Hello all, maybe about to become a very late bay owner.

So I viewed the '71 bay, it had loads of rust issues (including some pretty heavy rot!) I really wish people knew how to describe condition better, "just one small area of bubbling" turned out to be both front arch lower front corners rotted right through, I could have twisted the drivers side corner totally off with just my hand. Loads of other rust all over as well from a failing restoration paintjob!

Err... and I did do something else though... I went back and re-negotiated a lower price with the seller of the last edition Brazilian bus I'd looked at and bought it! They may be lower quality than German, but I've got zero rust issues to deal with on as close to a new, ultra low mileage bus as it's possible to get without spending at least 50% more on similar condition German buses. I also quite like that it's weird compared to standard air cooled buses.

I'll be starting by totally and comprehensively rust proofing it inside and out after an initial deep clean and tending to some extremely slight surface rust at the edges of the arches where stone chipping has eroded the paint.

You all need to vote now if you want me to stick around and blog about it, or bugger off because it's a cheap, nasty Brazzy bus with a weird engine, cast your votes...

 

Well you feel like a regular now so stick around I say - if you are happy and enjoying yourself then that’s all that matters

 

Congratulations. You've got something that you are happy with...and that is all that matters.

Don't forget the pics in the Show Us Your Ride section

 

Clay bar to remove contaminants before polishing or waxing

 

Congratulations on your purchase
I’d get yourself a compressor a pressure pot cavity wax gun and cavity wax every possible place you can get too
I and many others on here use dynax s50

 

Are we talking about beards?

 

Nice one. We love lots of pictures so let's see what you've got!
As a few folk have mentioned above there are plenty of us with non-bay vehicles that generate some interesting conversations on here.
My baja resto thread seemed to be well received, and if everything goes to plan I may soon have an even older project coming my way

 

I Don't generally use clay bars, they can sometimes drag particulates. I prefer to use a decon. spray to get rid of iron particles, Autoglym Magma is what I've used lately to good effect. Then depending on how the paint is looking after washing, go straight to a light finishing polish or Farecla G3 for hand use if work is still needed. Then any minor paintwork repair, letting in stone chips and such until perfect as possible. Then it gets a coat of wax.

 

Yep, good advice, have all that stuff already in the workshop. Most recently I've been into Dinitrol (well by recent, the last time I needed to do this was about 7 years ago!) I'll look up Dynax, why do you think it's best?

 

Interesting, just how old? I've got a '54 model Oval Beetle too.

 

'64 RHD split project (potentially).

 

That'll be nice, how much work is it likely to be needing?

 

Must say, I do like how active this forum seems to be. The Brazilian forum on the other hand... Well, let's just say I'd not be surprised if tumbleweed graphics started to roll across the screen when I visit!

 

Let's just say it won't be ready for summer! In all honesty though for a RHD project it isn't that bad.
I'll probably start a resto thread if it all works out.

 

Congrats on the purchase and welcome aboard