Lucy the 68 Riviera Restore

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I broke down and bought a orbital sander last night. Lets just say the 15 minutes I spent I finished the drivers door. This thing is going to make my life way easier. So I have both front doors and a nose ready for primer, and the left sid middle panel already done. So I guess you can say I'm about half done. Looks good for having primer on by the end of the week. That's as long as every thing keeps going as smooth as it has been. Can't wait to get this old girl to her camp spot and use her. Lets just hope the weather warms up a bit.

 

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Had a change in pace yesterday. I wasn't in the mood to sand, it takes it toll on you. So I masked up, and primed the panels I had complete. I believe she feels a lot better. I just didn't want lucy getting mad at me because of stripping her down naked. She kind of had a glow to her after I was done. So the slider door, both front doors, the nose, and the driver side panel behind the door done. That means the end of the tunnel is near, and she will be looking really good soon. I plan on waiting to dip her till the weather gets a little nicer. Been in the 20s for the past couple days. so probably march time frame for the dip.

after a couple coats

Done

 

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Been working through the body, and I got all the primer on Saturday night, and have just been working on the last details for the camp out on the 14th. I parked her out in the washington rain, and found a few more leaks so I'm working on that last minute set backs. Also my rear hatch seal is leaking so that is going to be a $100 set back. I'll post more photos of what I have been doing, but here are of few after getting her out of the garage.

 

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Got her ready had a few hickups before we left for the camp out, but it worked out awesome. Driver side rear running light decided it didn't want to work so I cleaned up the ground, and she is good to go. I do know that I have leads swapped in the front for the turn signals, but that is little. Had a few leaks before the big day and got those taken care of then we found a few more on the trip home because it was pouring. So I'm working through those right now. Should have them good her tonight. Lots of caulk and expanding foam. Still need to get the rear hatch seal.

She was awesome camping though. Had a little set back at the camp site. The kid cot front brackets were in to wrong place, but I moved them and it worked like a charm. It was funny when my son was up there, and it fell. Space heater kept us more then toasty. We were kicking covers off half way through the night. I think the Reflectix insulation I put up in the windows did a lot of the work. Heater was set to some unknown temp, and it ran at abuot 11 and didn't hear it kit back on till about 3 so the heat kept in very well.

The surrounding area was awesome only about 100 yds off the beach. There was a few other camping out with us that we met for the first time. Mostly Vanagons, but they were enjoying the area just as much. More bays showed up before we left Saturday. 2 Rivieras to be exact. They got the worst of the weather it started raining as we were leaving.

 

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Haven't been doing much ran into a snag with my bug. She was sitting outside while we went camping I drove it to work, and thought I heard water sloshing around. Rear window leaked from the rains. Battery tray and the tray next to it were full of water.

I drove the bus to work, and when I go to the parking garage she was clicking pretty bad. So when I got home I let her cool down. Did a valve adjustment and found that a spring washer broke on #4 and one of the nuts holding the assembly on was off. I also got the rear hatch seal in, and plan on doing that here soon so I can sand the top half soon. I have gotten some cool sticker for the rear hatch though.

 

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Had to pull the bus into the garage I found what I thought looked like a place where water was getting into the rear. Looked like a rust bubble in the paint. I tapped it with a screw driver and bam right through. So I was right found the source of my leak. Upon further examination I wire wheel it, and found more hole covered up by bondo. So I guess you can say my bus wanted me to become a welder from day one. And a welder is what I'm becoming. I went out and dropped the money to get a mig welder, and a bottle. Way better then flux core. Glad I spent the bones on it. So got that all patched up just need to grind her down and slap some mud on her.

Then its off to the dog races. Got to take the two that are on there out back. Driver side dog leg is gone at the bottom so bad the bracket for the bumper fell off. I'll be making and welding a new one of those on. should be starting that up tonight after I grind down the roof and cut out the old one. Mind you I have to grind before 7:00 because my kids start getting ready for bed. So all the quite work starts from about 8:00 on. So I can weld at night just not grind.

 

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Got it done no the hole in the roof is still an ongoing thing still have to put the body filler on, but I did get the driver side dog leg done. Just need to weld on the mounting bracket for the bumper since it rusted away. I just have to do the other side now, and a small hole on the nose and she will be good to go.

 

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Moving right along got the roof done up. I'm just hoping the weather stops here soon so I can get the bus outside so I can sand the rest of it. My garage looks like hell. It's messy with tools scattered, and dust and debri everywhere. So the driver side mounts for the front bumper were gone. rusted away never to be seen again. So I decided to remake it out of something stronger then what VW did. 3inch 1/8 inch steel plate. Going from where it used to attach to where it used to attach. the I used the same steel plate to make the bracket as well. Mounted the bumper up and she looks awesome, and functions as well. Tonight I'll be tackeling the hole in the nose not huge, but needs to be dealt with. Best part about where it is doesn't need to be 100% perfect since it will be behind the bumper, but needs to be fixed. I also took the time to take me rear hatch paneling off to put the emblem back on the hatch.

 

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Dont worry the picture of the bondo was not the finished product. I added more and got her smooth.

 

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I have been working slow on the bus now that the sun keeps popping his head out. We took Lucy camping again, this time with no power. So primative camping is now a reality for us. We had a great time, and love how awesome having Lucy is. Couple of nice days during the week means I have gotten time to sand and prime some more. Also in the process of building a cup holder/ basket for the center console. I'm loving my welder more and more.

 

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Been awhile since I posted. I finally got the paint all removed and prime red up. I also got my curtains in. Next step is to fine tune the body work and then get some plastidip on her. Enough with the talking and on with the photos. I still have a dog leg to weld up so don't mind that part lol.

My Girls

 

[Mark_09]

Thanks for information.