• Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 558

Topic: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

Thought I'd not clutter up the forums and condense a few questions...

1. Where on earth do you get touch up paint for a 39 year old Ghia? Every auto parts store has one yellow paint for all imports, and it's NOT sunshine yellow!

2. Anybody put a non-absorbent liner in the compartments under the rear seat in a Ghia and use that space for storage? I know it's usually damp or rusty there, but mine seems in good shape (not original though).

3. I was all set to install a slick detachable face stereo, then found out the opening is 1/8th inch too short. I'm not hacking the opening, so is there an under-dash mount available that would be less damaging? If I do that, then I can mount a small tach and voltage meter where the cheap radio is now without cutting.

Any opinions would be appreciated!

Paul

  • From: So Cal
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 675

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

You can buy the paint by the quart if you have the paint code number, one of our trusty VW guys should be able to point you in the right direction. I don't have a Ghia so you will have to wait for a Ghia person to answer that one. As far as a stereo are you going to listen to ABBA? If so then you need good speakers...lol  I used two metal angles with holes that match the sides of my stereo and it is mounted with two sheet metal screws under the dash. I didn't want anyone to see my stereo and I liked the idea of a blank dash.

Not a proud owner of Sally 1969 Sedan with a burned 1915 tiger under the deck lid.
Also George a 1957 Sedan, not yet started with Resto.
  • From: City of Roses
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 793

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

Hiya Paul,

1.  You will need the original paint formula code.  For example, both my cars are painted Savanna Beige which has a paint code of L620.  If I take that paint code to any automptive paint shop or store they will be able to mix the proper color.  Since you are looking at touch-up kind of approach, I'd recommend that you head on down to your local NAPA parts house.  Many NAPAs have a paint mixing facility right in the store.  Obviously then,  some will not.  But I'm sure they'd be able to steer you toward a NAPA that does do paint mixing.  Having paint mixed at NAPA has some distinct advantages over using one of the online services such as Paintscatch.com.  You will get you paint immediately.  It will be cheaper (though not inexpensive).  And the paint tech at NAPA can actually tweak the formula to match the weathered paint actually on your car.

The paint will be mixed while you wait (about 15 minutes).  The cost the last time I had this done was about $50 for 3 aerosol cans.  Yes they can do aerosol cans or quarts if you so prefer.  I've found the aerosol cans to be great.  I've actually had the tech take a look at my car and adjust the formula to match (you sure cannot do that with an online service!) and he did a great job.

2.  Dunno, I've never had a KG.   However, were I putting stuff under the rear seat in my Bug I would not put any sort of liquid (no matter the container).  That begs for problems from condensation and/or leaks.  I'd be looking for a porous rubber liner to cushion the ride and protect the stuff and any components that might be in the area.  Finally, I'd think long and hard about throwing some sort of dessicant back there also.

3.   Not hacking the opening?  Good call there.   Thought about installing a radio from that era?  A Sapphire or a Blaupunkt?  Thought about using the glove compartment for a radio/stereo home?  Many have gone that route.  Finally it just might be possible to get today's quality and features in a unit that fits in your dash and looks like a period radio.  There are a number of retro radio outfits that do just this sort of work.  Spendy, but pretty darn neat.

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck
  • From: B.C.Canada
  • Registered: 2005-01-26
  • Posts: 2,610

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

Glove box>

http://www.cip1.ca/ProductDetails.asp?P … e=C13-3033

Retro radio>

http://www.cip1.ca/ProductDetails.asp?P … 25-CLASSIC

jim

'71 SB(DD only 79K(now 84K miles) & '78 FI Westy (project)
PO of '65 Beetle in '69, '70 Crewcab & '70 Ghia in '77
'71 Super inside rear vents now available
http://www.openroad.ca/volkswebbin/view … p?id=85915
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

Paul: From the paint chips on the Online Karmann Ghia Resource, Sunshine Yellow has a paint code of L11E.

See: http://www.type-14.com/ then look at paint chips and scroll down to 1970.

http://www.type-14.com/paint.htm#L11E

Clancy

  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 558

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

Thanks for the advice and direction everybody! I only wanted touch up until I can get it painted properly, as there are some minor but ugly gashes in the paint I want to hide. One on top of the fender that looks like the shop dropped something on it, and one that looks like they used the wrong jack and ground a stripe of paint off the side.

As far as storage under the seat, it would be short term storage, or only an item or two that does not absorb  moisture. The porous rubber mats are a great idea. I was thinking like a 12v worklight, a little socket kit, and a spare belt. Some things I would not be keeping there are fresh fruit, wet shoes, and leaky jars of battery acid... Lol!

Glove compartment radio sounds like a good idea. I don't listen to the radio much in the KG, but want to be able to when I want. Under the dash would be more convienient, but I think that would be a target. My other car had a flip-screen DVD player that looked fairly obscure when off and folded, but someone busted the window and ripped the dash wide open to get to it, and that was in an area with plenty of police!

Only tip off in the Ghia (if I go glovebox) is the 5 1/2 inch radio shack speakers in the rear shelf from the previous owner. Got to get rid of those and replace the parcel shelf carpet. A speaker box in the rear storage compartment seems to work well, but looks a bit out of place when the seat is down.


Paul

  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 558

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

Looked for the paint code, thought it would be on the tag in the trunk, but I guess elsewhere?

Also, the more I take apart this car the more it looks like the original color was actually Castilian Yellow (paint code L10K). The color of the car right now looks like Saturn Yellow, but in the trunk where some of the respray has peeled, underneath looks like Castilian Yellow. I initially thought it was light brown primer, but I guess not. I'm all for restoration, but what if you don't like the color?

Anyway, a pic of the tag and color underneath the respray are below...

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee288/altema/Karmann%20Ghia/Ghiatag.jpg


And in the trunk in the spare tire well...

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee288/altema/Karmann%20Ghia/Ghiapeel.jpg

  • From: City of Roses
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 793

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

Hiya Paul,

According the chart linked by Clancy the only "yellow" offered in the 1970 production year (on a KG) is Pampas Yellow, L10E.  And it looks like that MIGHT be the underlying color.

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck
  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 558

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

Bookwus wrote:

Hiya Paul,

According the chart linked by Clancy the only "yellow" offered in the 1970 production year (on a KG) is Pampas Yellow, L10E.  And it looks like that MIGHT be the underlying color.

Yep, that looks like it. The photo is showing lighter than it does to the naked eye due to camera flash. They did offer a sunshine yellow after August '70, but I know mine is an early '70 because of the electrical system. I really don't care for Pampas Yellow or Sunshine Yellow (the first looks like light brown, the second looks like yellowish brown... to me at least!). The Saturn Yellow is close to the respray color and I like it, but not as much as I would like brilliant red (which is actually quite dark), or midnight blue with a white top. I saw a lowlight in Brilliant Red (L353) and it took my breath away.

  • From: B.C.Canada
  • Registered: 2005-01-26
  • Posts: 2,610

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

I like the under seat idea. I may move some junk that clutters my trunk like spare belt and a small compressor and scissors jack to under the rear seat. Just have to be wary of the wiring on the rear defroster relay and regulator. The jack would have to be secured for sure. I already have a small battery charger in there hooked to the battery and twinned to the 120 volt plug for the block heater. Might as well fill it up under there and free up trunk space.

They have cat stereo's with remote controls now. Anyone ever put one somewhere out of site and just use the remote? Are they infra red or what? I was considering that for my Westy. Instead of hacking the dash I was thinking of putting an old size radio in front and a good modern stereo system in the back with a remote control on the dash. Wouldn't work if you have to point the remote at the stereo though.

jim

'71 SB(DD only 79K(now 84K miles) & '78 FI Westy (project)
PO of '65 Beetle in '69, '70 Crewcab & '70 Ghia in '77
'71 Super inside rear vents now available
http://www.openroad.ca/volkswebbin/view … p?id=85915
  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 558

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

jamesdagg wrote:

They have cat stereo's with remote controls now. Anyone ever put one somewhere out of site and just use the remote? Are they infra red or what? I was considering that for my Westy. Instead of hacking the dash I was thinking of putting an old size radio in front and a good modern stereo system in the back with a remote control on the dash. Wouldn't work if you have to point the remote at the stereo though.

jim

Most stereos that are designed for hidden use will have a remote sensor that plugs into the unit. This will let you to put the stereo wherever, and the small IR sensor somewhere discreet like under the dash. For those without that feature, they make IR extenders that have a small sensor to pick up the remote, and an emitter to pass the remote signals to the stereo. I like the glovebox idea for the stereo, but could not find one for the Ghis, probably because the original space is much smaller than the bug.

  • From: B.C.Canada
  • Registered: 2005-01-26
  • Posts: 2,610

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

So what's wrong with the retro unit from CIP1? Fits right in and is modern but looks old. If my dash wasn't already hacked by the PO that's probably what I'd do.

jim

'71 SB(DD only 79K(now 84K miles) & '78 FI Westy (project)
PO of '65 Beetle in '69, '70 Crewcab & '70 Ghia in '77
'71 Super inside rear vents now available
http://www.openroad.ca/volkswebbin/view … p?id=85915
  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 558

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

jamesdagg wrote:

So what's wrong with the retro unit from CIP1? Fits right in and is modern but looks old. If my dash wasn't already hacked by the PO that's probably what I'd do.

jim

Nothing's wrong with it, and I'm leaning towards that way anyways. Only thing holding me back right now is the price. Matter of fact, the tach that I wanted to put in the radio spot was installed last night below the dash. I removed the ash tray and put it aside, then used one of the existing mounting screws to attach the tach support.

  • From: B.C.Canada
  • Registered: 2005-01-26
  • Posts: 2,610

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

Yeah the price is high but it does make it easy. I worry about using expensive stereo's in my Beetle due to the possibility of water leaks. I fried one stereo due to a bad windshield seal and another when my in-dash washer switch started to drip. I have a marine stereo now. lol And I live in a desert. lol x2

jim

'71 SB(DD only 79K(now 84K miles) & '78 FI Westy (project)
PO of '65 Beetle in '69, '70 Crewcab & '70 Ghia in '77
'71 Super inside rear vents now available
http://www.openroad.ca/volkswebbin/view … p?id=85915
  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 558

Re: Touch up paint, rear seat storage, opinions on radio

jamesdagg wrote:

Yeah the price is high but it does make it easy. I worry about using expensive stereo's in my Beetle due to the possibility of water leaks. I fried one stereo due to a bad windshield seal and another when my in-dash washer switch started to drip. I have a marine stereo now. lol And I live in a desert. lol x2

jim

Maine stereo... Lol is right! Good idea though, expecially when the likely dripping destination is electronics. Don't know how it is in the bug, but the KG fuse panel/terminal block is there also. To top things off, the washer hose runs right by the radio and terminal block, and mine sprang a leak.