[PAVAN KADAM]

Well,

I am Back.....

Work at the workshop has been on a slow and steady pace in my absence, but i am happy at the progress.

I am not too happy about the way the front Grille has come out, this will be reworked today.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Work is crawling slowly at the workshop only because my Beetle is getting some Much required Attention.

Also, since the body work is done, i am waiting for the mechanicals to be fitted.

Earlier things were just placed on, but now they are fully fitted and Functional.

Last Sunday the mechanic came by and fitted all the brake pipes, gearbox , propeller shaft and few more fittings on the Chassis. The Centre brake distribution pipe broke and thats left to be done tomorrow.

Since the Chassis is DONE, i wanted the 3M masking cover to cover up the Chassis as we are mounting the Body ON to the Chassis tomorrow. Had ordered with my supplier last week, and finally got hold of it today

[samsag12]

Nice to view the progress on the bug, is the body work over or is there any area still left to be tinkered.
Really like the professionalism towards the restoration work with all the quality material being used. BTW how much did the 3M film costs and whats the key features of the same apart from preventing over sprays and accidental spills. Just keen to know.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by samsag12

Nice to view the progress on the bug, is the body work over or is there any area still left to be tinkered.
Really like the professionalism towards the restoration work with all the quality material being used. BTW how much did the 3M film costs and whats the key features of the same apart from preventing over sprays and accidental spills. Just keen to know.

Your 1111 posts here

Well, all the materials used during this restoration is Top Class.

The Etching primer is from STANDOX

The Body filler is American 3M

Surfacer is DUPONT

You know, its always easy and trouble free to restore cars for "FRIENDS" they understand all the nitty gritties and give you a Free Hand and most importantly TRUST with the finances.

I have spent close to 1.75 lacs on the car, with each and every tiniest of details shared over xl sheet and corresponding pics of work done.

The only things expensive are spares from Italy, most of which till date have costed us close to 60K. And 1 lac worth spares yet to be ordered.

The masking cover costs Rs 150/- and i have got it to cover the chassis, only to avoid it getting dirty during the body work. But its not available easily with most of the suppliers.

[samsag12]

Ah. thanks for pointing out the figure, (see purely unintentional ) As you truly said, restoration for friends do come with ease and there s nothing formal about it. It seems joy is leaving no stone unturned in getting this car done up which is clearly visible through the amount spent till date. Hope this quality workmanship continues till the end.

BTW whats the catch behind your signature?
Will be dropping a few PMs to you as i need assistance in painting procedure, technique & material to use on old cars.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Work on my Beetle actually halted the Mouse work for over a Week.

But since as on yesterday the Tinker had completed work on my car, we started assembling few small components of the chassis, the Brake pipe connecting to the front wheels CUT

Rushed to the mechanic, he's working on attaching the threaded ends to a new pipe. The problem is this particular size does not match any car in the present market.

[mbz180]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Since the Chassis is DONE, i wanted the 3M masking cover to cover up the Chassis as we are mounting the Body ON to the Chassis tomorrow. Had ordered with my supplier last week, and finally got hold of it today

Hi Pavan,

I like the way the chassis is looking. You seem to have obtained just the right balance of the matte and gloss blacks. The red also makes it look sporty. Overall, I like it very much.

Regards
Prithvi

[manishalive]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Work on my Beetle actually halted the Mouse work for over a Week.

But since as on yesterday the Tinker had completed work on my car, we started assembling few small components of the chassis, the Brake pipe connecting to the front wheels CUT

Rushed to the mechanic, he's working on attaching the threaded ends to a new pipe. The problem is this particular size does not match any car in the present market.

They seem similar to the one used in our fiats (the ones with API system).

You will get that stuff in Best Automobile, please go to lokesh (my mechanic) on your way to office so you can cross check, will save a lot of time.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by mbz180

Hi Pavan,

I like the way the chassis is looking. You seem to have obtained just the right balance of the matte and gloss blacks. The red also makes it look sporty. Overall, I like it very much.

Regards
Prithvi

Thank you very much Prithvi.

Originally Posted by manishalive

They seem similar to the one used in our fiats (the ones with API system).

You will get that stuff in Best Automobile, please go to lokesh (my mechanic) on your way to office so you can cross check, will save a lot of time.

Hi Manish,

I tried that too, but none of the Indian Fiats or the Premier units match....

I have all the end units, so as per my mechanic, we will integrating the end threads with long copper pipes.

The brakes were initially worked on, without touching any sender units, and were working Fantastic.

But during the chassis break-up for restoration, it was inevitable to replace them.

[manishalive]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

but none of the Indian Fiats or the Premier units match....

By Indian Fiats I presume you mean the Elegents, selects and like. But isin't the brake system for both of the fiats identical ??

And By the way if you need pipe flaring tool, I have it with me.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by manishalive

By Indian Fiats I presume you mean the Elegents, selects and like. But isin't the brake system for both of the fiats identical ??

And By the way if you need pipe flaring tool, I have it with me.

Its a Fiat 500C specific brake lines. But with my mechanic, the problem now is more or less solved.

Will you explain that Pipe Flaring tool....! Why is it used...?

[manishalive]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Its a Fiat 500C specific brake lines. But with my mechanic, the problem now is more or less solved.

Will you explain that Pipe Flaring tool....! Why is it used...?

The threaded ends slide onto the pipe, to arrest these comming out and to have leak tight seal we need to flare the ends of pipe. Very much the requirment.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by manishalive

The threaded ends slide onto the pipe, to arrest these comming out and to have leak tight seal we need to flare the ends of pipe. Very much the requirment.

I need to have a look at what you are saying.

Anyways, i sometimes feel like KICKING MYSELF for dismantling the Already working GOOD Brakes, But OTOH, Joy would never have been happy if i would not have RESTORED it.... So everytime i look into one component of brakes, its throwing new challenges.

One of the front Brake pipe has little bit of cracks due to ageing, Original is etched as HBT - Italy . Searching around to find a replacement. NOT FINDING ONE.............

Eventually my mechanic or me shall find it.

OTOH, the workshop guys were treated yesterday to the ROGER Room treatment(We sales guys get that when we dont reach targets.....LOL) It has been effective, but the effects wont last long i know.

I inspected the car once in the Morning and Evening today.... They have done what was supposed to be done today. All credits to them , And i am happy for that....

Sat with them for sometime and checked the Lines on the Car... Not Bad, there are only few.

Next 2 days will be spent in Bolting on the Body to the Chassis, need to find some suiting Body Rubber Bushes....

[Stanher]

Channagidhe, pavan!

BTW, curious to know what purpose the 3M masking sheet serves (in case I may need something like that in a future restoration! ) Is it because with the body on, the priming/painting etc. will go on and it shouldnt mess up the chassis/mechanical parts that are already done up?

If so, then how to remove it when you have to? That would mean taking the body off again, once done up?

And secondly how much does this sheet cost?

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by Stanher

Channagidhe, pavan!

BTW, curious to know what purpose the 3M masking sheet serves (in case I may need something like that in a future restoration! ) Is it because with the body on, the priming/painting etc. will go on and it shouldnt mess up the chassis/mechanical parts that are already done up?

If so, then how to remove it when you have to? That would mean taking the body off again, once done up?

And secondly how much does this sheet cost?

Hi Shyam.

Bingo..! You got it right.

The masking sheet is used only to keep the FINISHED Chassis CLEAN... Only to avoid all that after effects during Sanding, Priming and Overspray.

Right now, i will be PERMANANTLY Bolting ON the Chassis to the Body, Once Painting is done, will just pull it out, It will not be re-used anyways.

This 3M sheet is generally not stocked by all Paint Shop guys, I had to order and wait for a week to get. It costs Rs. 150/-.

You can use this to cover your Full car in case you are painting only the Fender. Just cut the fender portion and tape it. This also avoids Overspray on the other panels....

I am getting nervous by the day right now.....