Stuart, great idea about lifting the window rubber.  I wonder if bamboo
barbecue skewers would work to create that little gap between the rubber
and the metal.
Patti

On Wed, Apr 29, 2015 at 2:19 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
wrote:

> It's all about the prep.
>
> If you are not removing all the windows, try an old school trick before
> you drop it off. Get some cotton cord about 1/8" diameter and use a plastic
> knife to lift up the edge of the window rubber and stuff that cord under
> it.  It will lift the rubber (unless it's hard as a rock) off the body
> preventing that hard paint edge that often starts to peel after a paint
> job.  It also makes sanding and masking easier, and allows the paint to
> come up under the rubber a bit.
>
> Tape one end of the cord to the window for pulling it out later, and pull
> it out by pulling towards the inside of the window.
>
> If you are painting the top too now is a good time to remove the seals for
> painting and get new ones.  You can take off the front part and they can
> paint it on a rack. You'll eliminate another hard paint edge. Get new SS
> screws to re-install.
>
> If you do some of the prep like this, you'll likely be happy with the
> job.  But if you have rust under the window rubber, you should remove the
> window and clean it all out first.
>
> Stuart
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of PB
> Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2015 12:45 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Where to get a decent paint job? (long)
>
> I've been asking around about the cost of a paint job.  The first body shop
> I asked told me it would cost $7,000 and suggested that I try Maaco, so I
> went to 2 Maaco's - only about a mile apart!
>
> The first guy told me that all I needed was their basic paint job at a cost
> of $1,300, including fixing a small dent at the front driver side signal
> light area.  About 6 years ago my husband took his badly dented 1996 Camaro
> there and was very pleased with their work, service, and pricing.
>
> As I was arriving at the SECOND Maaco, a beautifully painted 2-tone car
> with a graphic design on it was leaving out the driveway. In the shop there
> was a beautifully painted red and white VW Camper pop-top BUS that they had
> just restored.  He suggested  their best paint job at a cost of $2,000,
> including color, sand, and buff.
>
> I don't mind paying an extra $700 if the quality would is greatly superior
> to the econo job. Neither of the guys tried any hard sell tactics, and took
> their time explaining and answering all of my questions.
>
> Does anyone have experience with Maaco or any other "econo" paint places?
> I can't do any prep by myself, and not willing to pay several $,$$$'s.
>
> Description of Maaco basic paint jobs
> <http://www.maaco-vannuys.com/auto_paint.html>
> Maaco Platinum Paint Job
> <http://www.maaco-vannuys-north.com/auto_paint.html>
>
> Patti
> 90 Westy Automatic
> Los Angeles
>
>
>
> --
>
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>

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