Thank you, it all takes a lot of time and faffing about to get it right. Would never be a profitable use of time if it were commercial.
What a great thread! Lovely to see this being brought back from the dead, many would have chopped it up! I’m sure it’s gonna be a great bus when finished!
Scurrys off to garage to look... I was using HB Body 989, then when that ran out I've moved to Kapci Coatings 880. Both are 2K direct to steel products.
Thank you James, I find it very satisfying making things from metal, and you have something to show for it at the end.
I’ve just read through from the beginning again Great skills fella I noticed the sticker on your pop top says motfalia instead of westfalia Proper made me chuckle that
Motfalia just about summed it up, there was also a oak leaf shaped sticker that at first thought it just said National Trust, but on closer inspection it actually read national rust. I've made a start on the rear seat belt mounts, these are 3mm plate doubled up to 6mm where the re-coil will attach. There is more to add to this vertically for the shoulder strap. More to follow here, I have a plan in mind just need to convert my thoughts to metal. I also replaced the internal gutter part of the panel as it had rusted off. There's always little brackets and odds n ends to make that really don't amount to much but eat time. Here's the left-hand heater vent cable bracket, and it's rusted equivelent. I managed to get a good layer of stone chip paint onto the wheel arches and outside part of the chassis. Once this had cured I was on to spraying some blue, I'm pleased with the result and means I can move onto the next part of the van. I however now resemble a Smirf, if with a pink face where my mask was. I guess you can work out the colour plan now, RAL5005 blue over Rover old English white. Engine bay being white, underneath blue.
I've been following your resto thread, I'd say your ahead of me with progress, I've been stuck repairing pillars and rear wheel arches for ages. For me it's an 18 month project. That maybe wishful thinking.
True but I started almost a year ago you may still be finished before me, actually, you may even be finished before I've done the wiring at this rate! Keep those pictures coming, and I'd love to know what techniques you're using for all your fabrication.
I’ve got a sheet metal folder which is great, but only for straight lines, and not for oppersite folds close together, it’s too clumsy. For everything else a lot can be done with a bolster chisel, vice, a selection of ball pein hammers, and a sand bag. Oh and lots of cutting, welding and smoothing with a flap disc in an angle grinder. If ever I’m unsure of the shape needed I’ll make it in card first.
Good advice. I always get the feeling that I want more tools for the job (can you ever have enough tools) but actually by simply being patient and persistent you can do a lot! I’m keen to see your tractors now too! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Suspension and brakes added for the rear, one corner panel and one window to complete then the back is done. I think the rest of the van should be less complicated, and I'll be pleased to get out of that engine bay. Brakes assembled, took a bit of a Q and A session on the mech tech section on the forum to understand what is correct, here is the finished set-up. Complete with new wheel nuts. And all new pipes, gromets, clips, back plate bungs, shocks, and bolts. The cat has also been flat out helping with the gearbox. No dogbox here.