... And so it begins.

Fathermarc · Post by **Fathermarc** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 12:01 pm

As some of you will be aware. I have been in possession of my bus (still no name) since the 23rd of March. At the weekends I've been busy and have replaced...
The braking system
The master cylinders
the shoes
the suspension
steering damper and tie rods.
Replaced the battery and have started it for the first time in a long time. It sounds awesome.

Over the past few weeks I been busy stripping the after market paint work with a view to restore the original dove blue body work. I started by burning the top coat of red off which was great and I achieved a lot in a day. Then as I progressed and unearthed sections where the previous owner had painted directly onto bear metal I decided introduce a chemical paint stripper. This was even faster and didn't touch the OG paint work if timed well. The exterior of the vehicle is in a fairly straight condition with a few dings here and there. The most obvious is the Left hand rear quarter which has taken a beating. I've removed all the filla and think that I shall attempt to tap the original panels back into shape. As for the rusted sections hiding beneath the paint...
R/H drivers door bottom
Front valance
Front nose 200mm up
L/H front window sill.
L/H lower A post behind the valance.
L/H foot well
L/H lower door
L/H lower B post
L/H wheel arch repair
Both really low cargo door skins
Under Cargo door rocker.
L/H roof section front
L/H short section rear.
Rear engine lid skin repair.

I will cut these out and TIG weld in new panels/sections. There doesn't seem to be that much rust to cut out for a 65 year old vehicle. I must admit removing the paint was a little hairy at times especially when I unearthed a patch of filla. I was half expecting huge holes rusted through but most of the filla was slapped over dings which are popping out with a heat gun.

I completed the external stripping last weekend and have now ventured into the interior. Which has meant the removal of all the windows, seats and everything that is removable. So since buying I have gone backwards at an alarming rate. My neighbors think that I'm bonkers for stripping it back to a shell. Although I have been found doubting myself at times I know that it's the right course of action and that identifying the trouble now is better in the long run.

I have been taking photos of the stages and will download them shortly. I received a TIG welder the other day and have purchased the torch, gas and all sundries in preparation for teaching myself how to weld. So far Youtube videos have been my teacher. I have ordered a few GREEN body panels for the important exterior sections and a few ENGLISH panels for the not so visually important areas. Budget must play in to the factoring. All GREEN would have been nice! The repairs I will make up sections to weld in as I go. I'm nervous but excited.

As for the patchwork quilt of paint I'm thinking to strip it all back now and prime it with a zinc rich primer and blow her over for now. We'll see haw that develops.

So the restoration begins.

Leroy · Post by **Leroy** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 7:44 pm

Sounds Awesome!! Can't wait to see the pics

Fathermarc · Post by **Fathermarc** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 9:13 pm

What's the proceedure for uploading photos on this site?

kombi niko · Post by **kombi niko** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 10:05 pm

cant wait to check out your work, to post pics you need to use some thing like photobucket then transfer them across.

Dutchy · Post by **Dutchy** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 8:44 am

if you keep your file size down there is an area to upload pics direct from your computer at bottom of post entry page too.. browse for pic then upload

kombi niko · Post by **kombi niko** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 9:25 am

Cheers for that Dutchy didn't see that section

gazztan · Post by **gazztan** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 8:39 pm

Hi Mark,

Is this the splitty I delivered for you in Sydney?
Would love to see some pics of your progress, sounds like you've done a heap of work.
Cheers!!

Gaz

Fathermarc · Post by **Fathermarc** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 8:30 pm

Hi Gazztan,

yeah this is the Kombi you delivered to Sydney. I've been busy over the past few months stripping her back, learning to weld and have begun to cut out the rust and replace with new metal. It's been a slow process but I'm only working on her at the weekends and only in daylight. I have the neighbors to remain friends with. I've tried to load up images countless times on here but it's tricky. I'm going to have another stab right now. Finger crossed.

How's the Barn door coming along? Was it as nice as you thought it was gonna be?

Say hi to your mum from me the next time you see her.

Regards,
Marc

Fathermarc · Post by **Fathermarc** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 8:39 pm

Nope....

Lets try again... Lower file size.

warb · Post by **warb** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 8:43 pm

try upload as a jpg not pdf.

Fathermarc · Post by **Fathermarc** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:10 pm

Excellent!
Thank you for doing that... Now you've started something.

Fathermarc · Post by **Fathermarc** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:26 pm

OK now I should be able to show you all what I'm up to at the weekends...

warb · Post by **warb** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:33 pm

hmmm, rubber gloves and men in stubbies.. no thanks, id rather hear about the bus

..

Fathermarc · Post by **Fathermarc** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:46 pm

OK lets have a go...

warb · Post by **warb** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:48 pm

nice one, not enough pop top busses, suits em me thinks..

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