Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I finished the last of the body work on the exterior of the car today. The passenger door is Schmmoooooooth. I will get pics later. Nothing exciting to see. I am finishing smoothing out all of the interior fabric tabs and attachment points. Feels good to be at this point. It was a lot of work, but worth it.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Looks good. :thumbsup:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I got the remainder of the polyester blocked down with 80gt. Just a few touch up spots before seal and primer. As you can see from a couple of the shots, I have to do all the metal inside yet. I am probably going a bit overboard on Operation Smoooooth, but it should be slick all painted nicely.

When I first started this project, I was thinking, this is going to be way less time than with fenders. I was wrong. The inner fender wells getting all pimped out is more work than smoothing out the fenders would have been. Getting rid of all this interior stuff is causing much more work too.

So, to take a break a bit today, I messed with a few details with the handles and the filler pieces on my luggage rack. It kind of looks like Mr. T would own it at this point, but when it all gets blacked out and powdercoated, it will be a bit more subdued.

Party on... Oh...2 gallons of bondo and 2.5 cases of beer later. :)

http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop234.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop235.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop236.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop237.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Hey Bro I know these projects can take over all the spare time you have !!! But in my opinon you have spent your time well :bow: Great looking awsome job !!! I can't wait to see more :chillin:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Wow, moving right along Mike! :thumbsup:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Nice touch on the door handles. Its those attention to detail items that really set this off.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Thanks Jim.

You ever have one of those days where allergy medicine kicks your ass? I was up all night with an adverse reaction to a new med. So, today was my day on the car. I was a zombie all day, perfect for the job ahead of me. Yes....Scraping all the tar boards off of the floor pan. I have been putting it off, but am taking a break from the last bit of bodywork on the car left this week. The pan is in amazing shape. I had to dolly quite a few bad dents and scrapes out of it. It will look fine the the UPol bedliner on it. I have been figuring out how I am going to trim out the inside of the car. I have a few fun things planned after the car is in paint later in the month of Sept.

Here are some pics from zombieville....

http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop238.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop239.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop240.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I spent some time this eve finishing up the rack and making sure it wouldnt damage anything attached to the roof. The bottom clamp part fits nicely up under the drip rail with out messing up the finish. I made mounting tabs and welded them to the rack then attached the diamond plate with bolts.

I also gave the same treatment to the lower baja bars. I figure I will try to get all my drilling over with before paint. :)


I also got this killer bushing from DBug Doug. It will save a lot of fabrication. He makes some killer shiznet. Thanks for the shirt Doug!!!
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop241.jpg


http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop242.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop243.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop244.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop245.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Looking good. Love all the little touches.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Man I love those Baja bars, reminds me of the old dirt track cars. That is a nice garage!!

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Thanks Chugger. You nailed it. I am taking some cues from some oval dirt track racers. Trying to do it subtly.

I have been enjoying the shop. There is one bay isolated that is strictly a spray room. I have made the most of the space. I hate working in a dirty shop, you just see it after one major cleaning over the weekend.

We are about to launch our live webcam in the shop and studio, so the wife and I did some reorganizing. It will be a mess next week. :)

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

diggin it coming together

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

:I see why you feel my pain. :funny: Looking great! Nice subtle touches too.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

man i like the side bars! you know if i made some it would have to be wider to fit a 12 pack tho!!:funny:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

HAHAHHA. I thought about that, but I will have to make room else where.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

:thumbsup: Not only is your build cool as hell YOU ARE TO THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE TRAY I got it today I owe you one :bow:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

No problem.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Today I got the mud work done on the inside of the passenger side. You can see all the fabric mounting tabs that have been shaved and smoothed out. It will be ready for polyester shortly.

I also got the Gortex Woodland BDU material. This will be the seat bottoms and door panel as well as kick panels possibly. I got about 10 yards of it so I can make the mistakes sewing up the bottom covers.

http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop246.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop247.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop248.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Looks sick bro!!

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Thanks guys.

This weekend I saw the end of the tunnel. And there was a bright light. No wait... That was me slamming my head into the rear of the rag top opening. Insert image here.....

http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop253.jpg


The there was the gratuitous shot with the bandaid and my favorite beer to bash my head in with. 1 in wide, straight to the bone. No nerve damage, I can still see. But there was a bright light.
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop254.jpg

The inside of the car is just about ready to be sprayed with the polyester, then block and prime. I am trying to get it ready to prime this weekend....Weeeeeee

http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop249.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop250.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop251.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop252.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Bro LAY OFF the OLD CHUB SCOTCH ALE !!!!!!! Not only are you bleeding your standing sideways !!!!!:funny:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I'm all out of Old Chub!!!! I got the interior body work sprayed with the polyester today. A few evenings of sanding I will be ready to prime it with the tintable primer that showed up today.

Nothing exciting, unless you want to see the 3rd eye on my forehead.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Last night I hunted down some acrylic for the rear quarter windows. I welded up the tabs I needed to mount the pieces to the opening. I will be putting a rubber seal on the inside. (not like it matters :rollingeyes: ) It will mostly help with vibrations.

I am going to do the other side tonight. I have a few more hours of sanding until primer.

http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop255.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Looking good. It's getting there. The primer you will be spraying soon, is it to seal up the car or to build the surface for more body work?

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I blocked the all the bondo work down with 36 gt. Then I sprayed the polyester hi build material. Blocked it with 80-150 gt. This primer/sealer locks it all in. It does have some build qualities. It will be sanded with 500gt then painted.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Sounds good. I'm just curious cause everyone has their own routine. I worked all the mud on my car with 36-100. First layer of high build with 180. Second build coat will be sanded with 220 & 400. Then I'll spray an epoxy coat to seal it all up and I'll hit that with 600. Then paint. I plan to spray clear, the second coat will be hit with 600 to knock down the orange peel and then I'll lay down a "flow coat".

I may have missed it, but what paint brand do you plan to use? You're doing a combo of flat color and gloss black, right? It'll be interesting to see how it all comes out cause I'm at the same point in my build.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I'm going to go all gloss I think. Just so much of the flat stuff out there these days. I think it will give it more of a custom look

I am using SEM Color Horizons primers and base clear system. I am using Evercoat Slick sand polyesters.


Tonight I continued sanding my finger tips off and also got the passenger side window done. The grey acrylic machined nicely. I was worried about it chipping, but worked nicely.

I also scored a 4 point roll cage for a bug on Craigslist for 30 bucks. Really nice unit.

Here are a few from tonight.
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop257.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop258.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

DAMMIT MIKE !!!!!! now I want one like this !!!!! GReat job man I love this thing :bow:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Thanks Mark, you got more cars coming....Get busy bro. HHEHEHE

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I got to prime the removable pieces this after noon. I continued sanding the rest of the body. My fingers are sore. I need a beer. :)
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop259.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop260.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop261.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop262.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop263.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop264.jpg


In the last pic you can see me estimating how much I have to remove from the bottom of the roll cage to get it under the chopped roof.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Dude i realize you got a great deal on the cage .But is it worth the trouble ? your car is gonna be just as cool with or without the cage .And a cage takes up alot of room and you have to modify everything to make it look and fit right!!!!!! >Do it like you want to but I don't see the cage addition making what you have allready done any cooler especialy for the work that's involved .Just my opinion :unsure:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I'm just gonna guess that the cage is going in to make it safer.. :Idunno:

:tongue:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Pretty much trying to take care of my little girl who will be riding in the back. Anything to make it safer for her.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

HEY I totally understand that .I just thought you was trying to make the build a little cooler .It can't get any cooler !!!!!:bow:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Sanding, sanding and more sanding getting the body ready for final prime. Every little nook and cranny trying to get prepped for primer. I am probably being a bit more OCD than needed, but then again, I profess to be a painter, so the shit better look right. Not much to look at in pics right now other than sanded factory paint.

In the past two weeks, I restored this 90 year old cello for my Daughter's 10th birthday yesterday. Just waiting on some parts. I made the finger board and repaired a bunch of cracks. Took it completely apart and just lacquered it yesterday am.

Here is Micah, the most precious thing in my life with her Dad and her new 90 year old cello. HEHEh.

http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/micah.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Nice work on the cello....my daughter has been playing the violin for 5 years. She's 13 now and it just isn;t cool to be Dad's little girl it seems. I love how you factor her in everything you do... just remember, if the time comes that she doesn;t seem to remember these days, she does..it hurts but you'll take comfort in knowing you've done everything you could to give her everything you can.

My respect to you and you have a beautiful daughter.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I can not even begin the count the hours of busting knuckles and cutting hands sanding all the small spots in preparation of primer. So rather than bore you the past weeks of shots of what looks like no progress, I saved the cam for the primer shots.

Here it is ready for final sand and paint.

http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop265.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop266.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop267.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop268.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop269.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Niiiiice!

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Thanks Jim!

It is so nice to see it sitting in primer. I do not know where the past 9 months has gone, but when I look at the car, I can see time. I am on the down hill side of the project and it feels good. My fingers hurt. HEHEHEHE

Oh ya. I got some more Old Chub!!!

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

So...Just when you think the sanding is all over for a while....It starts all over again. I am dry sanding with 400. The primer sands real nice and since the paint wont be metallic, I will keep the water out of the car. My daughter cam out and I spent time teaching her how to use a block. She didn't do too bad.
There will be alot of this week. Hopefully start the painting in the next few weeks.
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop270.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop271.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Nothing much to talk about other than the 20 hours or so of sanding since I have primed the car. So much sanding. I feel like Ralph Machio in the Karate Kid. I am almost done with getting the chassis ready for paint. I am trying to make a schedule for the paint. Once I start, I can not stop so I do not hog up the booth.

Tomorrow, maybe some final pics before paint.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

The wife must be glad to hear that.
Sorry, I had to.
Car looks great by the way. I wish I could get a few hours in mine.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I keep telling people that it pays off to be slacker with low standards like myself.:funny:

Car looks great though and all the sanding will be worth it:thumbsup:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I am taking the day off sanding today. Need to let my hands recover. HEHEHEH.
Here are a couple of shots of the final sand.

http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop272.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop274.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop275.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop276.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Your hard work is really paying off Pale. Looks super!!!

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Awesome Job on the Cello!
I like my stringed instruments like I like my VWs: Patina covered and ratty.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

That's some great body work. I love the pic of you 2 in the car :grin:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Looking great! Almost there!

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Thanks guys,

Still sanding!!!! Will be ready to spray this weekend though. I am going to paint the inside of the car, both base and clear. Back mask a few edges, then mask the rest of the inside off, then spray the outside. I am going to take a few days off work here to finish it.

I was thinking of running the art on the webcam live.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Thank you! I got it up and playing in the last week and have been practicing with my daughter. We get to abuse my wife with our skills.:funny:
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/finish.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Cool. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Mike , looking real good , i see your doing the interior up with detail as well . Looks great !

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

oooooooooooooooooooo and with my new found dsl speed, I can WATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :grin:

Hubby hated the sanding too, always somehow conned me into doing the last final smooth over looking for spots.
It's coming along very nicely!

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Here ya go Carlene!

With this service, you can also watch them pre recorded when ever it is good for you.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/learnairbrushlive

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

IPAD SUCKS!!!!!!!!
I used to watch your web cam for years, but now I got this friggin' iPad( my computer broke) and it don't support flash. So it's been a while since i'v watched.

I'm red_albino on your site.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

You can watch this new service on Ipad I am told. Try the link.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Thanks Mike, but I already tried,
It just says... Currently only available in flash.
I love watching you paint, i'v never seen another airbrush artist work before, just in mags, ( well in our shop they paint the props, but there not experienced painters, good artists, but not experienced with an airbrush) I had to learn the hard way, and I'm still learning.
Your actualy on my list of people to meet.
I met Dennis Mathewson last year in his shop in ,honalulu,
I met Vandeamon a couple years ago,
I talked to Craig Frasier, but havn't met him yet in person,
And Ron Gibb called me one time and we talked for a few hours, but I haunt gotten to his neck of the woods yet.
Well anyway, if I'm in your area, I hope to be able to drop by.
Cheers

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Any time. I am always here.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I am still sanding, but getting damn close. Now I am trying to figure out timing for hogging the spray room for 3 days and get this done. At least the main body, will do doors and stuff in the mix of work. I just have a few spots to touch and it is ready to spray this week.

I will be mixing colors in the next couple of days.

Weeeee. Maybe next time with pics.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Cool! Make sure ya let us know when you get going on that! I'll check out back vids when I have more time, I like watching you pros ab, and freehanding just amazes me :bow:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

My sure fire ways to make my girlfriend insane when we get married:

Playing the Violin/Viola/Cello horribly
Speaking spanish when she doesn't
Taking her favorite "favorite, cute, bubbly little car" and RIPPING its fenders off and making it angry looking

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

You got that right 70. The cello is much more easy on the ears than the violin. I have one of those too. :)

I am mixing color today and blowing out the car. Paint may start this evening while we are having a heat wave. I got all the rocker texture paint sprayed where I wanted it. I am all done sanding the body , hood and decklid. I will get the doors later in the week.

Next up...Pictures of car in basecoat. Weeeee

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Awesome! Can't wait to see the results.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Wow ,your car is BITCHIN. I love the hardtop treatment. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Thanks Whoza. It seemed like I was sanding for months. Which I was.. HEHEHEHEH. But it was good exercise. One thing I do have, is patience. Staying motivated when you really do not feel like it is the challenge.

So today, I shot the black base coat, let it dry then masked for the initial graphics. Then went and bagged the black and then sprayed the drab green. Tomorrow I will start the airbrushing and the pinstripe work on the main colors.

Having fun now.
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop276.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop277.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop278.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop279.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop280.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop281.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop282.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop283.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop284.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop285.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

that looks really friggin cool man!

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Sooo sweeeet.....

I'm excited for you and jealous and the same time......

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

It is so cool to see your vision coming to life like this. It's stunning!

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Out fuckin standing!!!

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I see Nason thinner cans, what paint are you using on it?

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Nason black on Sem primer, Spies Hecker drab. Spies clear. I use Nason for cleaning thinner.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

BADDASS Bro I'm lovin it :bow:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Looks good! And I hope you keep the recording of the ab work, I'm gonna be gone all day today so I can't watch :sad:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Carlene, I can not get the webcam operational in my booth. But I will be doing some nose art on the decklid sometime this week possibly.

Here is some stuff from this morn. More to come as I get further along with it.
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop286.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop287.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Totally AWESOME :bow:. I cant wait to see more. Have you checked your mail lately? :chillin:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I got it yesterday bro!!!! Thanks a ton. I have it setting on the hood right now. I am thinking of painting it black to go with the rest of the theme. Thanks again!!! Do you know what kind of paint is on it right now?

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

That is high heat exaust aluminum {color} paint. Cheap but works nicely on headers and such. Glad you like it.:smile:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Brotherman has some serious skillz......

Looking killer man....keep the pics coming as you get em.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

You did that in a morning? :ohmy:


:bow:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Did the zombie on the right pass side and pinstriped it. The red really pops.

http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop288.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop289.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

nice

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I got the line work done for the decklid. A nose art style pinup, with a few zombie issues. Here is the line work. I will be doing some of this on the webcam. Maybe even some this eve.
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/decklidcut.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

That is AWESOME Mike :bow:

and yes, that red is the ticket :thumbsup:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Wow, this is turning out great! :bow::bow::bow:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Mike, that looks SOOO cool!!

Great job on the zombies!!

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Thanks guys. It should turn some heads at the grocery stores. HEHEHe. My wife and daughter are getting pretty excited too.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

IN CLEAR!!!! Weeeeeee. I just cracked a beer.
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop290.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop291.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop292.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

For anyone interested, I am going to drink beer and airbrush the deck lid this eve on the web cam.:chillin:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/learnairbrushlive

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

WOW, thats SWEET !!!!! I cant wait to see it in paint. :dancing:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Watching now! That is seriously amazing! :bow::bow::bow:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

just got it running and staring, awesome!

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Wow, that some amazing work

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

I'm one of the kool kids on there!:dancing:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

you logged in to the chat box Rob?

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

this is just amazing to watch :bow:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

That was AWESOME to watch!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:bow:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

WOW, I cant even come up with adequate words to describe how awe struck I was as I watched.:bow::bow::bow: I really like the cog emblem !!!! I cant wait to see more.:dancing::dancing:

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Thanks!! Of course you know my inspiration.

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

Here is the progress from this eve. I had most of this on the cam tonight. Fun. I am going to down grade it to PG tomorrow with VW emblem nipple covers. HEHE

http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop293.jpg
http://www.rollingchrome.com/vw/chop294.jpg

Re: My concept for the general Vee
 

No, thank you Mike ! Now I feel really honored to be an influance in your creation of such a work of art !!!:bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow: