My 1980 T25 - Camper Project

[folkers]

More work today 2nd coat finished all over, one more should do it!

[VAN with a PLAN]

I hope your feeling chuffed with your efforts, that is a real transformation - looks great

[CovKid]

Been quietly watching your progress Folkers. It has to be said, if you get mix just right, you can get a perfectly acceptable finish with little or no flatting at all. You're right on ratio though - no science to it, just intuition mostly. Unfortunately a few tend to go at it like a bull in a china shop with little prep or directly over rust, or in FULL heat of the day sun which always produces carp finish. Seams are often a problem (due to design) that can result in rust bubbling underneath no matter what you do but if you get it all, the results can be very satisfying. Keep going lad!

You may find you need a spruce up coat a year or so later to catch any emerging rust and to add an extra layer of protection.

[folkers]

Thanks guys very encouraging comments!!
You're quite right CovKid, in fact on the front panel, between 2nd and 3rd coat I didn't need to flat down at all as it was completely smooth and flat. I have found that if you paint in the 'beaming sun' the paint dries too quickly and doesn't get a chance to level out flat. I reckon my white spirit mix is probably about 10% but I have never actually measured it!

[CovKid]

Yup. The reason I use the 'thin evaporated milk' description (and on DVD) is that works in any temperature regardless and obviates the need to sit there measuring stuff which frankly just makes mess and slows you up. I just splash the thinners straight into the tray sometimes and whisk with a stick although for a newbie, better to mix into a tupperware type container that you can whack the lid on when you need five minutes break and a cuppa. Main thing is to get the paint on there. Trouble is, once you start, you cover a hell of a lot in a short space of time so its useful to either work from one definite point to another OR, get a sweat on and go right round.

Decided now to paint lower half a kind of Tardis blue next year to compliment the slightly lighter shade on it now as I saw that two-blue combination on a narrowboat and was really impressed by it. Also looking for a reflective paint for roof to reduce the "jeex its like an oven in here" after being parked in the sun all day....

[folkers]

Some pics from today:

[folkers]

MOT's booked for the 30th!! So fingers crossed. Going to give it a full service first, and try and finish off the paint if/when it passes the MOT - I ran out!

[hicksy]

Hey man, well done with the roller job, I carried out the same on my van, and in the same colour! Check it out! I do have a couple of scabby bits showing through after the van being out all winter but the beauty of rusto is, you just flat it back and roller it on again!

Good choice on colour

[Cyrus]

Hey hiksy, I didn't realise yours was a roller job, next time I see it ill have a closer look at the finish. I have my plans and colours all in mind for mine.
Good luck with the MOT Folkers

[billybigspud]

that looks amazing. i bet you are well happy. the transformation between the two is incredible. you must have alot of patients to have rolled it. doing alot of paintshops out of money me thinks

jamie

[hicksy]

Hey hiksy, I didn't realise yours was a roller job, next time I see it ill have a closer look at the finish. I have my plans and colours all in mind for mine.
Good luck with the MOT Folkers

Dont look too close, it isnt that great! but It has fooled a lot of people. I never wetsanded it either, and have only polished it once since I painted it. I can vouch for rusto, it awesome, and you can get great results for not a lot of money.

Looking forward to seeing the end results folkers.

[folkers]

Mot moved forward to tomorrow!! Wish me luck

[hicksy]

Good luck, mines at the end of june!

[folkers]

Failed mot most of the things were basic and easy fixes. But there are three I don't understand! They are:

- nearside rear (sill) suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded

- nearside rear (inner wheel arch) suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded

- offside rear (inner wheel arch) suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded

I just can't find this 'excessive corrosion' I think it is a massive over exaggeration. Will get some pics up tomorrow unless I'm missing something?

[folkers]

I have looked again today, at the suspension mounts and I cannot see any corrosion on the rear as the MOT states!!?!
Now....I wish I had taken it to the VW specialist I know, who deals with campers, beetles etc instead of taking it to a 'normal' garage