Home away from Home, on wheels.

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Raj
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by Raj »

ObnoxiousBlue wrote:Ordered tons of parts today...

New muffler
Tailpipe
CAT delete pipe
Exhaust merge pipe
Muffler straps
New Fast Fab accelerator pedal
Pedal return spring
Pedal hinge pin
Clutch pedal pad
Brake pedal pad
4 running yards plaid material
Front amber reflectors
New light bases
New canvas
New canvas tack strip
New canvas hinge protectors

the bus says.... ' thanks mike!'
Glenn wrote:I have to say, this "gruppe" is so much more than just a car club.
MrBreeze wrote: This is the DVG board. The threads flow as they flow.
Deal with it.
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ObnoxiousBlue
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by ObnoxiousBlue »

Finally getting around to my list. Better late, than never I suppose.
I have th BD extractor muffler on there now - it was great two years ago when I first got it, and it has held up far better than the EMPI quad tip I (and every bus driver) had used prior to BD releasing a "better option". That said, it is notorious for making the bus sound like it has a miss, lovingly dubbed "hiccups". I'm tired of the sound and decided it was time to go back to stock.
I picked up a complete exhaust at Camobelltown, which while in useable shape - wouldn't have been for long. I was more interested in the "crossover" which links the two exhaust/heater boxes. It is the only part you can't get new. I bought the new collector (the "U") as well as the CAT delete, muffler and tailpipe.

My gas pedal sticks, or more like bunds. So, I am replacing it with the FastFab pedal and the Buttys Bits balljoing linkage kit. Eliminating the pushrods, tophat and the angle stock that magically makes the pedal work now.

The pedals:
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I originally bought the polished aluminum, then found out there was a black version. So, went for that instead. Then, found out to return I'd have to pay shipping and a restock fee - not wanting to pay $30 to get the balance of $50 back, I figure I'll list the aluminum one. If you want it - lemme know. Word on TS is it is idea when upgrading the linkage.
http://www.buttysbits.com/throttle-kits.html

Then, recovering the rear seat - the mattress cover will come soon. I think I'm going to do the bottom of the mattress in vinyl rather than fabric too.

Replace the canvas, and install the hinge guards to protect it.

Add the front signal repeaters on the door reflectors and convert the rear side markers so they flash along with the directionals to add visibility.

Then have to replace the headlights - I was told by the funeral home mechanic that they met make the bus fail inspection since the chrome reflectors inside them have turned black... Dunno. But an easy fix. Looking at Cibies from Daniel Stern Lighting.

Also debating getting my Berg Finber Grip shifter converted to a bus model. I bout it for Reise but never installed it in anything. It's been hidden away for the past however many years. I'm just getting an inch to use it.
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ObnoxiousBlue
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by ObnoxiousBlue »

So, I'm getting moving in my top. My canvas was in good shape, but it was gray, had some stains and overall I just wanted the yellow.
I came home from work today and started removing the screws around the alumnus trim. I got all out, and in a jar then marked my trim pieces so I put them back in the same places.
I rolled my canvas up a bit and was able to get to the staple strip.
Now, I have bought new strip from BD, but am more concerned about the condition of the roof.
Can someone tell me, should I be worried about this? What should I do to preserve the integrity of the wood/strips where the canvas staples to?

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Tom
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by Tom »

Hard to see what is the problem here, is the wood coming off with the tack strip ?
I'm not an air cooled snob , I like them all !
Brown wrote:Tom is right!
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ObnoxiousBlue
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by ObnoxiousBlue »

The wood on the late bays is encapsulated inside the fiberglass roof panel. The staples came out but there were so many of them, that sone sections of the glass came with the staples.
Today, I removed any loose pieces of the Fiberglas, filled in these small sections with marine grade wood putty and am letting it cure overnight.
Tomorrow, I'll sand them smooth and lay a thin layer of fiberglass mesh over them.
Going to clean the flocking, hope to get rid of some mildew marks.
Once it's back on I'll lay on a cost of West Marine epoxy paint and replace the decals.
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Tom
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by Tom »

Sounds like a good plan. Have fun.
I'm not an air cooled snob , I like them all !
Brown wrote:Tom is right!
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Raj
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by Raj »

ObnoxiousBlue wrote:The wood on the late bays is encapsulated inside the fiberglass roof panel. The staples came out but there were so many of them, that sone sections of the glass came with the staples.
Today, I removed any loose pieces of the Fiberglas, filled in these small sections with marine grade wood putty and am letting it cure overnight.
Tomorrow, I'll sand them smooth and lay a thin layer of fiberglass mesh over them.
Going to clean the flocking, hope to get rid of some mildew marks.
Once it's back on I'll lay on a cost of West Marine epoxy paint and replace the decals.

Dont have vast experience in this but given the condition of your vehicle, might be overkill. But if time is not a factor, Id say you are doing the right thing. From what I have seen only severely abused tops have the wood rot, or separate from the structure. Id say that this top will prob now, out live us more so than it already was on track to do so. Kudos.
Glenn wrote:I have to say, this "gruppe" is so much more than just a car club.
MrBreeze wrote: This is the DVG board. The threads flow as they flow.
Deal with it.
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ObnoxiousBlue
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by ObnoxiousBlue »

Cleaned the flocking on the pop top today. Like many bays, my ceiling had started to turn a black mildewish color since the flocking tends to trap moisture.
I used Simple Green, a spray bottle of water, a Mr. Clean sponge and a soft scrub brush. There are a few spots where the flocking is faded just from age - but at least it's clean.

Then, finished some little patches in the wood rails, the Fiberglas covering had chipped away from all the staples in a few areas. So once it was patched, I painted on a new layer of fiberglass. I didn't use the reinforcement cloth, because I'm really just looking to seal the wood which was otherwise in good shape.
Once that cures in a day I'll staple in the corners of the new canvas

Also went through my BD order. Was a little annoyed that the exhaust - which delayed some of my shipment - had a dented muffler. I'm trying to see if the dents - which are admittedly small - will be visible.
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ObnoxiousBlue
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by ObnoxiousBlue »

Got quite a lot done on the roof today. Huge thanks to Ed and Carol for their help!
Brought the roof out today after some minor wood repairs and glassing. Also painted the inside of the cap just because it was accessible. I used white polyurethane boat topcoat paint. I went with that over regular Rustoleum because it has chemicals in it that prevent mildew, spores and staining. It is a bit more white than what is currently on the bus - which is also faded. I'll probably just roll with it. But may bring it to be tinted.
Cleaned the flocking and got the new canvas stapled in - thanks Tom and Ronnie for letting me use your stapler.
We also got most of the screws in on the roof of the bus, but the back is fighting us a bit so I'm gonna have to remove a few from the middle and secure the back corner better.

If the weather doesn't cooperate tomorrow, I'll probably do the rear seat upholstery.
Also, the top mattress has a lot of pulling. Does anyone have one of those couch shaver machines?

Still need to put some screws in so most of that remaining "slack" should go away. Also want to tighten up the front face of the tent and will steam it out once all the corners are in too.

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SUMTHING
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by SUMTHING »

Looks great!
we know that the early bird gets the worm however,
the second mouse gets the cheese.
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Glenn
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by Glenn »

Awesome job.
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine

"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

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AoT
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by AoT »

Looks like real pro job.

If you're taking out some of the staples to get the corner done find the middle of the section and staple,

then get the corner stapled. Then you can ease the rest of the fabrics into place. This means basically don't run a line of staples into place before you get all the corners in so that you don't run short. Use a staple as a holder until you have it squared and have the right alignment in case you have to reposition. Once you have the canvas in the corners then you can staple away to secure it to the frame. Don't want to have to keep removing staples and chewing up the wood.

:P
Keep working at it and it gets done!!
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BusBq Bill
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by BusBq Bill »

Nice job! :D
ObnoxiousBlue wrote: quickly diagnosed as a break in the wire, and in no more than a twiddle of his finger Peabody and I took it back to the pavement
"I will be Setting aside my trusty can of starter fluid"
EDNCAROL
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by EDNCAROL »

But wait there's more! :mrgreen:
Still Monkeying Around. Not afraid to tell you how I really feel.
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Tom
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by Tom »

Looks great Mike !
I'm not an air cooled snob , I like them all !
Brown wrote:Tom is right!
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by ObnoxiousBlue »

Finished the top today. Had to replace a few screws with one size larger.
Not 100% thrilled with one spot on the canvas - but for my first go at it, I hope any future attempts to go smoother.

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Then moved to the rear seat. Took a few hours...
Removed the hundreds of staples holding the original covers on, then reversed the pads which were still in good shape. Installed the new material, and had to make some adjustments on the bottom to make sure the stripes lined up.

Image

Tomorrow, I hope to install new front side marker lights on each front door.
May start sanding the roof.

Also bought track-guards for the roof hinges.
Still need to do the medal cluster.
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elrockk
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by elrockk »

nice job
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Raj
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by Raj »

Nicey nice! Looking great and done by yourself..... Perfection in my book.
Glenn wrote:I have to say, this "gruppe" is so much more than just a car club.
MrBreeze wrote: This is the DVG board. The threads flow as they flow.
Deal with it.
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Tom
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by Tom »

Really looks good Mike, are you going to tackle the front seats ?
I'm not an air cooled snob , I like them all !
Brown wrote:Tom is right!
AoT
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by AoT »

Looks fabulous. A tiny house renovation in progress!!

:P
Keep working at it and it gets done!!
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by ObnoxiousBlue »

Thanks guys. It's coming along.
Tom, front seats are already done - got them finished before Campbelltown.
Sanded the roof down today. 80, 100, 120 grit then cleaned off with sime thinner and rolled on the first cost of a marine topcoat poly. Will let it cure for the day, and tomorrow knock it down with a 220 before rolling on another coat.
Ordering new roof seals today, and getting a new Westy decal cut from black reflective vinyl.

Photos later.
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ObnoxiousBlue
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by ObnoxiousBlue »

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AoT
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by AoT »

Really worked hard on that roof and the new paint looks great. Looks like new.
Keep working at it and it gets done!!
Big_kid

Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by Big_kid »

Looks amazing!
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ObnoxiousBlue
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Re: Home away from Home, on wheels.

Post by ObnoxiousBlue »

Have to knock it down with some 220 grit and put on another coat. Depending on how that lays will dictate if I come back at it for a bit more or if I stop there. After reading on some boat sites, folks also suggest using a polish to help level out the final coat.
We'll see.
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