$5 Ebay special to become RL Bug resto/custom. Following the pix, it started as a paintbrushed orange RL NSR Custom Bug with the ladybug on the roof. I drilled out the rivets, stripped the paint, filed casting lines and window openings, steel wooled it, and ... that is where I am at now. After cleaning, I'll prime it and re-check the body for smoothness, then paint it pink, for my wife, clearcoat it, etc. I have to clean up the base too as you can see overpaint on it and maybe go for some replacement RL's or RR's. I'll update this as I make progress.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/ruby67_/RedLines/pink%20custom%20Bug/P8010627.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/ruby67_/RedLines/pink%20custom%20Bug/P8010631.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/ruby67_/RedLines/pink%20custom%20Bug/P8010633.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/ruby67_/RedLines/pink%20custom%20Bug/P8010636.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/ruby67_/RedLines/pink%20custom%20Bug/P8020626.jpg

Where yat DC,
Man, you're moving right along there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like you have a good plan and are making good progress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anxious to see more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

--CadillacPat the UnCustomizer--
Keeping the ZING in CustomiZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/BulletProofWebcopy.jpg

I really want to see this one finished

Working on primer but dealing with humidity from the rain right now.

Well, I ran out of gray primer so I switched to black, which I know is too dark a base for this pink, but I just wanted to get an idea of what it would look like and share it with you guys. Obviously it is getting stripped and redone, especially given the bumped fender smudge. Maybe tomorrow I'll try again and post updates.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/ruby67_/RedLines/pink%20custom%20Bug/pinkidea.jpg

Nice start on that custom! cant wait to see it done!

that was one battered bug, can't wait to see it done.

Looking good! Keep those pics a coming!

I re-stripped it and re-primed and painted it. I sprayed the engine with an aluminum paint. I also flat blacked the based since it was black plastic anyway with overpaint on it. Now I am clearcoating it. When it dries I will post update pix in a little while.

2 coats of 'cerise'/cherry pink plus 2 coats of clearcoat

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/ruby67_/RedLines/pink%20custom%20Bug/pink2clearcoated.jpg

That looks good! is that airbrush or rattle can?

Krylon ratttle can paint then clearcoat, believe it or not. Done carefully, rattle cans come out ok, but a far cry from perfectly smooth when you get up real close. It doesn't need to be that perfect for me since this is just for the fun of it for personal display as an amateur. Eventually I want to start using the airbrush I got a couple of years ago but I need to find a paint supplier first.

Ok, here is where I'm at. I repainted the body and clearcoated it, painted the headlights, highlighted exhaust tips, and touched up the chrome on the RL's. Right now it is just loosely assembled to get the idea. I still have to clean up the windows or get a replacement.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/ruby67_/RedLines/pink%20custom%20Bug/P8090639.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/ruby67_/RedLines/pink%20custom%20Bug/P8090640.jpg

Hey DC,
you may be able to use your current glass there is a how to on http://www.hotworldcustoms.com/ hope this helps

Thanks for the tip. I haven't found a how-to there yet for removing paint from the plastic windows but I will keep looking.

Found it! I was looking for it as its own topic in the left column whereas it is in the how-to's section itself. With patience, lots of patience, I can start with very fine sand paper to remove the paint then use the process you referred me to. Thanks!