Work on the van this week has been a little slow, as the welding work has ended and the body work started, as we all know it takes ages to get the panels to look right before any primer can be put on, working on our small garage means working on one side at a time and moving it about when something needs to be done.
We were able to make good the engine lid and rear hatch along with repairs to the rear apron, the engine is in and it all works fine so moving it around is easier, still leaks oil a bit.
Looks like the van was originally Burgundy under the other 6 coats of paint, mostly blue's and at one time green, amongst others, also had to knock out a dent in the belt line, repair the N/S window area and guttering drip rail, nice to have some primer on the panels now.

Looking good with the primer on I've got all that to look forward to.

Steve

We had to clear out the garage today to make enough room to start painting the van, as my wife put it, move some of the junk out of the way, I just say we might need it someday. lol.
By lining the garage with plastic we attempt to keep the dust down to a minimum, as we're going to paint it in sections due to space limitations, also moving the van about to get the best paint coverage, here's what our first coat on the side looks like.

Since we started to put some paint on the van we've now spotted a few areas that still need work, it's funny how you work around the repairs and get them looking good, apply some filler and primer, and then things just dont look right.

We started to rub down the front offside wheel arch and found some damage and rust on the underside, poking around made it worse and before you know it the whole section needs cutting out, Schofields were given a call for one of there panels at just under £100, and should be with us tomorrow, also a couple of areas around the guttering where the paint has reacted with the stopper.

The front US spec bumper we got off Westy mick was offered up, and adjusted for fit before we painted it, another piece in the bedroom for storage.

Best of luck with the home respray. You can achieve very reasonable results if you are patient, even with sub-standard spraying equipment. Ask me how I know!

I did mine in sections too, in my single garage at home. Came out fine, but needed colour sanding and buffing afterwards.

Nige

Paint O'clock


Well done ..... Love it



Mark

thanks for the advice and comments guys, painted a few coats on the front today along with a few runs, like you say should be able to flat them out next week, I expect to have to wet flat all the van once it's done as there always looks to be dust in the paint, but as it's used regularly we dont expect it to be perfect, just the best we can do at home.

Looking really really good, and to see its all been done in a garage is inspiring too! That paint looks better than a few 'pro' jobs ive seen too, you should be proud mate!

While rubbing down around the sill area today found a few small holes, these quickly spread as we rubbed through the filler that previous owners had applied, after more holes appeared I went underneath to inspect the inner sill to find similar situation, out with the grinder to remove the outer and inner sill, found no bracing into the uprights so will have to get these and the other panels from Schofields, not sure at present to go for the 7" or 13" sill, also the floor edge looks ready for replacement so may decide to do the whole lot at the same time.
Not too sure if the floor should be welded to the sill or not, anyone advise on this.

Got all the cutting out done and went to see the guys at Schofields for the panels, found that quite a few pieces were missing from the supports inside the sill, along with the floor being past its sell by date.



Tried the new O/S front wheel arch in place, its one of the cheaper panels and will need more work to fit and get acceptable gaps, will have to get the door back on again and see how good or bad it fits.

We cut out the floor and repaired the I beam sections, along with putting in the correct supports that link the uprights to the inner sill, once the frame is correct we should be able to joggle the new outer sill into place.

Thanks to the guys in the forum we now have the correct pieces in place, to think the inner supports had been missing from the long side was worrying, no wonder it creaked a little.

We managed to get a section of floor from Schofields along with all the other panels before they closed for christmas, and since we had a few days off for christmas decided to get in the garage with the heater on and put it all together, with the long sill, wheel arch and floor welded in we can once again resume filling and priming.

All looks very familiar, just slightly ahead of you with mine at present. Keep at it, all be worth it in the end,

Steve

Warm the panels up & the garage & the paint it's self, if your spraying this time of year, might help cut down on the amount of runs!??
Best of luck!!!
It'll be reet with a good flat n polish any road!?,!!!!

Still an inspirational thread!
You will have a happy New Year...

Just caught up with this, looking really good, and very familiar ...a little poke here and there, and suddenly a new sill needed.

Inspiring to be doing it all yourself in a small garage too, well done.