I MESSED UP - VW Bus Rocker Panel Restoration

[@georgeclements2742]

I really appreciate your perfectionism and your humility in accepting that, like all of us, you have much to learn. In the end you will end up with a bus that you are proud to own and drive and I look forward to following your journey getting there. Best wishes.

[@BrandonsBus]

As a beginner at this, I have to accept my lack of experience and knowledge. I think that’s why I chose to redo the rocker, becoming an expert takes starting over and admitting failures. I appreciate the comment!

[@frankyensan]

I am grateful for the long and the short version of this…

[@frankyensan]

Dude, I commented before you got to Klecko’s!!! I have thousands of them when I had an Airstream restoration company called Franks Trailer Works. I would love to swing by with a beer and talk shop and shit. Keep doing this man, you are an inspiration

[@BrandonsBus]

@@frankyensan I love Clecos! I feel like a "real" car restorer when I use them haha. Thanks for the comments man, I put a ton of work into the bus and channel, people like you make it worth it.

[@garethevans8761]

You only learn and improve from your failures! I do the same - not happy with the outcome, try again. The difficulty is knowing when something is ‘good enough’, and when you are chasing a perfection that doesn’t exist or isn’t worth the pursuit. Loving the videos! 🤙

[@BrandonsBus]

For sure there’s so much that’s “good enough” and probably on par for most of the restoration world. But I seriously can’t sleep if I’m not satisfied with the repair.

[@garethevans8761]

@@BrandonsBus I know the feeling! It’s definitely an ongoing battle 😅 No one else sees the imperfections but you though 💪

[@JonFukuda]

The commitment to excellence here is inspiring… some people say perfect is the enemy of good and I say fuck that… need to redo the rocker, redo it! Nice get on the Eastwood TIG rig and I really appreciated the Ryan Krause cameo - another resto creator I’ve been following for years.

[@BrandonsBus]

As a beginner at anything, starting over and trying again only means you get better! I appreciate your comment.

[@tomdale1313]

GREAT CONTENT, thxs for sharing...

[@pattybeeman]

An old tig welder helped me to avoid leaving little pinholes when you stop the arc. Move the arc away from the weld puddle out into solid metal where you are not welding as you decrease volt/amp with the pedal. This will decrease those little pin holes. If you do it quickly you can still hover over the weld spot and let the shielding gas cool the weld and prevent contaminants from oxidizing on the surface. I am not tig expert, but that little tip helped me with creating smoother tig welds.

[@BrandonsBus]

I love that tip! Thanks for the comment

[@FhVW]

I loved this episode! wishing I had a garage or tools like this.Time I have. Love to see the progress

[@BrandonsBus]

Some parts of the year I don’t have time due to my work but right now I’m working on the bus every day!

[@user-zy1mf6xz9t]

I will attempt to make sense of this 😅 IF you’re travel direction is to the Right…..try to run short “runs” 1 inch ,or so……then….. do the same thing , left of the previous,already welded STICH . with intent of control of warping Hope this helps

[@BrandonsBus]

This does help! Thanks!

[@gentibici]

these clickers will save my bus during this summer.. I didn't know them till I saw your video. Restoring a vw bus in Albania is a pain in the but buttttt I will manage to finish this year.. or maybe! thank you for your time to show us

[@BrandonsBus]

Nice! Keep at it!

[@backyardkombi5466]

Nice video. I’ll need to do this if I ever get back to my bus project.

[@BrandonsBus]

The long rocker is pretty satisfying to complete, and the tall replacement is only $80 from WW. Think you will get back at it this summer?

[@backyardkombi5466]

@@BrandonsBus that’s the plan. Soon as my teaching year is over and the rains are past to jump back on the bus. But I also need to remotivate myself.

[@madcapmagician6018]

Brother tig welding thin material is a pain. Make sure your amperage is set right for the thickness of the sheet metal and when you start start on one side go for about a half inch then move to the other end of the panel ... Slowly work your way to the middle, letting enough time pass between welding so everything will cool down. Also practice practice practice on any think gauge sheet metal before you go ahead on the final piece just practice until you can make good welds with no warpage, it just takes practice. 😁👍.

[@BrandonsBus]

Thanks for the comment! I practice almost every day on sheet metal scraps. Tig isn’t easy but I’ll get it!

[@glynharper1066]

Great work with the new tools, correct equipment make all the difference.

[@BrandonsBus]

There’s so many tool options in the auto restoration world, some of them aren’t necessary, but all of them make your life easier in some way!

[@DougTheedom-x8n]

Really enjoying watching your videos.

[@BrandonsBus]

Thanks for supporting me!

[@HubertusSchaper]

Hi Brandon. Great start with new tools the clecos was a good investmend aswell the new Welder and the spotwelder.will make your restorationwork a lot more comfortble, Great progress looking forward for the nex ep🇺🇸, Greetings.Hubertus🙏🏻🇳🇱🇳🇴🍀👍🏻☮🇺🇸

[@BrandonsBus]

Thanks! Having the right tools makes everything a little cleaner and easier. I appreciate all your comments and for following along my channel.

[@2JustMe1]

Congratulations on the new toy and as always a spectacular job.

[@BrandonsBus]

Thanks! Still is pretty awesome to see a tig welder in the garage.

[@2JustMe1]

@@BrandonsBus, I hear that. I remember when I got my first welders. I got a Snap-On mig welder back in 1987 (still working perfectly) and then my Lincoln tig welder in 1998, but that seriously needs an upgrade. BUT I started welding back in 1968 when my mother found an old Carbon Arc welder in a rummage sale and brought it home as a present. I was 6 and knew absolutely nothing about welding but started to pick it up. Made my first mono shock bicycle and thought I was pretty cool.

[@type2ryder417]

Nice work sir, Love how you are improving your process and skills.

[@BrandonsBus]

Thank you! Practice makes perfect

[@PompeyMatt17]

algorithm brought me here and I'm glad of it...I'm restoring my BMW Z3 and welded up the inner sills with my flux core...your description of "destructive nature" is perfect!..I ended up plugging blow holes with JB weld as I just got fed up...as for POR15 I found surface rust creeps through after a couple of weeks. I was also recommended to use 2k epoxy as well....subbed!

[@BrandonsBus]

It’s all a learning process! I’ve made so many mistakes it’s insane. But in a ton better now because of all that learning. Keep at it!

[@PompeyMatt17]

@@BrandonsBus likewise...people keep telling me "why put all this effort into nothing?"....you can't put a price on education and experience....

[@user-go9ki2xc6h]

Good work. Hello from Belarus 🇧🇾

[@BrandonsBus]

Hello! Thanks for following along!

[@richardw3294]

Great video talk and show! Thanks.

[@BrandonsBus]

Trying to narrate in my videos a little more! Glad you liked it.

[@benjaminrdoyle]

Good bye POR15, hello expoxy primer!! 🎉

[@BrandonsBus]

Hahah yea it was time. I spent so many hours sanding POR off because of poor adhesion. It was like a bad relationship where I thought I was doing everything wrong. 😑

[@DennisGhelfi]

I ran a off set along the seam and glued it at that area also

[@BrandonsBus]

That’s a good idea, on the inside the horizontal support hides the seam for me, so I could have added an overlap too.

[@richardsprojects]

Looking good , when tig welding cover up or you'll end up with sunburn

[@BrandonsBus]

For sure man, it’s that fine balance of not dying in the Florida sun at the same time not getting skin damage from welding.

[@jessegriffin9]

Where are the other parts, eg the engine? Are those in good condition? Just asking.

[@BrandonsBus]

The stock vw engine runs but is completely dismantled for cleaning and inspecting. I’m not sure if that engine is going back in, I might do a Subaru swap. 🤫

[@perfeicaodaantiguidade4710]

Parabéns pelo projeto meu amigo Lk

[@BrandonsBus]

Thank you for following along!

[@uh1200]

In the red Wig Stick is Torium that is Radioaktiv. Better take the gray Wig Stick without Torium the standing time at the gray is a little bit smaler but much better for your heals

[@BrandonsBus]

Thanks for this! I was about to buy the red, trying the grey now.

[@christianmccollum1028]

Van freaking tastic!!! Excellent job so far, man. On my bus I'm just doing wheel arches, rear lower corners and battery trays right now. I hope to tackle big repairs like this one day... if I ever gut the interior to a blank slate. Gotta start saving for a TIG machine and panel adhesive after watching this!

[@BrandonsBus]

Tig makes a huge difference with bodywork! Mig is great for plug welding and frame repairs but it’s too brittle and hard for bodywork.

[@BrandonsBus]

Thanks so much for the comment btw, sorry for the late response

[@user-ig6zu9lz4z]

Наконец то видосик вышел. Удачи Вам в восстановлении автобуса

[@SanDiego_VDubLife]

Pretty sweet dude. I need to learn all that. I bought two welders and I haven’t used either one😊. The second one is from Eastwood but it’s a mig. I will eventually move on to tig in the future. 😁

[@BrandonsBus]

Practice, practice, practice! I wish I practiced more before I started welding on the bus. I have had to go back and redo some work because of it.

[@bryanjones6952]

This looks Amazing, Great Choice!❤😊

[@BrandonsBus]

It might take me a decade longer to restore everything, but at least it will be done right 😭

[@alonsoaymore7356]

Excelente. Sucesso aí nos trabalhos

[@BrandonsBus]

Thank you!

[@centerbayclassics]

Congrats on the new welder! Great video!

[@BrandonsBus]

I’m practicing tig everyday! I also have a huge replacement metal order on its way so it’s about to get fun.

[@centerbayclassics]

@@BrandonsBus Nice 👍

[@AlbieSol560]

Great work! Inspirational.

[@BrandonsBus]

Thank you! It’s tough recording and editing but I’m glad I’m sharing my journey.

[@weshipitjamaica4354]

Good move on the clecos - Boeing Tech

[@BrandonsBus]

Yea they feel like a tool that will last 50 years.

[@aircola1]

Why don't you solder with cusi3? Cusi3 wire in the MIG welding machine and argon as gas. Doesn't generate so much heat and the sheet metal doesn't warp. Has been used for years in car restoration.

[@BrandonsBus]

Tig seems generally easier to control heat, but I’ve also never used the mig wire you speak of, I’ll have to look into it!

[@savannahlion3081]

Much better ! 🤘🦁🤘

[@BrandonsBus]

Right!?! It was totally worth the redo

[@Doubleodude]

Dude I’m so proud for you. I learn something with every video. Congratulations on the support from manufacturers for your content and excellent editing. Looking forward to the next one. @rustydubbs

[@BrandonsBus]

Thank you for always having a kind and encouraging comment!

[@robertgomez4370]

Keep up the good work!

[@BrandonsBus]

Thanks! In the garage every day!

[@camping_with_tywan]

LFG!!

[@davetyson2331]

like the new welder

[@BrandonsBus]

Thanks! I’m still getting the hang of it, but so far it’s amazing

[@madcapmagician6018]

Welding just takes practice.

[@BrandonsBus]

For sure, just when I had kinda figured out mig now I have tig to learn. I try and practice daily.

[@tomswindler64]

Nice 😎😎😎👍👍👍

[@BrandonsBus]

It did turn out nice 😊

[@jenssirbensonmam4822]

Love Your videos! But: Has Your beard always burnt from welding and grinding? ;-)

[@BrandonsBus]

The beard takes a beating.

[@user-ig6zu9lz4z]

Друг мой одевайте очки при работе с отрезными машинками, берегите глаза