Touch up painting!

Okay, so Doodle is "paint challenged" as it relates to the two slider covers on either side. So, in my infinate wisdom, I decide I am going to use some of my super fly VWoA spray paint and touch them up. Hmm. Okay, lets see how this works out.

The first thing I need is a good primer. I talked to the guys at Auto Color, and explained what I was doing. This is what they reccomended in a spray can. Fair enough, lets go.

Now, lets first start with some before pics, so you can see exactly what I'm working with. They were really the main blemishes to Doodles appearance, like a zit on the prom queen type style, so lets see what I can do about it.

Okay, that last is a little area above the hatch that is bent for some unknown reason. Alright, rust pictured, lets see what we can do about it. I'll skip the tedious steps. First thing I did was sand with some 1000 grit paper, to get everything ready for primer. Then, I taped off using the 2009 "Travel Texas" magazine yours free of charge from the State of Texas visitors center. I need to go get a 2011. Its what I use to plan my (thus so far imaginary) trips in Doodle. Back on topic.

Okee Doke, now lay down a little primer. Luckily there was no wind and an oddly warm March day, so it should be fine.

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics, but I think you get the idea. Tape, paper, primer. Now paint!

Now to let it bask in some of that Texas Sun greatness. Ahhh. (Insert 80's movie montage here, with your choice of song. Or the hands of a clock spinning in an expedient manner. Which ever you prefer.)

Now time for the unveil!

Hmm. Honestly? I'm not a huge fan. Paint didnt dry smooth. Looks touched up (obviously) but, its a decent ten footer. Not perfect by any means at all. Damn. What can ya do tho? I'm no professional. What I'll do is have them painted when Doodle goes under the knife this winter for rust/spare tire removal. You know, slide it in. "Say brotha, since you already got paint mixed n stuff, why not throw a lil down on those for me? 'Preciate it." Or something less ethnic. I dunno. Anyway, surface rust is at bay, Doodle looks better from a distance, and all is right with the world. Adios Constant Reader, I have a date with a 3800 pound green bus. Have a great weekend.

A quick story.

So I'm driving to the gym, when I pass a guy I know that I haven't seen in a while. I pull over and walk over to his truck and begin to talk. About five minutes later, a young mom and like 8 kids comes up and asks if her kids can peek inside since its an "antique". I say of course, and go one step further. I pop the top and open the slider door, and pop the top, to a chorus of ooooooooooooooooooooooooohs. So, I leave them too it, and walk back over to his truck. Shortly there are a dozen kids all climbing on Doodle before the cute little mom takes them all (im guessing by the Asian one they are not all hers, but what do I know) back out and thanks me.

Its final. My bus is a rockstar.

El washo de buso....

So what started out as a beautiful day, with a chance of rain, seemed like the PERFECT day to wash and wax Doodle. Haven't done it in so long, I figured I would. In fact, Ive never waxed. Ah well, I enjoy it, so lets get to it.

I should also mention, that any carwashage comes complete with Classic Journey (as in, not that asian guy) blaring from the garage stereo. I mean, thats kinda assumed, ain't it? Well it should be. That reminds me. I need a Journey sticker for Doodle. Hmm. Things to ponder. Wash complete, I moved to the Wax phase, when.....

I got a helper! A little back story on this kid. He lives across the street. Apparently, his dad doesn't do much with him, so hes always at our house watching me work on stuff. This is also the kid that loudly pronounced to the entire world that "Kirk has a junkyard in his back yard!" when in truth, I had one bus I was parting out neatly. I'm just glad code enforcement saw it that way, but that is a story for another time. So after convincing him that waxing the bus was a fun job (ala Tom Sawyer) he got after it. Put wax on every surface he could reach, including the headlights. Not too skimpy with my carnuba wax either, so it was well waxed.

Admittedly, I did end up washing and fixing his bicycle for him in trade, but I still think I came out on top honestly. You know, as I waxed and listened to Journey, I was thinking, why does anyone need a shrink? Buy a volkswagen bus (insert your favorite car here, I suppose. I think VW really does help more than a Honda tho) turn up the tunes and wax/wash it. Dunno why anyone would need therapy after that, but I digress. Until next time Constant Reader.

Just another day at the office.....

Well, thanks to this weekends successfull trip, I opted for Doodle instead of my truck for my morning commute. I sure like looking down outside my office and seeing my bus waiting on me. Reminds me of how great my trip home is gonna be.

Well, when lunchtime came, who do you think offered to drive? ME. so I loaded up some coworkers, took them to lunch in Doodle. Yes, they actually liked it. Gotta share the VW love when you can, I always say.

Sorry for the cell quality pics, its all I had. Regardless, Happy Valentines day to me!

Westfalia Shop Day!

To celebrate my new found Westfalia freedom, I decided to spend the day in Irving, Texas helping my crippled buddy try to get his camper back on the road. His legs were run over by a passing car while replacing the throttle cable on his bug, so hes in a big cast. SO. I decided it would be a perfect road test for Doodle, because his house is 83 miles away. I'm in, lets go.

What an ugly mug. Ah well. We make do with what God gives us. Doodle performs quite well all the way to Irving. The passing trucks make me wobble a bit, but Im pretty glad I sprung for the load rated tires. Not quite as bad as it could be. 65-75 all the way there. Right when I get there tho, Doodle starts chugging and sputtering. Once I get there, I find that one of the heater hoses has dropped down and gotten shredded in the fan. No es bueno. I cleaned it up, and had a great afternoon working. Doodle was clearly the bell of the ball.

Interesting side note about this camper here. This was my original sage green westy. 1978 model, and heavily rusted. I sold it to my friend Greg so I could buy Doodle. Sadly, its reached the end of its road. Its good parts are going to his orange bus, which is mostly rust free. Two combine down to make one, and BAM. El Gangreeno is born. Dont ask me. I dont name them.

Pictured here are two of my buddies, Robb Axelrod and Bill Bauer. Bill is working on his Sage Green Westy also, pictured later. He is bringing it back from WAAAAAY dead. Robb drives the Splitty.

Here is Robb and Bill again. Bills bus and you can see the red bug that Greg was working on when his legs got run over. Door is mangled.

Well, at days end, its time to go home. A little 93 ocatane, and I'm ready for the highway.

On the way back, I see a dealership, and swing in for a photo op with the new Jettas. Hmm. I think I'll keep what I got, thanks.

Again, 83 miles back to the house, with a tail wind, and I am running fine. Again though, right before I got home, Doodle started sputtering. I think its the points this time. Thinking about switching to electronic points. We shall see. Untill next time Constant Reader, drive somewhere in your bus today. It deserves it.