25 Window VW/Porsche Microbus

[89AKurt]

22 hours ago, espo said:

I like what you did with that engine cover beyond the magnets.  

Well hold on pardner, check this out.... ?

Added LED light and fiber optics!  I've been wanting to try this for years.  Had a vague idea what to do, when it came to slicing and dicing, it was Seat Of The Pants Engineering time.  I know you can buy tiny LED lights, but this was free in the junkmail, a dealer sent out a promotion with this box, you pull a plastic tab and the light shines the number, which just happens to match the card, so you go into the dealer and get suckered into thinking you won something.  The fiber optics are from the railroad model world.  Started with tube from a scavenged radio antenna, it has holes drilled in the side so I could see inside during the process.  Coffee can steel is another resource.

Used the hot-wire to cut down the box, think it's PVC plastic.  I need to be able to switch on/off, and replace the batteries, made a hinged lid with the steel and scavenged screws from an electronic device.  Cut strips of aluminum tape to bind the "wires" like a real car wiring loom, first glue in was into the brass tube (still not done in this picture).

Drilled holes in the chassis, plan was out of sight such as under the seat, and down the side cabinet.  I just wanted to get all this laid in last night (stopped at 2AM).  Two fiber optics fell out during the process, I discovered, found on the floor. ?  Cut the canvas roof left-over piece to help glue in the box.

I'm just happy it turns on and works, it has to be in just right to stay on.  Next is to run to the ends and glue or tape in place.  When I paint, will keep the ends long, and cut for the final step.  Again, first time I ever attempted such a thing, which is why it sat in the box for many years.

[espo]

8 minutes ago, 89AKurt said:

Well hold on pardner, check this out.... ?

Added LED light and fiber optics!  I've been wanting to try this for years.  Had a vague idea what to do, when it came to slicing and dicing, it was Seat Of The Pants Engineering time.  I know you can buy tiny LED lights, but this was free in the junkmail, a dealer sent out a promotion with this box, you pull a plastic tab and the light shines the number, which just happens to match the card, so you go into the dealer and get suckered into thinking you won something.  The fiber optics are from the railroad model world.  Started with tube from a scavenged radio antenna, it has holes drilled in the side so I could see inside during the process.  Coffee can steel is another resource.

Used the hot-wire to cut down the box, think it's PVC plastic.  I need to be able to switch on/off, and replace the batteries, made a hinged lid with the steel and scavenged screws from an electronic device.  Cut strips of aluminum tape to bind the "wires" like a real car wiring loom, first glue in was into the brass tube (still not done in this picture).

Drilled holes in the chassis, plan was out of sight such as under the seat, and down the side cabinet.  I just wanted to get all this laid in last night (stopped at 2AM).  Two fiber optics fell out during the process, I discovered, found on the floor. ?  Cut the canvas roof left-over piece to help glue in the box.

I'm just happy it turns on and works, it has to be in just right to stay on.  Next is to run to the ends and glue or tape in place.  When I paint, will keep the ends long, and cut for the final step.  Again, first time I ever attempted such a thing, which is why it sat in the box for many years.

Wow, so the battery box is in the engine compartment ? Where all are you running the lights too ? Is Red the only color choice ?  All very amazing. Living where I do the local Dealerships only send us a flat "key" made out of some unusable metal.  

[89AKurt]

2 minutes ago, espo said:

Wow, so the battery box is in the engine compartment ? Where all are you running the lights too ? Is Red the only color choice ?  All very amazing. Living where I do the local Dealerships only send us a flat "key" made out of some unusable metal.  

Yes.  3 sizes of "wire", 2 big to taillights, which are little round vintage looking but clear lens, so will be a hybrid "Alteza" look.  2 medium will go to the headlights, and one to the nitrous bottle box.  I had planned another for the dash, but that disappeared during fabrication.  4 small (lost #5) will go to the floor at the side doors.  Yea, I've received the brass keys too, which go into recycle to sell.

[espo]

1 minute ago, 89AKurt said:

Yes.  3 sizes of "wire", 2 big to taillights, which are little round vintage looking but clear lens, so will be a hybrid "Alteza" look.  2 medium will go to the headlights, and one to the nitrous bottle box.  I had planned another for the dash, but that disappeared during fabrication.  4 small (lost #5) will go to the floor at the side doors.  Yea, I've received the brass keys too, which go into recycle to sell.

I guess I'm not understanding the color for the headlights. I'm seeing the color red in your photos, is it possible to control the color ? I'm thinking white would be best for headlights and maybe even the interior lights.  The red nitrous lights make sense.  

[Tom Geiger]

I was thinking of this project last night. I was watch this weeks “Restoration Garage” off my DVR and a guy demonstrated all the working features on a Westfalia camper from the early 1960s. He assembled the side tent, which included a private area for a portable potty.  The middle seat broke down into a bed, while the front seat became bunk beds. Interesting demo!

[89AKurt]

13 hours ago, espo said:

I guess I'm not understanding the color for the headlights. I'm seeing the color red in your photos, is it possible to control the color ? I'm thinking white would be best for headlights and maybe even the interior lights.  The red nitrous lights make sense.  

Dosen't matter, screwed up anyway.

10 hours ago, Tom Geiger said:

I was thinking of this project last night. I was watch this weeks “Restoration Garage” off my DVR and a guy demonstrated all the working features on a Westfalia camper from the early 1960s. He assembled the side tent, which included a private area for a portable potty.  The middle seat broke down into a bed, while the front seat became bunk beds. Interesting demo!

A side tent, don't recall those... and funny you thought of this.  I just checked out a Facebook group for VW, many versions of campers being built.

Since this was my first attempt, the learning curve was so steep that I almost went over the cliff.  Added steel clips, drilled holes to run the "wires".  Found out that you can't bend sharp angles, any stress will break, and it's hopeless to glue end to end.  So headlights won't be lit at all.  The severed f-o is repurposed to be floor lights.

Ripped out all that going to the front. ?

Added foil tape in the hope to stop any glow.

Did something easy, license plate holder, so the plate will be up when driving, lowered behind the bumper in party mode.  Added arm rests to the Captain chair, and fixed the hinge.

I didn't have the thin wall steel tubing before, so modified the exhaust tips.

Screwed up the taillight leads too, so ripped those out, and was lucky that I could tap to the LED for new runs, without 90 degree bends.

I'm going to paint flat black inside to help reduce errant glow.  Added the taillight locations, which are higher so the optic fiber won't have to bend, and I just wanted to make it more custom.   The lenses came from the Tamiya Isuzu Vehicross, plan to keep them clear like the Alteza look.

[89AKurt]

Done with major fabrication work.  Have a bunch of small details to make, but it's time to start blowing paint.

No glue, don't breathe! ?

[89AKurt]

First paint, Tamiya primer.  Funny how every flaw shows up when this is done, even missed a sliver of Scotch tape on the body.  Also seemed like I squirted a gallon of paint, so much area when doing the inside too.

[afx]

Really impressed with how you incorporated the 911 roof.  I wasn't convinced it would work but you pulled it off very nicely.

[espo]

Besides being an amazing build, the short time in which it has come together. Your Wheels have always been what I have associated with anything in the VW/Porsche line. 

[89AKurt]

5 hours ago, afx said:

Really impressed with how you incorporated the 911 roof.  I wasn't convinced it would work but you pulled it off very nicely.

Thanks!  My first pass was not satisfactory, because I did not think of rotating the back window 180 degrees.

15 minutes ago, espo said:

Besides being an amazing build, the short time in which it has come together. Your Wheels have always been what I have associated with anything in the VW/Porsche line. 

Don't forget, I built the majority of this years ago.  I have not added up the hours yet, but on page 4 now.  The wheels are iconic, I know there are aftermarket sets available, but it's probably cheaper to find a good deal on eBay or a swap meet.

[Rusty92]

Impressive skills! I will take one in 1:1 please!

[Mattilacken]

Really cool build! Love your ideas with the Porsche theme! What does the baking soda do with the super glue? 

[89AKurt]

8 hours ago, Rusty92 said:

Impressive skills! I will take one in 1:1 please!

Thank you.  It will cost you $250,000 for starting with a good Safari, then at least a million to butcher it like this. ?

5 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

Really cool build! Love your ideas with the Porsche theme! What does the baking soda do with the super glue? 

Thank you, if you check out the Porsche Outlaws & Hot Rods thread, it's amazing what they are doing nowadays, I started this before that trend really got started.
Baking soda sets off the superglue, and creates a filler.  The drawback is the tiny chunks of baking soda that don't get infused with glue, melt when the body is washed, so I'm always discovering tiny holes when paint goes on.  Makes a really strong body too.

Lockdowned myself in the hobby room all day, avoided people like the freaking plague! ?  It's a super feeling to finally get to this stage after 17 years.
Modified this clamp, drilled holes for cut shirt pins (head is cut off), so the aluminum bottle (TJ Models) could be held, did not trust it staying on masking tape.

This is my high tech paint drying booth, using free sun.

Decided on the color theme, many projects I do is the last minute, whatever I'm in the mood for and what paint hasn't dried up, is chosen.  I'm doing kevlar-fiber for the roof, so the seat inserts will be cloth, splattered custom mixed yellow.

The primary color is Testors 'tangerine yellow'.   Some pictures I have for inspiration, show yellow is usually the other half, thought it should be adjacent to the top.  I masked the primer, didn't wish to risk the yellow to show through the other color.

Secondary color is nail 'polish' that I got from Dollar Tree, I think it's richer than the Model Master purple, and didn't care to do a color shift purple that I have (requires painting black first).   So tested it on the bumpers, seems to lay down well.

The Fuches wheels needed to be painted, I developed this technique with my Porndy project.  A previous Porsche was all black in the center.  I thought it would pop to have yellow wheels, seen some Outlaws with yellow wheels and think it looks cool.  Dabbed Titebond glue on the lug nuts to mask.  Again, last minute decision.  Painted the back Alclad 'aluminum' first.  One trick I do on all Tamiya kits, is take off the inner lip and narrow the rims.

Engine is painted Alclad 'aluminum' and 'stainless steel', and Model Master buffing gunmetal.  Resin VW emblem that I made, and gas cap (from the Tamiya Vehicross) are now painted.

I'm happy with making this much progress today.  ?

Picked the finish materials, the Scale Motorsport kevlar-fiber decal and houndstooth upholstery, adhesive black carpeting, and the craft paper.

[Mattilacken]

Great progress! Love to follow! 

[89AKurt]

I should have enjoyed the day, but wanted to do the kevlar-fiber decal.  It's going to take a bunch of fiddly touch-up, and spray over with something.  Or maybe a bunch of bird poop splattered all over.... ?

But at least I can do kit gauge decals still.

[NOBLNG]

Just came across this thread recently. Fantastic job so far. I love the colour and those wheels look REALLY sharp!

[espo]

Bird Poop ? Why not. The contrast between the two colors should really get your attention. I love the way you finished the wheels. The dash is great also. 

[89AKurt]

5 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Just came across this thread recently. Fantastic job so far. I love the colour and those wheels look REALLY sharp!

Cool ? appreciate the comment.

2 hours ago, espo said:

Bird Poop ? Why not. The contrast between the two colors should really get your attention. I love the way you finished the wheels. The dash is great also. 

Since I do bug splatters on the front anyway.....
Touched up with yellow in spots, then sprayed gloss clear with a little gloss black over the top, helped a little to disguise the errors.

[espo]

1 hour ago, 89AKurt said:

Cool ? appreciate the comment.

Since I do bug splatters on the front anyway.....
Touched up with yellow in spots, then sprayed gloss clear with a little gloss black over the top, helped a little to disguise the errors.

I'll have to remember about the cover up idea. Now if I could just get Cows to fly mine would look like a Sunday drive in the country. 

[89AKurt]

☝️? I thought it was pigs.

Not an update, more like a memory download.  This project was started the same day as this Slantnose Speedster, opened three kits that day.  That project sat in the box for years too, was finished a few years ago.  The Speedster parts contributed to this Microbus.  The Clubsport cover was used on the Porsche 959 camera car recently.  I'm a nut. ?

[89AKurt]

Painted the purple.  Made an extra effort to mask, but still have two very small areas of overspray.  What I'm not thrilled about, it was going great, until the last refill of paint, then it started the dreaded orange peel, the doors are good enough, the body will annoy the heck out me.... ?  I should have followed my hunch, better to mask an edge on flat, not curved as the Tamiya tape did not stay down, saw that happening before I started spraying so aimed down and away from that edge.  Something I did think ahead about, masking the grill, did not want paint flooding the detail.

[89AKurt]

What's with the ads mixing in with the forum list? ?  Painted the primary color for the interior.  I was going to do grey, but have to mix it because the German tank builders have hoarded all the grey paint, this is Africa Korps sand.  The inside of the body needs to be painted to, wanted to match.

Had to set up to see how it looks.   The kevlar fiber decal is bugging the **** out of me.

[espo]

Sounds like some quality sanding time. That is a bummer. I like the seat colors also. The reason I mentioned Cows instead of Pigs is that the Cow's offer better coverage and more interesting splatter patterns. 

[89AKurt]

Yep, good thing I still have some paint left.  Talking about cow/pigs doing their thing, the ads are doing their part. ?