Paint Your Wagon - with a roller!

[palmerw]

Hi guys,

I've had a search of this topic and a read on the wiki but couldn't find the anser I was looking for.

I am starting to use this method to paint my van but I'm a bit of a novice so excuse my ignorance.

I am doing the prep work at the moment and everyone says its the one thing to focus on but I can't find too much info on it.

The paint job on the van was via this method when I brought it but the painter had decided to do no flatting back and looks like put the paint on think. I have a random orbital sander to take the paint back to smooth and am using 80 grade disk for this.

With regards to getting the paint keyed I would have done this by flatting back the surface but I read somewhere to use 600 grade wet and dry. Does this smooth the body to a good starting point before applying the paint or will my 80 grade sanding be ok? Will this ease the flatting back after the paint has gone on?

Any other tips and tricks for prep?

I am wire brushing (from a drill) the seams out to get rid of the masses of paint and filler already there from before, treating areas with vactan, refilling to smooth into the seams and other areas where I've sanded a little too far!

Thanks in advance,

Will

[CovKid]

There are no magic secrets to this. You just want a smooth, flat surface. By creating this you will already have provided a key for the paint - unless you used 1000+ grade in which case you must have been out there for months

If you're not sure of a surface, use a primer from a can to highlight imperfections but generally your hand run over the surface will detect bad patches. I wouldn't worry if it looks a mess prior to painting (see my van prior to roller treatment in my WIKI article):



You will inevitably cut through some layers during the prep but providing its smooth and you haven't gone too deep, you should be fine.

[steveo3002]

80 grit is way to angry unless you want all the paint off

id go with 240/320 dry on the da sander...up to 180 on bad bits

or 600/800 wet

[palmerw]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm going to continue with 80 as I'm getting on with it and I've seen some areas where the old paint has flaked off, so I'm guess the previous painter didn't key the paint very well so trying to get rid of their paint. It looks so much better now the orange peel finish has gone.

I had a little set back in proceedings last night when sanding back a massive bubble on the bottom of the sliding door the corner decided it didn't like being attached... O well after I'm finished I should have done a decent job. Door skins here we come.

Thanks,

Will

[xpress]

i would only use 80 grit on grinder for derusting and bubble patches, just my ten cents. otherwise, flattening down, 600-800 ..

i think it's right when it's said that it's a feel thing, you have to just rough up the paint so the new paint will bite into it.

[wilkesma]

Great thread - just what I needed!

Right, I've read the Wiki and read most of this thread. Made some notes as I've gone along.

My 1989 Transporter was brush/roller painted with Hammerite-like "army standard" dark green paint by the previous ownder - It's not bad really, although quite orange-peely with a few runs here and there. Some rusty seams and an old filler job gone bad on the sliding door now so I've been planning to use your method with a similar colour (RAL 6028 I think), on the sliding door alone first (after some major filling work! http://www.twitpic.com/774b2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

I noted that the Wiki said the Rust-oleum will go on any type of paint but I've heard that coverings on Hammerite can have a bad reaction - can anyone reassure me?

[steveo3002]

id prep up a small patch and see what happens

as far as paint goes rustoleum is very forgiving , it that doesnt go over it not much will

[Clive51]

I've been meaning to do this for ages. Thanks to all the great advice on here I went ahead and rollered the bus, so far, I've only managed 1 coat as I was running out of time for our camping holiday and had to make a start on the interior, anyway I'm planning on flatting back and doing 2 others, possible with a spray-gun my mate is lending me.

Anyway, a quick before and after - have loads more pics of the process if anyone is interested

Before - (rust sorted, then keyed)



Last week, Sennan Cove

[jaylo264]

Wow -- i love it black !
jaylo

[CovKid]

Nice job. In retrospect I wish I'd done my black with loads of chrome. Ebay does some great chrome trim in long lengths - would really set that van off. Give it some class. Mini wheel arch trim fits the gutter by the way. Still hunting for chrome mirrors for mine.

[Clive51]

Cheers CovKid to be honest though it looks alot better in the photo. I managed to get the mix perfect for the roof, however, on one of the sides the paint is way too thick, so will need quite a bit of work to flat back.

Will look into those chrome strips, although I don't want it too 'bling'. I'm going to get rid of the tints when I do the window rubbers which should make a difference.

[CovKid]

I'm sure you're right as it does take some twiddling to get mix and technique right. Have no fear though, let it harden then flat and paint again. It will be a lot easier next time!

[Zebedee]

How long does rustoleum last without fading or deteriorating in sun/heat?
Is it for a long term paintjob or just for a few years?

Nice job. In retrospect I wish I'd done my black with loads of chrome. Ebay does some great chrome trim in long lengths - would really set that van off. Give it some class. Mini wheel arch trim fits the gutter by the way. Still hunting for chrome mirrors for mine.

You could always sand the mirrors to get rid of the grain, paint them with a plastic primer then paint them with chrome paint.
I've used the chrome effect paint from plasticote on plastic before. Not mirror finish but very shiney.

Wilkinsons sell it for £2.88 a can too.

[CovKid]

One of its major claims is not fading and two years later I can touch up the paint on mine with an exact match. Very tough durable paint. Personally I'd never spray a T25 again. This is far more practical.

Thanks for tip on chrome paint!

[johnboy]

Hi Lads,
Where do you get the Mini wheel arch trims from????
Thanks,