Introducing 'Manfred'

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 8:17 am

Hinge and doors separated.

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 8:19 am

Hello Mr Gerson, i need a LHS dog leg for a '65.......

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 8:21 am

A frown from Manfred as the chop of the front clip reveal more rusty stuff.

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 8:23 am

Both rear quarters missing to the battery tray. Bumper supports rusted away.

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 8:25 am

Front end braced to keep him all together.

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 8:29 am

As you can see from the shots of the inside, the original colour is sea blue which was a great shade. A coat of bright blue was used on the outside at some stage and white on the roof. A red undercoat is also visible in some spots. I have seen a few threads on here about removing paint layers to get to the original colour - any tips?

nick62 · Post by **nick62** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 1:47 pm

Awesome work, big job but worth it

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 3:19 pm

Welcome to operation patinaback

Had nothing planned this arvo so armed with the advice of past dsk threads on paint removal i thought i'd give try and renew Manfreds original colour on the rear hatch.

As explained, his original colour is sea blue and he retains this shade on the inside. An 80's paint job saw a much brighter blue applied with a white roof. Much paint cracking is evident and it looks to have been sprayed not hand painted.

So here we go...

Can of Easy Off - $2.99
Rubber gloves - $2.50
Scourers - $1.20

Original patina - priceless

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 3:27 pm

Tried a test spot first to make sure it worked. The can said the process would work faster in a hot 'oven' so i baked the door in the 30 plus degrees QLD sun for a while which seemed to do the trick

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 3:34 pm

Looking good. The top and around the window came out great. The bottom part showing plenty of original grey undercoat and a little bit of bare metal. It looks like there may have been some sanding of the original paint before the bright blue was sprayed but not sure. I'm pretty stoked with the result.

Now i've just got two front doors, two cargo doors, engine lid, front nose, side panels and a roof to go............

I wonder if Al would let me spray this toxic stuff in the workshop???

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:56 am

Work on Manfred is progressing. Looking through some photos. Amazing what you find when you start digging in old cars.

Best 'rat' photo ever. Little fella got stuck in the rusted out chassis rail. what a way to go.

Last rego sticker still visible. Only been 32 years since the last road worthy... Anyone know someone who could get me a pink slip???

Came with original but patched up grey with white trim 1/3, 2/3 from seats. Have since acquired original (black) middle and rear seats.

Original wiring in good condition all things considered.

Speedo reads 89,000 miles. could be true. have sent away chassis and engine numbers to samba for verification.

Shaven · Post by **Shaven** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:05 am

nick62 wrote:Awesome work, big job but worth it

you think

id be trying some of that Easy Off on that orange flakey shit

thanks for sharing the pics... colour looks great. rub it back... apply clear coats

KombiMadness · Post by **KombiMadness** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:44 am

I love Sea Blue, definitely one of the best Splitty colours IMO!

You're doing a great job on Manfred. Agree with Shaven about preserving the Sea Blue.... it'll look awesome when you're finished. Have a look at Glen's '62 and the paint job he's preserved, if you haven't already

viewtopic.php?t=8698&start=195

You might need to get a local 'Holy Man' to say some words after you disturbed the rusty coffin of the Kombi Rat....

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:31 pm

Al and the boys continue the work. Lower cargo door suffered just like the rest of the bottom 6 inches. Prep with gerson replacement.

You can really see that original sea blue paint on the inside of the door. heres hoping some elbow grease will return the original patina. Its a great colour.

thebear · Post by **thebear** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:38 pm

LHS rear window before and after.

Introducing 'Manfred'

Door hinge

Old paint removal

Operation patinaback

operation patinaback

Operation patinaback

Best rat photo ever

cargo doors

LHS rear window