In a message dated 1/7/99 12:59:08 AM Mountain Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

> I didn't try to repaint the patched area because I don't have any paint that
>  color paint and 95% of the primed area is under the new seal and hardly
> shows.
>  (I also used dark grey primer.)  I hope to get some other areas of the van
>  painted soon and I'll deal with it then.
>

Hi Andrew,

For future reference you might shoot on some paint over your rust repairs even
if the paint isn't a perfect match (Duplicolor touch up can from the Pep Men
for example)  The reason is primer (most primers anyway, unless you used
aircraft Epoxy primer) absorbs water.  You see this all the time on cars that
someone started to restore, went to all the trouble to sand and prime, then
never got around to doing the paint part of the job.  You'll see the surface
rust coming through the primer in large areas.  Primer is very little better
as far as protecting the steel from rust than leaving the steel bare!  Don't
feel bad, its a common misconception about what primer actually is or does.
On your job the rust conversion stuff will ward off future rust pretty good
for a while.

Hot rodders that like that grey primer look starting a few years ago
discovered the trick of mixing some clear lacquer in with the primer to get a
water resistant finish and still have that "hot rod in primer for the street"
look.  Now they sell topcoats that look like flat primers but are real topcoat
formulations.

You can get a pint of automotive paint mixed to your cars paint code for a
pretty reasonable amount of money (like less than 20 bucks).    If you want it
actually matched to your Van's faded paint  then that usually runs another
20-25 bucks at most paint stores.  Pick up a gallon of thinner or reducer to
match the type of paint you got,(stick with conventional lacquer or enamel, no
need for catalyzed stuff for touch up)  thin it out in small batches that you
can keep in a plastic 35mm film can and just use this to touch up spots using
a small brush.  The more you thin the paint the more likely the paint will
flow out smooth and hide the brush marks (buy slow thinner or reducer, stuff
rated for higher ambient temperatures as this will make the paint slower
drying which aids in flowout, and gives the bugs time to land in the wet paint
;^)  Its a technique thing best experimented with.

Someone recently asked about repainting Vanagons.  If you have a garage and
its not too illegal where you live you can always do it yourself.  Its a
massive, dirty job doing the prep work but you can buy a compressor and spray
gun or better yet,  buy a decent HVLP spray gun and turbine (much more
environmentally friendly for the do it yourselfer) and try it yourself.
Practice painting some file cabinets or something to see it you like the
process.  Stick with conventional enamel to minimize health dangers to
yourself and neighbors.   Even buying the equipment you will save mucho
dollars over the $2000 price quoted recently.  Saving money is not the best
reason to undertake something like this though, educational experience and
personal satisfaction in your own craftsmanship is probably the best reason.
A good place to start would be to buy one of those "Paint your own Car" books
at the local Barnes and Noble to learn a little about the bewildering variety
of types of automotive paint products available.

Finally, I think I hear an environmentalist bristling at the horror of
painting your own car in a facility without overspray collection and other EPA
safeguards.    Certainly something to think about but consider this.  By
maintaining an older car well beyond its product design life you are saving
the planet the environmental abuse of having to produce another new car for
your use.  Repainting your Vanagon has a miniscule impact on Mother Earth
compared with mining iron ore and pumping enough crude oil to produce the
steel and plastics to produce another 4000 pound means of personal conveyance.
Most local ordinances concerning paint shops are aimed more at regulating
small fly by night businesses and make little sense as applied to a private
individual painting one car every ten years.  IMHO anyway.

Carl Turner
84 Westy (being slowly prepped for paint now) and 85 Westy (with enough shiny
paint left to get me down the road for a few years I think)