FIXING FIRE DAMAGE METAL OR NOT

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 8:04 pm
First, thanks for letting me into the Forum. I'm in Central Oregon, Retired, and restore old vehicles. My last restore was a 1955 F350 Flatbed. I'm working on a 1969 VW Squareback, 1964 Ranchero, and a 1937 Harley Trike.

Yesterday, our 1970 VW Bus caught fire while I was driving (I had just replaced the Alternator and had taken it for a test drive). Now, I'm looking at the burnt hulk of a Bus and thinking, Well here's a blank canvas. But looking at the roof the fire warped the roof so much it came off of the supports. The doors aren't closing or opening, so now I'm asking myself if this is going to be worth working on.

With my 55 there was a fair amount of damage to the truck so I learned how to lead and repair damaged panels. I have a fair amount of body tools and hours of body work under my belt, but I have never taken on a task like this. I don't have a shrinking hammer but have been wanting to purchase one.

I did search for the subject of working fire damaged metal and read VWBobby's reply; he's even in the same State as I am.

I can post pictures if that'll help, as soon as I figure out how and how to use my phone.

Thanks again for letting me join the Forum.



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PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 11:27 pm
:welcome: yes post some pictures it sounds like it burnt quite a lot of it is the motor and trans ok how about the front suspension. your probably going to have a heap of money in replacement parts, you might be better off looking for a body. I had a chance to get a MG TD for free, it was in a pole building with a bunch of other stuff that caught fire. it was a total mess, even if you could have spent years trying to straighten the metal then were do you get all the other stuff. one neat thing about it all the aluminum stuff was there only in melted puddles on the floor.
Jay D. from the Oregon coast
they say my name is Jay



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PostPosted: Thu Jul 05, 2018 11:25 pm
IMG_20180704_184649801.jpg
IMG_20180704_184634720_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg
IMG_20180704_184641618.jpg
IMG_20180704_184709487_HDR.jpg
1970 VW BUS

Here are photos of my Wife's 1970 VW Bus. The engine is a huge melted paper weight. I'm sure all of the rubber components are toast (no pun intended). I have no idea about the transaxle. Frankly, I'm waiting to be contacted by the Insurance Company.



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Joined: Tue May 19, 2009 7:10 pm
Location: OREGON COAST
PostPosted: Fri Jul 06, 2018 11:09 am
if its covered by insurance take the money and run, run fast.
Jay D.
they say my name is Jay



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PostPosted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 10:27 am
Ya that body is beyond salvaging. :shocked:
The Temper (Hardness) in the metal is gone.
I have seen a few cars brought back to life after a fire but not any that far gone.
Your a Brave soul for thinking about trying though. :knockout:

I would look for another one, maybe a Rusty one? for cheap then maybe you could use the burnt one for rust repair patches? be a lot easier and cheaper in the end.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.



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PostPosted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 10:22 pm
Well, I only had liability insurance on the Bus. So I have this burnt hulk in back of my shop. Figured I would pull it in and see if I could salvage anything.

I hear ya, the temper in the metal is all gone. For sure in the roof panel. I asked my Wife if she would want me to make it into a Vanwagen but she said no. She suggested maybe a convertible VW Bus, since the only time she drives it was during the summer.

I also suggested we make it into a AWD with a boxer engine, she was interested.

I'll see what the Bus looks like once I get it up on the rack. Salvage some pieces and maybe do as Doright suggested, find a rusted out Bus and restore that.

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