Paint Your Wagon - with a roller!

[CovKid]

Paint stays soft longer than you think (not too unlike a skinned-over rice pudding), and if you try and flat before its ready for that, you'll be back to square one having to flat the lot all over again. Min 7 days.

I'd read the WIKI through again if I were you. The finish you have now will depend on a few things but basically:

1) How well you've thinned it.
2) How long you spend working it once on the van (work quickly but don't paint it on too heavy)
3) Prep (both how smooth and clean) - remember, the paint is a glossy version of whats underneath.

[catflaps]

Hello,
I have some questions regarding Vactan treatment. I need to treat some very minor seam rash on the seam above the near side rear wheel.

1) I understand I have to remove all the rust out of the seam first before applying the vactan, but then does the vactan fill the seam again so it looks like it did previously or do i apply vactan then attempt to put a small amount of filler into the seam?
2) It was mentioned earlier in this thread to "blow" the vactan into the seams, is this the best method or could a very fine paint brush do the same job?
3) Does vactan go hard like filler and then I have to sand the excess back to flat?
4) Is Vactan suitable to touch up small stone chip rust spots (those that i dont remove fully with sanding)

I hope my questions make sense. I spent the Sunday removing a few minor dents using a "Ding King" and was pleased with the results, the Vactan is my next step into major prep!

thanks again,
Cat

[CovKid]

[quote="catflaps"]
1) I understand I have to remove all the rust out of the seam first before applying the vactan, but then does the vactan fill the seam again so it looks like it did previously or do i apply vactan then attempt to put a small amount of filler into the seam?

Its not a substitute for seam sealer no as its only a thin layer so that should answer all of that question.

2) It was mentioned earlier in this thread to "blow" the vactan into the seams, is this the best method or could a very fine paint brush do the same job?

Yes that can work too but even a trace of buried rust will start the process again if not caught.

3) Does vactan go hard like filler and then I have to sand the excess back to flat?

No but it does dry - think acrylic paint and you have some idea of its consistency. However, I normally treat with vactan and if I go through any of it to bare metal, as long as paint is going on straight away it shouldn't be a problem.

4) Is Vactan suitable to touch up small stone chip rust spots (those that i dont remove fully with sanding)

Definately. Although strongly advise you do sand back further to make sure you've got it.

This is Chickenkoop's right now. The dalmation spots are small stone chips, sanded back then treated with vactan. They will get a coat of high-build primer, then sanded flat ready to paint. The vactan has been on since before the winter (been covered in snow more than once) and vactan holding strong. Essentially Vactan is an acrylic base mixed with tannin which is known for its properties in converting rust. Its like painting with milk but dries in a rubbery fashion, hardening over time.

[catflaps]

thanks. exactly what i needed to know

[CovKid]

Incidentally, that looks suspiciously like the rear wheel arch. My advice is to remove (if you can) interior trim behind these and run vactan at the bottom of the cavity which will be the rear of the area your photo shows and where lower rear arch is spot welded on (becomes obvious how it all fits together when you remove that trim). Attacking from both sides does pay. The rust on yours could be from earlier stone chips or condensation inside the vehicle which has sat at the bottom of that cavity and worked its way out under the seam.

[dj biz r]

lesson to all i am inpatient i spent 3 mins ok about an hour rubbing down ,not long enough,first paint coat good mix then the bleedin sun came out ,still not bad tis only the roof im not after a looker just presentable will do,i waited the full week ,well thats a lie 3 days flatted back repainted ,well my thoughts are this i,ve now made more work for myself as im not happy and it,s all my fault dont get me wrong it,s not bad just my realisation it could be better ,so when i go back to it ,i am gonna wait atleast a week this time iv,e got a lot of rubbing to do.but i got the feel of the paint now so will be less impatient if thats possible.ps a heat gun for removing stripes is handy ,melts the glue then thinners /spirit saves time sanding. so i say rub rub and rub again ,all great if you like hard work but then again to look at it and know you could have done alot better ,,!dont be me ,do the work,,

[boatbuilder]

Just on the brink of buying this...thinking of giving it the rustoleum treatment. All the welding is done, so it just needs paint and putting back together....sounds simple enough Just bought an Apollo spraymate so what the hell, you only live once! Any ral colour suggestions? Some kind of blue?

[chickenkoop]

HI, 7322 looks very close to your colour,(chart on pg 2) what colour do your fancy?

[CovKid]

RAL 5002

Not sure which colour this one is but its on Rustoleum chart

[boatbuilder]

I like the RAL 5002 blue. I had 68 bay camper and it was "baby blue"...not sure if it suits a T25 though. I suppose my pop-top should be whitish.....

[dugcati]

Your reeet proud of that aint ya

[rattybird]

Its been 5 Days since i painted the van and i have noticed the paint has totaly changed ! in the texture that is . I will wait another couple days to flat a few area's im so shocked with the result even passer by's have been asking if i have a diffrent van !




if you compare this picture you will see how diffrent they are in colour 2 !



This pic shows there is still some areas that are not exacley right , but the beauty of this is that
it can be done in parts and end up with almost a showroom finish , when i repaint the area's il be using covkid's idea doing the narowboat technique

[onc onc]

I,m loving it loving it loving it. after about 4 weeks preping the van today saw some paint going on, after a little bit of a dodgy start i seemed to get the hang of it and apart from the front wheel arch,which is where i started, the rest of van looks as good as any respray and thats with just one coat Ivory RAL 1015 over VW pastel white,, My neighbor who pi$$ed himself larfing when i told him what i was intending to do is,nt larfing anymore. he wants me to paint his Ford Escort van. Now i,m larfing. keep it up guys n gals i will see if i can work out how to put some photos on here, but i,m not to good with all this high tech stuff.

Onkers

[CovKid]

If you struggle putting pics up, PM me.

Rattybird - you're in the WIKI.

[rattybird]

If you struggle putting pics up, PM me.

Rattybird - you're in the WIKI.

groovey baby !