Author |
Message |
Garske Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2006 Posts: 24 Location: Seattle, WA
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Bntbrl Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2012 Posts: 436 Location: Seattle, Wa
|
Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 6:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
I'm going to be painting my van in the not too distant future. I can't decide to paint the pop top the same color as the body or not.
Interlux is more durable than base coat and clear. I'm a little more partial to taking the top off and using Interlux on it while I spray the van top. It would be best to paint the body all at once but I'm planning on painting in stages because my garage is too small for painting the van top and body.
You can use the same paint on the pop op as the body. There's a few on here I've seen done with base clear. It will scratch from limbs easier but that's about it really. _________________ 1984 Vanagon Westfalia 1.9 wbx
www.DIYSeattle.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16450 Location: Brookeville, MD
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Azdeadhead Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2013 Posts: 21 Location: Arizona/colorado
|
Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 11:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
I've read that someone used marine paint, as they are both fiberglass, I plan on doing it soon |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Vango Conversions Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Seattle, WA
|
Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 11:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
I've used Interlux brightsides on wood and fiberglass boats and it's good paint but it is kind of soft compared to auto paint.
Personally I'd use the same automotive paint that you're going to use on the rest of the van. I think that on most, if not all, vanagons never had a clearcoat, but I may be wrong on that. a clearcoat will give you some more gloss but a single stage is easier to repair and touch up.
I'd make sure to do the proper prep on the fiberglass, lay down a fiberglass compatible primer, then paint everything with the same paint. That's the only way you'll have a perfect match. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6234 Location: Portland OR
|
Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 12:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My poptop was painted to match the van with a base/clear coat. I couldn't be happier with the results. It will last for a very long time with little to no maintenance. Here's what it looked like after painting. There's a bit of a glare in the photo but you get the idea.
_________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
|
Back to top |
|
|
djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32367 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Chocolatewagon Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2008 Posts: 37 Location: La Conner, WA
|
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 8:56 am Post subject: |
|
|
My top was looking pretty lousy, with fiberglass strands showing here and there and catching lots of dirt, so when I put a new tent on it, I used Petit EasyPoxy because I've also used it on my boat. Using the roll-and-tip method, it turned out very nicely and has lasted well so far.
Good luck! _________________ '54 Bug-first car I owned (sold)
'69 Squareback-first new car and prob last (sold)
'80 Westy-"Chocolatewagon" my mountain jeep and land yacht(sold)
'78 Rawson 30PH-wind powered water yacht
'02 Eurovan Weekender-now we have power and a quiet ride! (sold)
'01 Eurovan Camper-had to have the amenities that Chocolatewagon had plus the power of the 24V AXK |
|
Back to top |
|
|
randywebb Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
|
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 12:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
some of you used automotive paint with no added flex agent? _________________ 1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32367 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16450 Location: Brookeville, MD
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
nepawesty Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2013 Posts: 108 Location: CO
|
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 6:28 pm Post subject: Topside |
|
|
Interlux for sure. Went on so easy. Only used a roller. And it looks so good.[/quote]
Plus a little sand paper, scotch brite and elbow grease. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
regis101 Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2005 Posts: 2078 Location: Livermore, Ca
|
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 7:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I did one pop top a few years back. A stop at the Sherwin-Williams store dialed me in.
I told and showed them what I was working on.
They had a fiberglass primer of sorts and some other top paint that was designed for the elements. A small can of each, quarts probably, did the trick.
A trip to the car wash to blast off the barnacles.
Some light sanding to remove the fuzz.
Some primer.
Some paint.
Looked great.
Wouldn't hesitate to use their products again.
YMMV. Just sayin' _________________ Peace, Regis |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jimeg Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2007 Posts: 510 Location: PNW
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Vango Conversions Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Seattle, WA
|
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 12:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
Lots of different paints will work on fiberglas so long as the proper prep and primer are used. Interlux has proven to be a good paint and good results can be obtained with a roller so those without the equipment, space, or experience, can get good results with it.
Automotive paint also works just fine, so those who want a perfect match while painting the rest of the van should just use the same paint. Perfect match, same paint, done.
Other paints can work well. I'd be a little hesitant to use rustoleum, since it's made to be used on slightly rusted metal without a primer but hey, whatever works. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jimeg Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2007 Posts: 510 Location: PNW
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
kerrvert Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2013 Posts: 23 Location: Kerrville, TX
|
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 9:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
We sprayed ours with Interlux and are very pleased with the result. Now if it would just cool off long enough for us to paint the rest of the car we could finish her off. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10333 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 9:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
It's obviously a personal taste thing, but I much prefer the white top regardless of body colour.
I used Interlux. (edit: sanded, used roller/brush. Some spots of top repaired with fibreglass. Did not use primer. No issues.)
Of note, a local chain, "Cloverdale Paints" carries this product:
http://www.cloverdalepaint.com/contractor_professional/product.asp?code=111series
It's less money and by all accounts should work fine. I even used a little to touch up some spots over the Interlux. It adhered fine albeit not an exact colour match. If one of your local paint shops offers something similar, this might be a less expensive alternative. That said, using Interlux didn't exactly break the bank.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy, 15º ABA
1988 West, 50º ABA
Vanagon VAG GAS engine swap Google Group:
https://tinyurl.com/2f24rmh
VE7TBN |
|
Back to top |
|
|
K58 Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2006 Posts: 1173 Location: Santa Barbara
|
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 10:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
Just did my pop top last weekend with Rustoleum Marine Paint. Gets better reviews than most and for the price you can't beat it. Less than 2 quarts of primer and a roller. Prepped with 80 grit and a palm sander (gelcoat was bad) and used scotchbrite pads with tack cloth in between coats.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C025GA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
so far I'm impressed with the results.
oh yeah, replaced the seal for the luggage rack as it tore when I removed it to fix some fiberglass damage.
_________________ Westy HID Projector Retrofit |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ewalt98 Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2009 Posts: 94 Location: Corvallis, MT
|
Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 7:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
jimeg wrote: |
This is the Rustoleum product I used -
|
Hey jimeg, did you use the oyster white? I was looking at the whites and oyster white last night, and the oyster white looks like it has a lot of yellow to it. If so, do you have a picture of your van with the painted top?
I am prepping my top right now, and bought both the oyster and semi-gloss white to test them out.
My van is tan and brown, so I suspect either would work, but it sure would be nice to see how it looks.
Thanks
Eric _________________ Eric
82 Westfalia Camper (Currently getting a little bit fixed up)
85 944
72 GT6
88 F350
03 F150 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|