My concept for the general Vee

[V8SuperBeetle]

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.

[Palepainter]

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.

[DRTSLNGER4]

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

[Palepainter]

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

[Palepainter]

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. :)








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.

[DRTSLNGER4]

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

[tattooed_pariah]

Originally Posted by DRTSLNGER4

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

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

[Palepainter]

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

[DRTSLNGER4]

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

[Palepainter]

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.

[Budreaux]

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.

[Palepainter]

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.

[jthw8]

Niiiiice!

[Palepainter]

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!!!

[Palepainter]

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.

[Palepainter]

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.

[aircoolednewf]

Originally Posted by Palepainter

Thanks Jim!


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

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.

[Steve White]

Originally Posted by Palepainter

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.

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

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

[Palepainter]

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.

[AirheadZim]

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

[70blackbeetle]

Originally Posted by Palepainter

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.

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

[BEERcobra]

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

[V8SuperBeetle]

Looking great! Almost there!

[Palepainter]

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.

[Palepainter]

Originally Posted by 70blackbeetle

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

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.