Replacing Rubbers

After all the car is dated from 1967 and unbelievably most of the rubbers were still original. And one could clearly see that; they were hard, dry and breaking. While busy restoring the car it makes sense to replace all of the rubbers at the same time. So all the engine compartment, front compartment, lights, bumber, body and window rubbers were replaced. It is unfortunate that most of the current rust problems could have been avoided if this car's rubbers would have been replaced years ago, when they first started showing signs of ageing.

Replacing the front rubber

Restoring the Front

The next step after overhauling the engine was the front. The drips of brake fluid had caused some rusting that needed to be fixed and the petrol tank needed some facial uplift, but otherwise everything under the hood seemed to be in quite good condition, dirty but good. Even the spot for the spare tyre was in excellent condition even that is one of the most common places to discover rust problems.

Front before restauration

After the petrol tank and the front tyres were out it was easy to discover some nasty rusting on the driver's side, rusting starting from the compartment's lower corner continuing all the way to the mud guard side. This is were the Volkswagen engineers weren't too clever as the flat bottom plate structure allowes the water to stay and stand there causing problems. Why it couldn't be a bit inclined? Also it was apparent that the water had got in between the floor plate and the body as the rusting on the mud guard side was quite severe.

Removing rusted plates under the mud guard

The rusted parts were removed and the new ones welded in. The whole compartment was cleaned, degreased, sandpapered and deoxidised after which it was covered with the rubber mass paint. Also the gap between the floor plate and the body was sealed with silicone to disable the water to get into the body.

New plates and protective rubber mass paint

As an end result a rust free and protected compartment. Hopefully also worry free for quite some time into the future. Only time will tell.

Front compartment after restoration

The rubber mass paint was also used to cover the spare tyre compartment as it is very durable and easy to keep clean, not to mention it is working well in watery conditions. The petrol tank was completely repainted; with rubber mass paint from below and with glossy black from the top. The service opening covers and the horn were also repainted.

Front after restoration

After everything was put back the end result came out neat and clean. New addition, a loose mat, will protect the space from the dirt and bumps.

Front ready

Restauration Follow Up

Apologies for the long blog silence. Within these last couple of months we've been busy with fixing the front of the bug, the space under the petrol tank to be more specific. We're very close to the finish line and hopefuly we can download some before and after pictures together with a restauration story in two weeks time.