May 2013
2 posts
6 tags
14 tags
July 2012
2 posts
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June 2012
2 posts
8 tags
8 tags
February 2012
2 posts
11 tags
11 tags
Great Progress
Finally put some time into the Bus yesterday and installed some parts we’ve had ready for a long time.
Installed the last door panel on the sliding door so now all the door panels match. It really looks great and completes the feel of the interior.
Replaced a busted visor clip so now the visor won’t bounce around.
Installed the engine seal that wraps around the engine bay and keeps...
January 2012
5 posts
11 tags
19 tags
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7 tags
October 2011
2 posts
20 tags
Night Time Long Exposure
Decided to take the Nikon D3100 out for some night time photography, and what a better subject than the bus! Check it out:
Check out the moon!
See the high-res versions here
Tomorrow we’ll be taking the bus to a local Metalfest/canned food drive. We plan on selling some of our art out of bus! We really taking on this hippy thing full bore…will provide pics!...
7 tags
The bus is back!
Finally got the key fixed! Took the bus out in the first major rain of the season to get some vegan/vegetarian groceries and he ran like a champ! Even after sitting for almost 2 months. More updates to follow! We plan to sell some of our art pieces out of the bus this weekend. Happy to be back!
September 2011
1 post
August 2011
5 posts
5 tags
7 tags
12 tags
Mail is here!
Got a couple of goodies in the mail today!
Finally I can stop checking for a mirror and actually see traffic beside me.
Definitely evens out the look of the front.
Also tried fitting the sliding door panel to make sure it’ll work before we upholster it
And of course a gratuitous shot of the pup chillin in the back
That’s it for now! The last panel should be finished soon!
11 tags
8 tags
We got the blues
The theme is really starting to come together as we finish the smaller pieces around the back of the bus. The blue flowing from front to back really shows how it is all coming together. We do plan to reupholster the rear bench, but it works for now.
We also picked up a new Nikon D3100! So the quality of pictures and composition will be better!
The last remaining panel!
I got this stuff at...
July 2011
17 posts
8 tags
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Biggest Panel
Back to the grind. The biggest panel of the bus has now been finished and is in the bus! The flow of the blue and the plaid is really starting to take over and it looks great! Starting to really be able to visualize the finished interior!
Hoping to have the inside panels done before Baby Adam arrives!
11 tags
Hiking Adventure
Had to take a break from working on the upholstery to hike up Mission Peak, a hike that takes us 2517 feet up to the summit for a view of the San Francisco Bay Area like no other. Of course we had to take the bus on this adventure!
Me sitting on top of the Bay….
Exhausted after and happy to see the bus!
I did manage to get one of the kick panels finished, we’re really...
4 tags
Last Panel!
The last panel that needs to be sewn is under way, after these last big panels it’s all smooth sailing! Hoping to be done by the end of the weekend!
My new found friend:
Me!
Finished pics coming soon!
9 tags
Quick trip to the dog park
Well not every post can be about an improvement to the bus. This one is about enjoying it! My grandma who has lived on the east coast for my entire life is finally moving to California! We wanted to take our pup Myles to the dogpark and decided to take the bus for a Saturday stroll. Everything really is more fun in the bus!
Up next is the side door panels!
12 tags
Front Door Panels Done
We seem to be hitting our stride now. The driver side door panel went a lot smoother than the passenger panel. With both front doors completed the bus is already feeling closer to completion! The weather this week hasn’t been so great, but I can’t wait to take him out for a cruise!
Interior Inspiration
This is not our bus, but this is the layout I aim to go for (minus the closet, we have a full width bed). I love the idea of a jump seat so you can just park and hang out. I will also be adding a folding table.
I have been taking tons of inspiration from this guys site, check it out! He makes it look so easy!
http://panelproject.files.wordpress.com/
I am hoping to start on the jump seat in...
We own it!
After passing the elusive smog, we’re proud to say we officially own the bus! He’s in our name!
Speaking of which…he needs a name!
8 tags
We did it!
WE FINALLY PASSED SMOG
Luckily we didn’t have to get professional help to get the Bus in shape. We changed the oil, put SeaFoam in the gas tank, bought a new gas cap with a tight seal, and then drove on the freeway for 40 minutes prior to the smog check to get the engine nice and hot.
Now we can enjoy for the next two years! A glorious day…
10 tags
One Panel Done!
The door upholstery has been about two weeks in the making, but we finally were able to make big steps towards getting our freshly bought fabric in the bus. After a few practices on the sewing machine, we felt confident (enough) to give it a try. A few tutorials later and we were well on our way. After searching for a bit to find the right padding and spray adhesive, the sun set on us as we...
12 tags
4th of July with the Bus!
Although we’ve been putting around town doing various things in the Bus, Independence night was our first real adventure in the Bus. We loaded her up with chairs, blankets, coolers, a gas stove and the materials to make smores. We cruised on over to the Alameda Naval Base which was packed! We had a 180 degree view of fireworks going off all around us! Our friends are falling in love with the...
Sew it begins...
Finally got our hands on a sewing machine and practiced sewing some piping last night. Hopefully this weekend we’ll be able to start upholstering the door panels! Stay tuned for pictures…
We also got the oil changed, but can’t take it get smog tested until we find a gas cap that fits (which is turning out to be very difficult).
Hopefully we can take it out this weekend!
Happy...
June 2011
5 posts
Note to self...
Note to self, next time don’t leave the gas cap on the roof…
A preview of the future
So now that the exterior is looking pretty good, we thought we’d look into fabric for our door panels. After standing in Walmart for an hour (it was a clearance, we had to move!) we finally decided on a blue vinyl top, black piping and a gray plaid bottom, previewed below:
Now to find a sewing machine!
A busy weekend
This past weekend we really made a big effort getting some rust under control and planning for the next step.
First I removed the front bumper, sanded it down and painted it.
Here’s a shot before:
The bumper off:
And after:
Also did the rear bumper:
You can see it wasn’t as bad, but it definitely looked cleaned up after:
The biggest undertaking was the roof, which had...
7 tags
7 tags
Welcome home!
My wife and I had a dream come true when we found a Volkswagen bus in good condition for a price we could afford. We always wanted one, and with the birth of our son only a few weeks away we thought what a great time to get a fun family vehicle. We bought the bus from an awesome younger couple in Santa Cruz, California.
Here are the original pictures we received from them:
...
