Jim,

How many hours of labor did you spend doing this?

Marc

On Mon, Aug 12, 2013 at 11:34 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
> Just for reference, I recently painted everything on my westy's exterior
> myself with high-quality single step paint. I did not do the front as I had
> that done by Maaco right after I got the car. I replaced all but two window
> seals (they were fairly new), did some seam runs control, painted door
> jambs, did some minor but needed bodywork, soundproofed as I went, and
> tinted all the windows but the front. Total cost with window rubber about
> $700, including all paint, thinner, dryer, tape, paper, peel-n-seal, etc.
> Paint was $150 or $200 (I did this over almost a year, so I forgot whether
> I used three quarts or four).
>
> I am very happy with the job as is the general public if judged by the
> increased number of peace signs, honks, thumbs up and gas station gawkers.
> I am also very happy with the CLUNKS that the doors make when they close as
> well as the silence of the sliding door as it is closing. I spent some care
> and time on that one.
>
> Jim
>
>
> On Mon, Aug 12, 2013 at 10:24 AM, Marc Perdue <mcperdue@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I will be doing this soon for my van ('87 Westy). It is currently in a
>> different shop that specializes in getting rid of all the rust in old
>> VWs. After de-rustifying it, I'll be taking it to a different shop to
>> get painted. I too am planning on replacing all the window rubber.
>>
>> I always liked the look of the later vans with the poptop painted the
>> same color as the body, so I'll likely do that. In addition, I'm
>> thinking of finding a nice VW blue color and changing the van's color
>> completely on the outside. Since it's that gold-ish color, with gray
>> interior, I'll leave the inside the original color.
>>
>> The PPO had an accident in the van one time (no, not THAT kind of
>> accident) and had the back hatch door painted. The clear coat
>> de-laminated from the color coat and water would get in it, looking
>> like a sun-burn blister. I could never tell which was the original
>> color, because there are at least 5 different shades of gold-ish on
>> the van in different places. Soon to be fixed!!!
>>
>> This is one van that's getting a renewed lease on life!
>> Marc
>>
>> On Mon, Aug 12, 2013 at 11:14 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >   One of the biggest factors in the expense of painting anything is
>> getting
>> > to a surface that is ready to hold your new paint.  Any tiny bit of old
>> > paint that hasn't been properly worked over, that is a potential spot
>> where
>> > your NEW paint will come loose, wrecking the whole job and making it time
>> > to 'start over'...If the paint lifts in one small spot, you can count on
>> > other spots being iffy, too.
>> >
>> >   Taking off the old paint with any chemical is likely to leave a residue
>> > that will compromise the new paint.  Sanding seems the only way to
>> assure a
>> > good bond...I would much rather have a vehicle to paint that has old thin
>> > dull rust or whatever than one that some PO rattle-canned or
>> > Plasti-coated....
>> >   I don't think there is any 'short-cut'...One simply has to be really
>> > meticulous about preparing for new paint....if you aren't, it will lift,
>> > peel, or whatever....then you can do it again or just leave it...
>> >
>> >
>> > On Mon, Aug 12, 2013 at 7:49 AM, Tom Carchrae <tom@carchrae.net> wrote:
>> >
>> >> While we are on the topic of paint, it appears that someone once
>> painted my
>> >> van with a water based paint, a close match (aside from being duller) to
>> >> the original paint.  When I wash the van, I get this white residue
>> coming
>> >> off.
>> >>
>> >> The dull look is ok, but I'm a bit worried about doing any painting
>> over it
>> >> so wonder what would be the best way to remove it - warm water and soap
>> >> works slowly.  The shiny area of original paint showing around the gas
>> tank
>> >> cap indicates a gasoline soaked rag would be quicker.
>> >>
>>