Paint Your Wagon - with a roller!

[CovKid]

RAL codes are RAL codes, VW paint codes are their own. Your chances of finding an exact match are slim to zero.

[what2do]

Any other advice Covkid or is it down to luck? What would you do?

[steveo3002]

some places claim to be able to mix it to paint codes - think avenue paints does although not tried em

[CovKid]

My advice remains (as always) - pick a RAL shade that is close enough to what you want. It makes things far simpler and significantly cheaper. Once you start bumping the costs up, you might just as well go for it and use 2-pack. By sticking to a stock RAL (and the full range is pretty big to be honest) its easier to touchup later. Unless you've done a brilliant job of solving all rust traps (unlikely) than you'll definately need to redo some areas. You could have more mixed than you need but personally I'd rather stay with a stock one to be on the safe side.

[jasd1978]

some places claim to be able to mix it to paint codes - think avenue paints does although not tried em

Avenue had my code and mixed it for me. Still not built up the courage to use it yet though.

[what2do]

some places claim to be able to mix it to paint codes - think avenue paints does although not tried em

Avenue had my code and mixed it for me. Still not built up the courage to use it yet though.

Do you mean that you gave them the vw code, and from that they gave you the correct paint? Sounds good to me.

If not, I'll be following covkid's advice and using the chart as I don't wish to incur the additional cost of having some specially mixed.

[CovKid]

There are very few direct cross-references between RAL and VW codes so Avenue will tend to rely on samples sent to them, or mix based on ones they've tackled in the past.

This subject came up before and there were only a handful of known exact matches - the vast majority have to be specifically mixed. Any good paint supplier can mix based on a swatch, they can even mix paint to match the colour of your boxers, but yes you'll pay more. When I was younger, I worked in the print trade and could mix ANY colour just by eye but even I'd have to rely on technology now. There is wastage with mixing so that (and the time involved) bumps up the price.

Essentially RAL codes and VW paint codes are completely different things which is why (and this project was based on doing things on a budget), its much simpler to just pick a RAL colour that you like. Few, if any are going to notice that the colour of your vehicle isn't an exact match to an original paint shade and there are even fewer T25s that are good enough to be classed as 'show' vehicles anyway. Each to their own on this but unless you're entering for show (and you'd use 2-pack if you were) or are extremely pedantic, the extended RAL chart should provide potential colours that you'll be happy with. The RAL chart is used for all kinds of coatings as well as upholstery colours but the one widely used by paint suppliers contains 213 colours. From those you can make any colour (theoretically).

Before you get excited, remember that colours shown below will be highly dependent on your monitor and are only a rough indication. Do not trust colours on your PC, MAC etc which tend to use Hex or CYMK, and make your choice wholly on that. You need to view an accurate RAL chart in natural daylight to decide if the colour you are considering is indeed what you'll get.

In the end, what you think is blue might be aquamarine to someone else - don't lose sight of that. The time of day (light variance) will also affect how the colour looks - as indeed will the introduction of laquers, primers etc. This is why accurate (though not cheap) Pantone (for print, decals etc) and RAL charts exist - an agreed benchmark from which everyone works. Two people might not agree with each other but they will at least be looking at an accurate representation of a particular colour when using a proper chart.

Link to full online chart (rough guide only!) : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_RAL_colors" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Place to buy accurate K-type Ral chart (under £14): http://www.e-paint.co.uk/Ral_colour_guides.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - or check with your nearest paint stockist who should also have one you can view. They may insist you have clean hands. Some places won't even let you handle them directly but do check colours outside on a fairly bright day for accuracy. Charts too have a finite life and have to be replaced from time to time to ensure accuracy.

I hope that answers that.

[jasd1978]

some places claim to be able to mix it to paint codes - think avenue paints does although not tried em

Avenue had my code and mixed it for me. Still not built up the courage to use it yet though.

Do you mean that you gave them the vw code, and from that they gave you the correct paint? Sounds good to me.

If not, I'll be following covkid's advice and using the chart as I don't wish to incur the additional cost of having some specially mixed.

I phoned them up and asked about mixing my colour. I gave them my code LH1B and he did a check for me. He came back and they had it on their system so happy days I ordered some. When it arrived I took the lid off to compare it to the cellulose I already had and it looks the job. It's worth a phone call. If not go for the ral.

[Shotage]

Seriously contemplating giving our van a paint job.

We've only had it a couple of weeks and it needs some rust spots seeing to and then we need to decide whether to keep the colours close to the original or do something totally different!

I will try to do things as well as I can, I will order the paint swatch first to decide on colours and I will order the DVD...
http://www.9dartshop.com/shopexd.asp?id ... 20%C2%A350" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Can anyone tell me, what does the DVD cover?
I mean, does it cover what you should remove and what you should mask?
I assume it doesn't cover any prep work?

My biggest question is, if the DVD doesn't cover how to deal with rust, does anyone have any resources that do deal with that? Whether it's youtube clips, forum posts, books or DVDs?

We don't have the cash for a re-spray and we would like our new pride and joy to look a little better.

Many thanks in advance.
Andy

[CovKid]

There isn't much to mask - just window rubbers mostly. Prep yes - up to a point. Al you need is a clean dry keyed surface. Oh yes, and buy a small botle of Vactan and treat any minor rust well in advance. Anything more than that - get it welded.

[mike-evans]

Hi all,

Firstly I hope you dont mind me posting on here although Im not a VW owner?

Reason I am posting, is, Ive recently used the roller - rustoleum method on my Mercedes Vito.

I have used 2 coats of pure white. The paint has been on now for approx 1 month, and although I did plan on completely flatting the paint back, then apply a third coat before flatting and buffing, I think I will leave the paint as is.. main purpose of the van is to transport my MX bikes about.

Van has been completely transformed with the paint

Images below shows how my van currently stands:





I do have a few questions though if you dont mind?

- for those who have had the paint on for a long time, how does / has it held up?
- can the paint be washed using normal wash / wax car shampoo?
- can I wax / polish the paint?

Thanks all

[CovKid]

Mine has been on well over 6 years now and yes, yes.

That said, I have some panels to replace so will be getting the roller out again at some point. The nice thing is, you can do that and everything will match.

Nice to see the Vito. Great vans those. I know at least one 80-90 member that drives one. Panels are more expensive though.

[mike-evans]

Cool

Where the gutters run down the side of the windscreen and to the wing, this causes dirty water / screen wash to run over the wing and down onto the floor. It leaves a trail on the paint which becomes hard to remove if left for any length of time.......

Whats the best protection to add to prevent this trail staining the paint?

P.S, this is the Vito a few months ago:

[Shotage]

Your Vito post Mike makes me wonder whether I might try to colour code my bumpers and mirrors on my T25

Your van looks great.

Andy

[CovKid]

Staining on paint is caused by window rubber (or similar). Only thing you can do is replace whatever rubber is slowly degrading or seal it in some way. Normal road dirt doesn't cause it.