1969 VW Bug Project - Episode 30 - Prepping the Fenders for Primer

A few words about my videos: these episodes document my efforts to restore an old VW Bug and are not intended as how-to's. I am a professor of English by trade, and I have no formal mechanic training (which is often quite obvious). I'm also into making semi-interesting/entertaining videos showing how I've gone about my restoration work. But I make no guarantee that my results will be your results, nor that you will remain injury free if you try to do what I did. You may harm yourself, others, and/or your car if you copy me. If you do, that's your fault, not mine. Please be safer than I am, make safety first not third, and do not do anything if you don't know what you are doing. If you have any doubts at all, consult a qualified automotive professional, and pay him or her to do it right and safely.

[@sunnynahal1198]

blade soundtrack!!! nice work btw

[@paullee7350]

Hey just subscribed Thanks for making the effort to document and post. You are making the world a slightly better more informed place. I like what you are doing. It's a big help as I intend to fix up my '70 to about the same level! Good luck I look forward to more video!

[@SchoolStGarage]

Glad to hear it, Paul! Thanks for the support and encouragement.

[@oldmancrow6676]

I know this was a while ago but so far it's lookin good. I'm workin my way thru this set of vids. I'm a pretty avid VW fanatic so this has all of my interest.

[@jimmycalhoun8033]

enjoying the videos on the bug

[@VWbugman]

One hundred dollars at partsgeek.com... how much did you pay for paint stripper, sandpaper, razor blades and Welding and lots of time and additional body work on your old fenders. 200.00 dollars on two fenders ready to prime and paint out of the box. I'm not telling I'm just asking would you still do it your way because I need to start on mine.

[@SchoolStGarage]

Hi John. Honestly, I would do it again. I'm not going for show car perfection, and I'm a fan of original sheet metal whenever possible. (Look what I did to try to keep the original rear apron.) Did the same when I rebuilt/restored by Willys CJ-3A. And I believe fully that original sheet metal is better quality. My repop rear apron, which I bought once I had to admit the original was beyond my skills to salvage, feels cheaper and thinner that the original and didn't fit as well as I would have liked. Just stuff for you to consider when working on yours.
What year is yours, by the way? And what sheet metal is going to need your attention?

[@brittanywalter2933]

Me too. Went and bought a wire wheel and started the fenders. Five to six layers of paint , took about a hour and a half per fender. Best thing about it, there was no puddy, "Thank God" on the driver's side. Passenger side the metal on the back of the rear fender looks a little thin and a little crusty, No holes, just that layer of rust that you need to use a grinder to remove. Might buy some fiberglass resin to tighten it up and put a thin coat of top coat Bondo on it. Should look new afterwards. Mine is a 1964 Volkswagen beetle. 30 years ago I had a 69 an always wish i kept it. Once you get the Beetle fever, it stays in you forever.