts with a cup of coffee in the other hand. Im making a loong list of new parts for the Baywindow Highroof project and also new window rubbers etc for the VW T3 transporter. After 10 years of building VW’s I finally found a serviceminded VW part store that have great quality on their stuff too!
Im now buying all my new parts from JUSTKAMPERS instead. They are based in the UK but ships worldwide, cheap shipping prices and have the best service you will ever find from a VW shop. I can really recommend these guys, take a look at their website here!
I also got some stuff done on the Highroof, removed all brakes, masterbrakecylinder, booster, steeringrods etc front beam soon ready to get dropped down and put on the table for some restoration (new needle bearings, balljoints, bumpstops, kingpin bushings etc). Hope to get started on the metalwork on Benny’s T3 soon also…
#maindrivegarage on Insta
Stephan’s Baywindow have come a long way. Painted in primer tonight. The 2.0L engine have been overhauled as well and is soon ready to be installed. Question is; what color is it going to be?
Photo taken in 2008
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Tonight the gastank got some new paint, silvermetallic with clearcoat. Waiting on a new fuelsender before it gets mounted back in the car.
The new gastank looked so boring in black so it will get a new color today…
