from Old English White to green moss and rust

[SPROCKET321]

finally the left front wing is done, bolted up strong and in the correct profile. Very happy with that, large hurdle crossed. no what's next....

Here I go with the right side wing, This one might not be so long and difficult as most of the retained nuts seem to be in place and serviceable, don't know for sure until I try a test fit. These brand new pattern wings are generic to several models of beetle, so they partially fit all, but none particularly well, all need a bit of fettling. But it makes them economically sound to produce, as they sell more of them. So, ready steady go...

 

[SPROCKET321]

I can't believe it, it bolted up right away. The car angels are shining down on Mickey and me. Not a bad fit as it goes, just two nuts to clear out at the front and a small adjustment to raise it about 3mm. This is the first time I've seen Mickey with all four wings on. The originals were in a terrible state and the right rear was off and laying on the tire. Come a long way. Soon it'll be time for a general flatting back and a coat of primer paint.

time now for a cup of tea and put my feet up, more tomorrow.

 

[Ecosse]

as a reference for wing fit, and this is a bit of thread cross over from here and the Arrse modelling thread, I have a 1200 kit.
View attachment 663408
this is better than a photo, I can turn the model in my hands and check it from all angles. The rear wing to skirt fot does show the gasket piping running down between the panels.
View attachment 663409
View attachment 663411
and the front wing to quarter panel fit shows how little of the QP bottom edge shows.
View attachment 663410
I'll keep this model shell on the workshop window sill for quick reference.
View attachment 663412

Flat hubcaps bud.
I think your model is a 1500cc.
They did a semi-Auto of it....same chassis that got front disk brakes and double jointed rear swing axles to tame the dreaded "lift off- tuck under - terminal oversteer trait.


Flatties came out with first 1300 mills...I think.
My Dads 1200a '65 had domed hubcaps.
The engine cover later was reworked, different bootlight as your model displays as well.
Dad & car a year before he topped himself.....and left me to sell it.

 

[SPROCKET321]

Finished the wing this morning, had to drill out two retained nuts, then wound in two new bolts and washers having adjusted the wing up 3mm then tightened down all the bolts.

with that task completed it's time to prep for the next stage, painting the whole body in Primer. But first there's some tasks to perform, first, removing the last electrical mechanical component, the wiper motor mechanism assembly.

taping down the wiper spindles gently with a hammer once the retaining nuts are wound off.

undoing the retaining nut that holds the motor to the retaining frame under the scuttle.

and out, leaving a space to be cleaned up and painted.

the assembly out for inspection.

I have three of these, two more came with the spares in the original purchase, so i'm sure I'll be able to make one good one out of three.

 

[SPROCKET321]

the clips for the chrome trim strips will come out tomorrow. This will allow me to sand the whole body shell.

some new one's on order from E bay,£5 including postage, whereas, they're £10 from the Heritage center.

 

[anglo]

I can't believe it, it bolted up right away. The car angels are shining down on Mickey and me. Not a bad fit as it goes, just two nuts to clear out at the front and a small adjustment to raise it about 3mm. This is the first time I've seen Mickey with all four wings on. The originals were in a terrible state and the right rear was off and laying on the tire. Come a long way. Soon it'll be time for a general flatting back and a coat of primer paint.
View attachment 664795
time now for a cup of tea and put my feet up, more tomorrow.

Are you removing the wings for spraying, or spray in situ, either way the wings have got to come off
again to fit the Wing Beading

 

[mufftickler]

The way i used to do it along with many other professionals, is Da sander with 180 grit, then high build primer.
Guide coat and wet hand flat with 600/ or 800 grit. Good luck.

 

[robinrocket111]

The way i used to do it along with many other professionals, is Da sander with 180 grit, then high build primer.
Guide coat and wet hand flat with 600/ or 800 grit. Good luck.

Nah! All over NATO Green!

 

[JuniorBod]

Nah! All over NATO Green!

Better still, stolen IR black applied by roller to a US registered vehicle, Munster 1986 ish...

 

[robinrocket111]

Better still, stolen IR black applied by roller to a US registered vehicle, Munster 1986 ish...

More Int required

 

[LARD]

More Int required

Did something similar to a blokes Mini Pickup at Barry Buddon. Painted everything (I mean everything) with NATO green with sand mixed in. It looked ace. Sadly can't find the pictures.

 

[SPROCKET321]

Nah! All over NATO Green!

I would consider painting it British Army Olive Green circa 1948 if it were an early KDF Wagen, one of those Major Ivan Hirst made for what was to become HQ BAOR.

 

[SPROCKET321]

Plucking the old clips out using pliers, the first one left the dome of the pip sticking out the hole in the panel. But I could tap it out and catch it underneath.

the other two so far, came out intact.

neat clean hole ready to be sanded over.

 

[JuniorBod]

More Int required

Twas an old style VW camper van with 2 extra added fuel tanks from an Opel cadet and vauxhal astra if I recall strapped up with galv strapping and bondo, complete with 3 way switch over gear under the drivers seat...

Other than that... Ancient PerSec m'boy...

JB

 

[Slime]

Plucking the old clips out using pliers, the first one left the dome of the pip sticking out the hole in the panel. But I could tap it out and catch it underneath.
View attachment 665186
the other two so far, came out intact.
View attachment 665187
neat clean hole ready to be sanded over.
View attachment 665188

I was going to post that you could just push the rod in and reuse the originals, but assumed you wanted to fit new clips for ease.

 

[SPROCKET321]

After an overall sanding of the complete exterior, I panel wiped the whole shell and gave Coat of grey etch primer from a can to areas I'll be concentrating on over the next few weeks, mainly the quarter panels. These have all been substantially repaired and as such need a lot of time getting them flat.

I'll be starting with this one. You can see the variation from the new repair panel and the old original above it, the new paint coat highlights what I've still got to do..

I dug out my spray gun from the garage shelf, haven't used this for years, I hope I gave it a good clean after I'd finished spraying my Morris minor pickup. I'll be studying how to strip, clean and assemble this over the next few weeks. I'll have it ready in time.

 

[SPROCKET321]

now I can see where the problems lie, a coat of filler freshly applied, allowed to dry overnight before sanding to profile, then filler to fill the gouges, then sanding those, then more filler lightly applied as we go along. alternating the paper to finer as well.

 

[LARD]

now I can see where the problems lie, a coat of filler freshly applied, allowed to dry overnight before sanding to profile, then filler to fill the gouges, then sanding those, then more filler lightly applied as we go along. alternating the paper to finer as well.
View attachment 665348
View attachment 665349

Coming along nicely @SPROCKET321.

I sometimes watch US customs car programs on TV and they seem to have an odd habit of completely covering the car in filler (or 'bondo' in their parlance) and then sanding back to profile. I'm sure this is not due to the body having been attacked by kids with toffee hammers, so is it just to get a flawless paint finish or what?

 

[Truxx]

If you know that they are going to fit because you have tried them (at least a dozen times in my experience) then paint them off the car. Especially if space etc is limited and you are not in a booth. You can position the panels with good all around access and can ensure they are at optimum angle to minimise the chances of them collecting dust.

 

[Truxx]

Nah! All over NATO Green!

With a 2 inch brush and XG279 smeared over everything not due to be green.