Kharon
Pro
VWs: '61 typ2, '63 typ 14, '65 typ34, '74 412 & -75 typ261 Also other cars & bikes.
Posts: 77
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Post by Kharon on Jul 15, 2011 15:25:49 GMT -8
Problem: I've really bad chrome on bumpers. For now my budget don't allow rechroming so some cheaper (temporary but something I bear to look) is sought after as current bumpers look pretty nasty even from 10 feet away while rest of the car is almost ok from that distance.  I've seen chrome paints and unfortuntely cheap ones don't look chrome at all and expensive ones are almost as expensive as chroming. So how about paint, like many type2s? Either chassis colour or blue white (like roof in dual coloured sea blue Ghia)? Any ideas welcome as I'm out of those now. |
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Post by Lee Hedges on Jul 15, 2011 16:18:20 GMT -8
In the long run you won't be happy with painting your bumpers. It will be wasted time & money. Best advice is to ask for specific bumper parts that you need and buy them from T34 World owners that have spares to offer. Paying $50-75 for a bumper corner that is OK and better than the one you have now is the right answer. TheSamba has several ads for bumper parts at $65 each or $150 for the 3-piece front bumper that is very reasonable. Nico is in the Netherlands and I'd bet you could even pick it up in person to save the shipping costs: www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=996084What bumper parts do you need? |
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Kharon
Pro
VWs: '61 typ2, '63 typ 14, '65 typ34, '74 412 & -75 typ261 Also other cars & bikes.
Posts: 77
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Post by Kharon on Jul 16, 2011 3:41:14 GMT -8
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Post by Lee Hedges on Jul 16, 2011 7:58:01 GMT -8
You don't need to replace your bumper blade pieces, only get them rechromed or polished. There isn't any major rust that I can see. Start by polishing them. If that doesn't work to your satisfaction then save your money and rechrome them. It cost me about $250 per 3-piece bumper blade here in the USA for rechroming.
As for the bumper guards, you can buy good used ones for $50 each and NOS ones for $100 each. Your 1965 had the early "pointed" version with the studs that are permanently mounted to the inside of the bumper guard. These, of course, are much more difficult to find than the later "rounded" version. Ask Carsten what he has available. I'm sure you can find a set you can live with.
T34s are a special model, and the parts are difficult to find & expensive when you do. But that's the beauty of restoring a T34, it's not something that just anyone can do. Take your time, make a priority list, save your money, and do it right one step at a time. If it seems too expensive, then sell the T34 now before you get too deep into the restoration.
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Kharon
Pro
VWs: '61 typ2, '63 typ 14, '65 typ34, '74 412 & -75 typ261 Also other cars & bikes.
Posts: 77
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Post by Kharon on Jul 16, 2011 16:36:47 GMT -8
Or maybe I'm trying too much at once. Like two other (unplanned) projects at the same time. I knew when I started that parts are hard to find and/or expensive, that's not really news but a nasty deadline is nearing fast: 50th anniversary in September. That adds hurry and that's bad thing. I ordered a bunch of parts from Carsten a while ago and those should arrive later this week, we'll see what the car looks like with those. I was looking mobile.de again (classic mistake, eh?) and now there are several nice T34s in <10k euros range, even one 1600L Automatic at 9800 euros. When I was looking for mine year ago, I couldn't find any in several months, except the one I eventually bought. I could probably sell it here in Finland (registered and drivable but otherwise as it is) for same amount I paid for it or with a small loss and use the money to buy a better one. A backup plan I had when I bought the car so not really a problem. But major strain to the budget isnt' really the T34, but two other projects, T14 and -87 BMW 750 which are not proceeding as planned at all. First one has now wrong intake manifold and carburator and as it has rebuilt engine, it needs to have correct parts asap. Measurement mistake:I used an intake manifold and carburator which is so high that the engine bay lid won't close, so I've to replace that with dual carbs, not a big total loss but for a while I'll have three DellOrtos and their manifolds. Secone one needs some minor work, registration and tax paid, then I can sell it forwards, probably with a small profit but for now it's tying my resources. I got it so cheap I had to buy it and sale offer was total surprise, so an unplanned expense or investment; you can see it both ways. Couple of thousands anyway (euros) and that buys some major work to T34 or change to a better one .... one of those for sale in mobile.de was green and it looks lovely ... I have to ponder this later. But I'm not sure if I'd be happy to have old cars like these with Jay Leno style: You just own and drive and you have a couple of mechnics to build & maintenance them: I like to tinker myself more than having something done for me. BTW: It's 3:30AM here. |
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Post by Carsten Klein on Jul 17, 2011 23:57:52 GMT -8
well ... finding good chrome bumper parts is a lot more expensive here in europe Lee ... we all would like to find guards at 50 - 70 Euro ( instead of usd ) but ... no chance ...
i have a lot of them in any condition, grabbed from several barns and garages ...at least may be 20 - 24 later ones and a small qty of early ones ( one good set for myself as a spare ) some others
all need to be worked on ...
same with corners and centers ... all " in stock " in different conditions ...
parts from the netherlands are offered since a long time ... ;-)
Tuomas
as i remember the vlue T34 you re now owning, the chrome is acceptable ... start with what Lee suggested ... it will help and this is no major issue.
engine
i would disassemble the whole the engine and check it completely after being stored and not running such a long time !!!!
parts
if you locate parts i can always help and assist with getting these Tumoas and send
them to Finland !
T34s on mobile:
i know all cars, they are not really better than the obe you have now !!!!
please keep in mind, that the T34 cars prices are ising dramatically and that many owners
trying to sell their "junk" cars right now !
a good T34 will cost appprox 20000 euros here, and a RARE finds today and will be RARER finds in the
future ....
reasonable T 34s in driving condition can be found at 10 - 15000 euro ...
i now a car that might be a good one for you!
carsten
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Post by Timo Tanhuanpää on Jul 19, 2011 4:34:37 GMT -8
Tuomas I found a place in finland that does rechoming of the bumber guards for approx 50-80€ per piece so I think that thats not so bad price for rechoming over here.
Niklaamorautio.fi
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Post by Carsten Klein on Jul 19, 2011 5:33:02 GMT -8
good price !!!!
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Post by Timo Tanhuanpää on Jul 19, 2011 5:45:06 GMT -8
But ofcource thats what they said on a phone so price might change when they get the actual piece to their hands.
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Kharon
Pro
VWs: '61 typ2, '63 typ 14, '65 typ34, '74 412 & -75 typ261 Also other cars & bikes.
Posts: 77
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Post by Kharon on Jul 20, 2011 8:56:49 GMT -8
Niklaamo Rautio is a familiar place, I've asked re-chroming from them earlier for my type14, whole bumpers for that (towel bars and all, it's a US model) about 600 euros per bumper. T34 has simpler bumpers and smaller parts (T14 rear bumper blade is a single piece, thus expensive) so it should be cheaper like Timo suggests. They also have a long queue, if I send parts in today, I'll get them back somewhere in spring 2012.  (But they bill on delivery so OK for me.) OK guys, you got me convinced: I'll send those to re-chrome and if necessary, I'll eat porridge at March ... I'm too fat anyway. |
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Post by bobnotch on Jul 20, 2011 9:01:27 GMT -8
You don't need to replace your bumper blade pieces, only get them rechromed or polished. There isn't any major rust that I can see. Start by polishing them. If that doesn't work to your satisfaction then save your money and rechrome them. It cost me about $250 per 3-piece bumper blade here in the USA for rechroming. Who did your chroming Lee? I'm only asking, because that's on my winter list of things I want to do. Unfortunately, mine have some real rust that won't polish out (chrome flaked off, and rust started), and my rear middle section is bent.  |
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Post by Lee Hedges on Jul 20, 2011 10:16:12 GMT -8
My 1962 chrome was done in 1999 by a Los Angeles plating shop, organized by Bill & Steve's. I don't think they are available now.
My 1965 chrome was done in 2008 by another Los Angeles plating shop, organized by our Southern California rep Bob Walton (BobWalton@T34World.org). They were able to fill holes, fix dents & rust, and triple-plate the chrome for excellent show-quality results. Prices were reasonable but not cheap.
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Post by Timo Tanhuanpää on Jul 20, 2011 21:59:20 GMT -8
 Ofcource you should try metalpolis first as you can make wonders whit that stuff. |
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Post by bobnotch on Jul 21, 2011 5:11:01 GMT -8
My 1962 chrome was done in 1999 by a Los Angeles plating shop, organized by Bill & Steve's. I don't think they are available now. My 1965 chrome was done in 2008 by another Los Angeles plating shop, organized by our Southern California rep Bob Walton (BobWalton@T34World.org). They were able to fill holes, fix dents & rust, and triple-plate the chrome for excellent show-quality results. Prices were reasonable but not cheap. Thanks Lee. I thought that was who you had take care of them. I've got Bob's direct e-mail address here, as we've communicated before on some other stuff. I just didn't know IF they could fix the pitting. |
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Post by Carsten Klein on Jul 22, 2011 2:23:46 GMT -8
to get later bumper guards in any condition is no problem ... i have a lot of them and i know of a huge stock !!!! early pointed gurads are rare finds !!! :-(
the rices for rechroming are different but the quakity is too!!!!
good rechroming quality here is about 750 euro !!! or even more for a complete bumper exclusive the guards !!!
NOS corners price in europe is up to 330 euro for ONE !!!! corner !!!!
complete bumper ex guards NOS is 1500 euro !!!!
thats just for your info
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