One of the reasons I absolutely love this channel is that you do everything well and good enough for the majority.. The old VW clan was all about getting things as good as you can get it in the situation you find yourself or your bug in.. Now, its all about how much money you can spend on other people to do things and they'll never know how good or bad they actually do the work because they themselves don't even ATTEMPT the repairs
Filip from Belgium is doing a ‘55 and he’s fixed many of the same areas; they all tend to rust in the same places. He’s doing a killer job; and so does Mike!
Just the advice I needed to move forward. Don't over think it! I have a bus shaped rust in my garage. I got it after watching your Westy videos. Fixing it little by little.
Really great job on repairing the heater channel,rocker,lower panels and retaining the originality of the car .car coming along nicely it will take time but that’s part of the challenge.keep doing it 👍👍👍😎😎😎
Hey Mike, I really understand where your coming from. Too many people get caught up trying to do things “Perfect” and in the end it’s all about getting these cars back on the road. I believe the biggest advice any DIYer can take from your videos is this. Metal work is a simple process and when you can make some piece of steel fit as close to original and have two pieces bond (good penetration) correctly then that’s the goal. Everything after is imperfections that can be dealt with. How long it takes you doesn’t matter. Learning to Shape metal and weld properly is what everyone should be concerned about. It gets easier with more practice. Your mention about not to over think the process is spot on.
I have used the klokkerholm bottom plates before. Yes to re-weld the captive nuts and I recommend that you add in reinforce where the jacking points contact these plates (less likely to dent if you use the original jack) 👍
Love your videos, Mike. Please don't stop. TV and the internet made novices think they're experts. They expect some high dollar chip foose results and don't understand the reality. Keep it simple. Don't overthink it. You make the daunting tasks seem attainable, man, seriously. Thanks!
I always look forward to these videos. I have been fixing holes on my bus with the help of your knowledge. Still need to find some help with the doglegs though because they are out of my confidence level. Thanks so much for taking the time to make these videos!
Hey Mike ! When I lived in San Antonio , on my way to work I drove past a place that was Newell Salvage . That place took the motors out crushed them then shredded them . There were every kind of car ever met it's death there .
What your saying at the end is true. I have watched so many RUclips video I feel like I can do anything. That's how I learned how to work on cars back in the day. read a book and go do it. Great video
On my 59 Deluxe I welded all small holes I could but doors required my cutting out bottom 2 inches and hand forming new pieces and welding in...Im running a mlg welder but using gas less flux core wire ... required some experience...
Love your technique Mike, your stuff always come out so fn awesome. If people want to metal finish then let them, but they will never finish their project. I know my truck would have never been alive if it wasn't for me, and yes it might not be perfect but it will be alive.
2:47 I had the same rot issue. I agree about buying a sill plate. I like making my own patches but replacing the sill plate with all its factory stampings was definitely the way to go. Relatively inexpensive panel too. Thanks for another great motvational vid Mike. Can't wait to see what she turns out like once all the bodywork is done!
what works for you, works for me! So true. They are little cars easy to work on, I'm doing a similar job on a 1974 one-owner car right now. Just do what you can and make it look good, enjoy the car, drive it!
The early VWs are the best ones. I have owned a 55, 56, 57 ,58, 59, 60 in bugs.. drove the 55 to Cocoa Beach Florida from Monterey Calif in 1968.. non stop and back again 6 months later. 54 right hand drive bus , double sliding doors, 16" wheels, crank out front window, 4 bud vases.. full sun roof no air box.. klik gauges. Split front seats.. Bull Bar etc Bought it from a professional wildlife photographer for Nat'l Geographic, Life , Look etc He bought it new in So Africa.. I paid $400 for it in 1965. 1971 Bus.. the best year of any. Jetta.. garbage 1973 THING in mint condition, gas heater, factory limited slip.. .. I have owned 130 cars and trucks.. next to a 1996 Dodge Ram truck, worst vehicle I have owned. Tragic joke.
125$ an hour 😵😵?!?! They forget that allmost no car is worth that, - the "budget" way is the sensible way to go, - as you have demonstrated it in so many videos ! - Keep going !
yea that is the reality of people who have shops do that "perfect" work. Shawn charges only 85 at slow ride. and I am not sure what skinner charges maybe around the same but his overhead is pretty high with that big shop and payroll. Bay area Rent all that.
I used heater channel bottom plates from a UK supplier called HookysPanelShop. The fella has been making a niche selection of high quality panels for many years. The door pillar repair panels are superb.
cool I wish we had someone here making them They only have Tabco made in the USA. but they only make a few panels and mostly for ghia. I did talk to the owner and suggest to him to look into making some more vw parts but IDK.
I have a question, have you ever had a Vw motor that would not come out.I have pulled many a bug engine with no issue.The vehicle is a 57 oval window,the story is it was driven on the Oregon beach back in the late 60s early 70s by members of the grateful Dead and got stuck in the tide,till it was pulled out three weeks later,and was in storage till we bought it.i have cut the engine bolts off and you can spin it around.We tried to man handle it,but it won't budge. any Ideas it is stuck to the transmission.
Sadly soon all combustion cars and trucks including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Car washs will be forbidden too because they are climate killers, now they want to slow down all the gas station pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime.!!! (BABVVEN & TEBBVEN & BEFVO laws)
Wide awake rust since 1954 because rust never sleeps.
Nice work Mike! Thanks for keeping it real. You should pick it up with the bucked truck! =)
test the real power of the bucket truck!!! ha ha
WELD SOMETHING ha ha !!!!
You are very sincere because your interest is to teach not to become rich and that is why I follow your Chanel, keep the good work 👍🙏🏼
One of the reasons I absolutely love this channel is that you do everything well and good enough for the majority.. The old VW clan was all about getting things as good as you can get it in the situation you find yourself or your bug in.. Now, its all about how much money you can spend on other people to do things and they'll never know how good or bad they actually do the work because they themselves don't even ATTEMPT the repairs
The talking points you brought up at the end of this video is the reason I keep coming back to your channel!
Filip from Belgium is doing a ‘55 and he’s fixed many of the same areas; they all tend to rust in the same places. He’s doing a killer job; and so does Mike!
Just the advice I needed to move forward. Don't over think it! I have a bus shaped rust in my garage. I got it after watching your Westy videos. Fixing it little by little.
watch fitzee's fabrication , he's the same as mike, he just gets it done with simple tools and common sense
Great video Mike - I like your opinions on filler and bodywork. Great points :)
Really great job on repairing the heater channel,rocker,lower panels and retaining the originality of the car .car coming along nicely it will take time but that’s part of the challenge.keep doing it 👍👍👍😎😎😎
Hey Mike, I really understand where your coming from. Too many people get caught up trying to do things “Perfect” and in the end it’s all about getting these cars back on the road. I believe the biggest advice any DIYer can take from your videos is this. Metal work is a simple process and when you can make some piece of steel fit as close to original and have two pieces bond (good penetration) correctly then that’s the goal. Everything after is imperfections that can be dealt with. How long it takes you doesn’t matter. Learning to Shape metal and weld properly is what everyone should be concerned about. It gets easier with more practice. Your mention about not to over think the process is spot on.
AVALANCHE... Rust never sleeps....but you got it under control...
I have used the klokkerholm bottom plates before. Yes to re-weld the captive nuts and I recommend that you add in reinforce where the jacking points contact these plates (less likely to dent if you use the original jack) 👍
Great tip!
Love your videos, Mike. Please don't stop. TV and the internet made novices think they're experts. They expect some high dollar chip foose results and don't understand the reality. Keep it simple. Don't overthink it. You make the daunting tasks seem attainable, man, seriously. Thanks!
I always look forward to these videos. I have been fixing holes on my bus with the help of your knowledge. Still need to find some help with the doglegs though because they are out of my confidence level. Thanks so much for taking the time to make these videos!
Hey Mike ! When I lived in San Antonio , on my way to work I drove past a place that was Newell Salvage . That place took the motors out crushed them then shredded them . There were every kind of car ever met it's death there .
What your saying at the end is true. I have watched so many RUclips video I feel like I can do anything. That's how I learned how to work on cars back in the day. read a book and go do it. Great video
Nice work and another commonsense tutorial. Keep it coming Mike
love your work Sir you provide so much knowledge and experience thanks for sharing
love the VW beetles
On my 59 Deluxe I welded all small holes I could but doors required my cutting out bottom 2 inches and hand forming new pieces and welding in...Im running a mlg welder but using gas less flux core wire ... required some experience...
Love your technique Mike, your stuff always come out so fn awesome. If people want to metal finish then let them, but they will never finish their project. I know my truck would have never been alive if it wasn't for me, and yes it might not be perfect but it will be alive.
Thanks 👍
im going to try to make it to the Oceanside show.....at the brewery. But I am doing the treffin drive. starting in San Fransisco area.
Great work as always Mike. Inspirational 👍🏻
2:47 I had the same rot issue. I agree about buying a sill plate. I like making my own patches but replacing the sill plate with all its factory stampings was definitely the way to go. Relatively inexpensive panel too.
Thanks for another great motvational vid Mike. Can't wait to see what she turns out like once all the bodywork is done!
what works for you, works for me! So true. They are little cars easy to work on, I'm doing a similar job on a 1974 one-owner car right now. Just do what you can and make it look good, enjoy the car, drive it!
Great vid. Many thanks. Carl
Perfect Mike, wise words, I worked my VW Beetle this way and the result was incredible and lasting.
To help you out, Evercoat feather fill primer is a must.. Great primer!
Mike you bring it to every single video. Great stuff and thanks!
You are right Mike! Thanks for helping us see you don’t have to spend tons of money to get a great vehicle
Great Work, as always. I wonder, that you dont weld any Bracings in the Door when you lift the Body.
I didn't have mig welder for years we used oxygen and Acetylene gas weld stuff together with sponge & water to keep warping the sheetmetal
The early VWs are the best ones.
I have owned a 55, 56, 57 ,58, 59, 60 in bugs.. drove the 55 to Cocoa Beach Florida from Monterey Calif in 1968.. non stop and back again 6 months later.
54 right hand drive bus , double sliding doors, 16" wheels, crank out front window, 4 bud vases.. full sun roof no air box.. klik gauges. Split front seats.. Bull Bar etc Bought it from a professional wildlife photographer for Nat'l Geographic, Life , Look etc He bought it new in So Africa.. I paid $400 for it in 1965.
1971 Bus.. the best year of any.
Jetta.. garbage
1973 THING in mint condition, gas heater, factory limited slip.. .. I have owned 130 cars and trucks.. next to a 1996 Dodge Ram truck, worst vehicle I have owned. Tragic joke.
Very nice enjoy your program
You are doing a great job.
Looking good down here in Alabama
125$ an hour 😵😵?!?!
They forget that allmost no car is worth that, - the "budget" way is the sensible way to go, - as you have demonstrated it in so many videos ! - Keep going !
yea that is the reality of people who have shops do that "perfect" work. Shawn charges only 85 at slow ride. and I am not sure what skinner charges maybe around the same but his overhead is pretty high with that big shop and payroll. Bay area Rent all that.
in my younger years I had a 66 bug slammed and a 65 fasty, never had a chance at an oval... I'm jealous bud.
I used heater channel bottom plates from a UK supplier called HookysPanelShop.
The fella has been making a niche selection of high quality panels for many years.
The door pillar repair panels are superb.
cool I wish we had someone here making them They only have Tabco made in the USA. but they only make a few panels and mostly for ghia. I did talk to the owner and suggest to him to look into making some more vw parts but IDK.
@@Mikefngarage He does ship world wide but that's far from ideal.
I'm Back..West El Guapo ..( CT is the East El Guapo )...😉
Mike I know you have shown before but your slap hammer is an old file, correct?
I have a question, have you ever had a Vw motor that would not come out.I have pulled many a bug engine with no issue.The vehicle is a 57 oval window,the story is it was driven on the Oregon beach back in the late 60s early 70s by members of the grateful Dead and got stuck in the tide,till it was pulled out three weeks later,and was in storage till we bought it.i have cut the engine bolts off and you can spin it around.We tried to man handle it,but it won't budge. any Ideas it is stuck to the transmission.
Its a lot work to get it right
I want this car when it’s done! Any way to contact you about price, if you’re thinking about selling it?
Are you going to seam seal the heater channel? Can you? Will heat escape without a complete weld?
Exelente trabajo
This Oval is going to be as Bad A.. as the bucket truck!!!!! Just keep watching folks!!!!!
Check out budget builds on RUclips. That guy built a rotisserie from 2x4's...he used it for a bug, took it apart and stacked it behind the shed.
😳 Ahh..ok...that last part was interesting...😬
The green heater panels here are $1000 each😭
like 350 each....plus shipping. Here OMG $1000 is that because the government gets their cut?
@@Mikefngarage mainly the shipping down here is mega bucks, never used to be so high now days they just charge what they like😏
Cool job mike
Right on Mike. Agree with you 100%. God Bless
I know what you are saying about cost… but those heater tube and sil plates need to be completely replaced.
Your patches will all connect otherwise
Sadly soon all combustion cars and trucks including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-(
In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025
on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Car washs will be forbidden too because they are climate killers, now they want to slow down all the gas station pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime.!!! (BABVVEN & TEBBVEN & BEFVO laws)
So...question for all you vehicle restorers. You do all this work on the body.... Is the car going to last another 40 years?