An idiots attempt at a 56' resto!!!

[mullerbugs]

Ok firstly i'll apologise for any dodgy work or bodge jobs, i'm no expert just a vw nut who can't afford a schmick bus and secondly I can't really afford to have someone do it up for me.

I've spent endless hours watching Overhauling, Pimp my Ride, West Coast Customs, Wheeler Dealers and the likes so i'm about the best armchair mechanic there is! In reality, i like to give things a go and the worse case scenario is that i'll reluctantly have to spend some cash and get someone to do it for me.

To get you up to speed i did post in the "New faces" section a while back. Here's the link:

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=16600

and heres a couple of shots of it delivered and sitting at what will be home!











I've started tinkering around but will keep things posted as regularly as i can, i really enjoy the Members rides and projects section on any forum and DSK has been the source of much inspiration so hopefully this will serve its purpose and if anything be a "How NOT to do a restoration" for any budding enthusiast.

I'll post more later but duty calls!!

[splitbus]

Mate, hold your head high, we all started somewhere, have you got another front cut to replace that nasty one of yours

[MID WEST DUBBER]

Stay positive mate! All the best with the resto, will keep an eye on this one for sure

[Ian 68]

You'll do it mate, it may take a while and will cost you lots of time and skinned knuckles but the day will come when you drive it out that shed and trust me, it's all worth it and then some.

Please don't paint it !!

Best

Ian

[Dibsy]

Looking forward to this thread, i am doing the same thing with a 1957, although mine is in a bit worse state !

[Cam Biscuit]

Likewise I hope to kick off early next year on a '67.

Good luck mate!

[mullerbugs]

Cheers for the encouragement chaps, thanks to Ian 68 who I only
met last week for the first time I've sourced a complete front end from a donor car saving me a stack of money and using original metal, due to be delivered early in the new year so pretty excited.

Ian, big thanks bud, def owe you a few drinks!

I got out in the shed and started messing with the roof, that huge dent was bugging me so after a bit of work on my back I got the big one out but the metals pretty stretched, after watching a you tub vid on metal shrinkage and an attempt of the heat and cool treatment I got less of a dent and harder metal. Middles still flimsy but I need longer arms or a ladder and more gas!



Have also seen people use shrinking disks anyone use them or are theya gimmick???

With no ladder and prob bit scared to do more damage then good I started on the driver side long panel, first the wheel arch...



This how it started, bought myself a hammer and dolly set and a slide hammer and got stuck in.



The bloody slide hammer was starting to do my head in, after nearly going flying through the shed wall as the screw of the slide hammer came free suddenly and the breaking of my cheapie drill bits I got the clamps and mole grips out and with a bit of pent up aggression twisted the metal back into shape...ish. A bit of smashing around with dolly and hammers and its not looking too bad. If I knew what I was doing I might be dangerous!!!



Got to weld the crease/ tear in the metal as it seems to be loosing strength in the panel but once that's done should be ok. Something very satisfying about smashing metal into shape neighbours prob don't agree but then I don't agree with them waking me up every weekend at 6am with their loud mouth squabbling and pesky ferrell kids....payback.

[splitbus]

Nice work

[baykruzer]

Good to see you getting stuck in mate. Congrats

[Ian 68]

Shane,

My pleasure mate, I've lost count of the people that have helped me over the last few years.

1 of the guys that helped me out big time once said to me " give a dollar take a dollar " what goes round comes round mate...

The work your doing is a small step towards a finish line, it's way off but you will do and when your stuck ask on here and you'll get the answer for sure.

The blokes on here who have forgot more than I know ...

Keep on keepin on mate..

[h]

great work, keep at it
results look good
keeping an eye on your thread
cheers pauly

[Tonz Magonz]

I'm no metal expert but have picked up a few clues along the way..

Bringing any repair work back to basics ,may help you with some of the more daunting jobs..

Sheet metal starts as a certain thickness and softness.. Hammering damaged metal excessively will stretch and harden therefore, reduce the thickness of the material and making it less flexible.
"Shrinking" will return some of the thickness to the metal but there is a point where it stops and the material may also become brittle and begin to break when you attempt to bend it..

Keeping this in mind ,will assist with learning when a section can be beaten back into shape or will need to be cut out and replaced..

Start on the smaller areas less visible and work up to the larger panels as your skills develop..
Plenty of experience and well meaning advice on here, so continue to share and everyone benefits..

My 2c.

Keep the pics and questions coming ..

Cheers Tony

[Leroy]

Awesome to see a build thread started on this thing! Keep the pics coming, and don't be afraid to ask questions. I absolutely love the patina on your bus. It's going to be bad ass once its done. Please don't paint it...........

[Ian 68]

Awesome to see a build thread started on this thing! Keep the pics coming, and don't be afraid to ask questions. I absolutely love the patina on your bus. It's going to be bad ass once its done. Please don't paint it...........

Indeed mate...DO NOT PAINT THIS BUS, it's taken the sun wind rain and all the elements to bring the PATINA out ...It's taken 50 ++ years...ha ha Penatrol / anchor wax POR 15 CLear whatever but please don't paint it !

[mullerbugs]

Don't worry boys I'm not looking to paint it anytime soon as it was the weathered paintwork that got me excited when I saw it sitting on the trailer.

My only concern is trying to make the bits I work on and cut out and replace look in keeping but otherwise I think anchor wax will be my best friend...

Cheers for the advice Tony, I did think that heating and cooling may turn the metal brittle but wasn't sure so glad I erred on the side of caution with the roof.