should i leave it alone or spray the bedliner poll

[offroad.]

it may be different across the water but in the uk blacking the bottom of cars was common in the late 70`s and 80`s to hide the rust and filler so for me its a no.

have you not got a product that will not only protect but can also be painted over this way you get the best of both worlds surelly. of coarse if you like the 2 tone scheme the why stop 9 inches up. be bold.

lee.

[One more islander...]

Bump!

Our 88 Westy has a not-bad body with a few dents and a bit of rust on the kitchen side and in front of the back two wheel-wells.

I'd like to get the full repaint/body treatment done, but it's going to be a year or two to save up for it.

Question:

How much harder will it be for the bodyperson/prepper (likely me) to get ready for a later complete respray if the lower area is done in the meantime with bedliner? Of course I'd clean it up before the bedliner, but there will likely be new rear wheelwells later, and probably cleanup once again on the kitchen wall.

Will I be making things difficult for myself?

Thanks!

----

Kathy
88 Westy

[thummmper]

the other options are rubberized undercoat that you paint white to match, or apply transparent mylar tape. it resists rock strikes.
maybe black conveyor belt protruding 3" horizontally would help deflect the wheel blast. it wouldnt detract from the body color any.

[j_dirge]

Fashion Trends....

I've been drawn to many myself, in all honesty.
We try so hard to look different, but end up all looking the same.

I attended BurningVan this last weekend and when you see 30 vans all parked together, the close to original looks seem to stand out in the crowd.
There's a certain elegance to stock.
Funny how that works.
_________________
-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.

-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5

[Central Syncronizer]

Don't do it (yet). Wait until you need to do some work on the rockers; do the repair, then cover it. Do the repairs well by the way, the rocker covers well but it's not magic.

The whole job of masking and painting the rockers will take an afternoon at most. Undoing it will take days.

cheers

Jay
_________________
Ongoing restoration/maintenance of my syncro double cab (and soon Westy):

http://88syncrodoka.blogspot.com/

[insyncro]

[Keyport Westy]

When I had our 86' completely repainted, I planned for the black stripes you were evaluating in advance but I opted NOT to use bedliner.

Once the base and clear paint was sprayed, the painter applied a very durable and common 3M product with a smoother texture then he painted it black with a slight sheen to match the GW bumpers. Though textured, we left some areas white like around the doors and steps. If anyone is interested, he used a waterbased paint by Sikkens. There is almost zero texture to the very flat and smooth paint finish, but they took it to bare metal then applied about 10 coats of primer (amd removed about seven) before applying the paint. They polished it about three times to remove any scratches or imperfections in the paint.

The only bedliner I used was on the engine deck area unseen from the outside. We used Raptor liner for that and it has a very rough glossy texture. I made a full width sound deading mat that is extremely effective to cover the engine bay 95% of the time so the sight of the bedliner is not an issue.

[whynotvw]

i decided to leave it alone. it was a hard decision. my reason, i wanted mine to be different. it seems like most white syncro's get the liners. good thing is if i change my mind, i can always do it later

[r39o]

I am about to do the same. I voted yes.

What company or brand of material are you using?
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[r39o]

[JeffDenson]

I am glad to see this because I have been on the fence about this as well. I think I might do it. I have the same solid white syncro look that I like a lot!

[otiswesty]

I would not do the bed liner. My van was 100% stock original when I bought it. I did end up with body damage to the right lower rear when someone backed into my van. Rather than get the panel repainted, I decided to do the bedliner bit around the bottom once the bodywork was done. I would worry about hidden rust if I was looking to buy a van with bedliner on it as was previously mentioned. The bedliner looks great on though.

_________________
1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1988 T3 Syncro Single cab

Just a regular guy

[insyncro]

[stevey88]

Scott,

Can I see a close up of the front wheel well. I am trying to decide how for up ( or down ) to put on the bed liner.

Thanks,
_________________
Steve

87 Westfalia full camper 4 speed

[Conant.D]

Whynot

Unfortunately I can't take credit for building them. I had a high school buddy that builds off-Road Rock Crawlers build them. I told him what I wanted and showed him a few designs I liked and he went with it.

Total for the front bumper with skid plate, rear bump with swing away, and powder coated was $1600. My buddy will build anybody anything anybody wants, he is in central oregon. Send a design you like and he will do it.

Nice work and looking forward to seeing the final product.

Best,

Drew
_________________
1967 Kombi
1987 Syncro Westy 2.0L BOSTIG ZETEC

[scottjk]

I like the looks of the black bedliner especially on a white van. Only thing I can say is check in to the material before you spray it. I used a urethane based liner instead of the epoxy liner due to UV longevity. I have been told that the epoxy liners become chalky looking after awhile.

Very valid point about resale. I took a ton of photos when I did all my work to document the fact that there was ZERO rust or damage before I sprayed it.

Scott

I prefer the front liner to go all the way around.

_________________
1985 Westfalia 2.5L EJ

[insyncro]

I voted NO.
Your van looks like it is in very good shape with no or little rust at the seams. I reserve the spray liner on the lower quarters for vans that need a ton of bodywork. The liner covers very well.

FYI, on every van I have sold with the bedliner.....the perspective buyers would always ask about what was under it. If you ever plan to sell your van, the liner will raise a few flags with buyers worried about rust.

dylan

[edgood1]

I am still on the fence about this. I love my new paint... but there is the ever-so-slightest bit of rust starting on the very bottom of the rocker near the rear control arm bolt.

if and when I do it I'll pay one of the companies like Linex to get a really tough and consistent liner job.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia

[whynotvw]

[Conant.D]

Whynot

That is my van! Funny man, I have looked at your van MANY times for inspiration. I was stoked to see my van when I opened this thread.

I say do it, I love it and have got nothing but positive comments. You can do it in any color and finish you want. I did a satin finish to match my powder coat.

Best,

Drew
_________________
1967 Kombi
1987 Syncro Westy 2.0L BOSTIG ZETEC