Paint Your Wagon - with a roller!

[CovKid]

I'll hold you to the beer mush. Don't forget my tip on 400 grade followed by good old CIF to flat down on second or third coat. Works a treat and makes the job a good deal easier. Actually, the CIF treatment would probably be a good surface to prep with prior to rollering. Not tried it but gives a good matt finish for sure. No idea if it works out cheaper than cutting compound or not but it made quick work of getting a level surface. Only needed a finer one and buff to bring it up to a nice gloss. That said, if the paint/thinner mix is right you can get a very acceptable finish as is.

[eatcustard]

I want to get as good a finish as possible, so will flat after every coat.
My mix was about 80% Rusto to 80% white spirit. (which was a tat to much, as I had a slight run on one side)

I mixed the thinners to the paint in small amounts (folded it in), let it stand for 10 mins then off we went.

Just got to strip the front cab to paint the floor, and door shuts, before the colder weather arrives

[Funkyoid]

Hi all,

Just like to say that I am SO GLAD i found this... you have saved me a massive issue I had around the bodywork and re-spraying.... i.e. not enough money yet needed doing. This is really impressive stuff and although I am going to wait until next year I am treating the dreaded rust with vactan that I have ordered and just going to do a tough up with the rust oleum.

I am really new to doing anything of this sort, so all your guys posts have been really inspirational. Hopefully I am going to attend T25 meets and I would like him to look half decent!

Keep you posted when I get around to it!

Beckie

[CovKid]

And don't forget you can be fairly creative with two-tone, stencils, even a camo job. Good luck and pay particular attention to the reverse side of any rusty areas.

[Funkyoid]

Thinking two tone for sure... you got me all excited reading the whole forum post, took me hours but just wanted to see what everyone else had to say about it. And all the pics are fab, if it turns out half as good then I will be pleased.

Any tips for the vactan? Seams easy to use from this post but any tips will be really welcome!

[CovKid]

Just wear gloves. Not toxic but sticks to fingers stickier than a sticky thing and turns black. One idea is to run it down scraped out seams then blow it in using a straw or some kind of small blower - just my twopennyworth on that score. But do remove interior panels and fully attack both sides. Small amount dribbled into bottoms of doors is also a good idea - stops later probs.

I still think Vactan should be kept onboard as its great for getting at any areas that show up or for scratches. I found that once I'd treated entire wagon with it then rollered, some of the more serious areas returned (about 20% of that treated) which showed up areas that needed cutting out and doing properly. Useful really.

[Funkyoid]

Did you just paint on the whole of the van after the first rubdown? How did you put it on, just with a brush? If I have got enough then I may do the whole van. Good tips for straws and bottom of doors - thanks so much!

[dugcati]

Cant seem to suss out - are people using thinners or white spirits to thin the paint prior to use?

Doug

[pocolow]

Cant seem to suss out - are people using thinners or white spirits to thin the paint prior to use?

Doug

White Spirits ..B&Qs to be precise....5 parts paint to one part white Spirit..did my van yesterday. Looks a treat even on its first coat

[eatcustard]

White spirits from the Cheap shop.

[Funkyoid]

what colour of paint did you use? It looks great and wouldn't mind knowing as its just what I am after!

[CovKid]

Did you just paint on the whole of the van after the first rubdown? How did you put it on, just with a brush? If I have got enough then I may do the whole van. Good tips for straws and bottom of doors - thanks so much!

No - just areas that have rust and always get rust it to bare metal where you can. Brush yes - small one.

Pocolow, are your spots an afterthought and a standard grill cut to accommodate them?

[dugcati]

I know it's a bit of a string length question but how long generally are people leaving between coats? (Typically Me being me!)I couldn't see on the wiki a rough guide for how long you leave it before a flat/next coat

[CovKid]

Its all down to temperature but I'd certainly leave it at least a week, ideally 10 days between coats unless you have baking sun on it. Chickenkoop and I managed to go right round a van TWICE in one afternoon (this one - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZL-F9Zf02Q) though wouldn't recommend piling on paint that fast really and in hot weather you need more white spirit.

[dugcati]

right 'o 10 days is good for me

Is it worth putting that onto the wiki?