Paint supplier Standox has played a key role in the restoration of an iconic VW T2b. The vehicle was transformed from something of a rusting hulk to a show classic in around 250 hours. The VW has now completed an anniversary tour and is being used for customer visits, events and trade shows.

When Karsten Schwab, one of the managing directors at Höschen und Schwab, an accident and refinish bodyshop in Wuppertal, Germany, first saw the 1976 iconic T2b, he was rather shocked. “The bodywork was badly dented and corroded,” he says.  “It wasn’t only the large amount of rust, but also the old, cracked paint job that made our task difficult. We sanded the bus right down to bare metal and sandblasted it, rectified old accident damage, panel-beat the roof, and filled dents with putty, then smoothed them over.”

Rust is a common problem in classic car restoration. To address it, Standox offers a range of products that lastingly protect cars against corrosion. To insulate the bare metal, Höschen und Schwab relied on Standox Etching Adhesion Primer U3100 and the VOC System Filler U7540.

The bus was painted in Standofleet 2K HS Topcoat for commercial vehicles in Standox blue. It also  carries the bowtie-shaped Standox logo that dates back to the brand’s early days.

Olaf Adamek, Standox Brand Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa, says, “I am delighted that we have been able to give the old vintage bus its good looks back. The VW bus is the perfect messenger for our well-established, Made in Germany brand.”

For bodyshops interested in restoring and refinishing classic vehicles, Standox has brought out a useful Standothek guide entitled Prestige and Classic cars. The guide is full of information and advice on how to estimate the work involved in all steps of the repair, how to protect historical vehicle bodywork against corrosion, finding the right colour shade and much more. This and the full range of Standothek guides can be ordered, free of charge, from the Standox webshop at www.standoshop.co.uk.