From Rust Bucket to Simply Stunning... NEW PICTURES!

[nod7]

I had such an awesome experience today. I shared it with the Vanagon mailing list and thought I'd share it here too.

I had been doing small projects on my 1987 Westy for a few months. As you do van research, you can't help but run across peoples experiences with rust. I could see where my seams were showing a tinge of rust color. A sense of dread sunk in. Rust is like an iceberg they say. If you can see the tip, then whats underneath is huge. This is what started the sense of dread that I carried while finishing up small projects. Pretty soon it became the monkey on my back and I couldn't take it anymore. I finished up the projects and began to seek out a doctor for my baby. Not just any doctor, I wanted a specialist.

I live in the Seattle area and had read a post on here by "Franklinstower" about some guy in Lynnwood who did his rust work. So, I sent him a PM. The name that came back was "Zoltan". He's had my van for awhile now. He sent me a mail saying, "its out of paint and it looks beautiful". You have to know the man but, he usually doesn't use decorative words like that. He'll say, "and it's fine" or "that's ok". So, I was *very* curious what I was to see.

Getting the van to this point is the culmination of a lot of hard work. Zoltan has been like the conductor of an orchestra. Doing the tear down of *everything*, noting items to be replaced or fixed and giving me options along the way, getting the sanding done and bringing the body metal back to trueness, attacking rust and going through the procedures he has to get rid of it and probably a hundred other things I'll never know he did.

Today I get to see it. The results of all this work so far. So, in my car and off to Lynnwood I go. I saw Zoltan and waved hello. We greeted and walked as we were chatting. We rounded the corner and suddenly, I looked up and there it was, my baby... it was simply STUNNING... I think I clapped my hands and yelped. I turned to Zoltan and shook his hand. "It's fantastic!" I said. All his preparation work had paid off. The van is incredible looking and yet, it doesn't even have it's trim put back on it yet. Zoltan took me around the vehicle and led me through pieces of the the work and how it was done. I just couldn't stop looking. It's gorgeous! We still have a ways to go but, man it's going well. It is a work of art already.

Pictures to come.

FYI
For all my fellow Vanagon owners that have a monkey on their back, I highly recommend Zoltan. His work fantastic. His shop is humble but, I imagine that's part of why his prices are more then reasonable.

[jkidd152]

congrats man, i know the feeling of getting a car back from paint. but dude, we need pictures! take pictures of every stage.
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'85 Syncro Westy

[Sir Sam]

I vote thread locked until pictures arrive.
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'91 Carat Westy

87' Syncro + '87 Westy conversion coming soon

[nod7]

LOL, Well I was told there are some before pictures. I'll try to get those and some "after" pictures next time I'm up in Lynnwood where it's at.

[smi2710]

Sounds cool I want pics. Also where is this zoltan I would like to stop by there. I live close and have nothing better to do. Plus I need a few things he may have.

[DAIZEE]

Yep pictures in progress or you'll never see that van again
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[nod7]

Heh heh, OK! OK! I'll find some pictures.

smi2710,
I PM'd you his email address.

[nod7]

OK, Call off the thugs! I'm posting pictures!

I don't have any "before" showing the rust but, I do have some taken during prep work. And I've got two after paint. They don't do the beautiful paint job justice. It is so vibrant in person. The work was just excellent from prep to paint. I wish I had some of the before so you could see the contrast but, you'll have to make due with these.

To start with, Here's one of what was once rusty seams;

After Paint.

[jkidd152]

beautiful! and thanks! you've fed our addiction
i hope you don't mind me asking, how much $$?
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'85 Syncro Westy

[Terry Kay]

The Mad Hungarian ( Zoltan) at work.

Looks like he turns out real nice stuff--paint looks great.

He blew on the paint & did the sheet metal prep?

I'm impressed.
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T.K.

[DAIZEE]

thank you. Now you'll keep temporary ownership until we see the complete van pics. We'll only wait until shortly after its all finished and we can always check with Zoltan on that!!! Pics when available please.
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

[boulderdrop]

I'm in Seattle as well and have been worried about some seam-rust and getting a little tired of the pits... How much does something like this set you back? I'd really like to get this done in the Spring.

[nod7]

He does everything but, the actual spray on of the paint. He's friends with this guy who is apparently world famous for his work painting cars. I have to say, it shows.

Don't quote me on prices. I don't want people to expect to get the same deal as me. Maybe their van is worse off then mine and price might be different. Mine was in pretty good shape with only slight signs showing of rust. With that said, I'll tell you he bid mine and $3,500 and then $45/hr for additional things I'm having him do such as replacing all the window seals and bolting on a new larger propane tank.

He will do smaller portion work too. Like just working specific seems or something. You don't have to have a huge re-paint like I did. So, you can attack the situation how ever your budget allows.


-nod7

[nod7]

PHASE 2 of my project plan is now complete... Phase 3 is already in the works. I didn't have Zoltan do the Pop Top because I have something special planned for it in Phase 3.

Without further a do, here it is in all its beauty. It looks like it just rolled off the assembly line.

This bumper had a good sized dent in it. Can't tell now can ya!

I bought this 7.5 gallon! propane tank from Bus Depot. I thought I was going to lose more clearance but, Zoltan made a bracket that was great. I only ended up losing 1 inch of clearance from original factory spec.

[boulderdrop]

So awesome!!! Jealous man.

That 9lb LP tank is a great idea too!

[spitsnrovers]

nod 7 - what are all those fittings on that new tank? Is one of them an indicator of fullness?
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500

[nod7]

spitsnrovers,
There's no fullness indicator. I wish, I ask zoltan about how you could do such a thing and he told me about how some people use an aquarium thermometer. It's a strip that sticks to the outsideof the fish tank and tells you the temp. In this case you'd stick it to the side of the propane tank and the temp indicater line would tell you the level of the tank.

BTW, For those interested, I believe Zoltan as a opening in his schedule after he finishes the syncro that came in behind mine. Book his time while ya can! PM me and I'll send you his contact info.

-nod7

[D Clymer]

It looks really good. It's nice to see a well used Westy returned to like new condition.

Do you have any details on how he handled the seam rust? I'm wondering it that's POR15 or seam sealer I'm seeing in the seams prior to painting.

David

[Franklinstower]

hey Nod7, it looks great! I stopped by Zoltans a few weeks ago to chat with Z, but he wasn't in. I did see your Westy though and i was really impressed with the paint. Was yours sprayed in the shop next door? when he did mine last year, the shop changed ownership and he lost the ability to have it sprayed there. So he did it himself. Not quite as nice has yours. The clear is uneven on mine but still a 7 outta 10 and the price was the best part.

I am glad you had him do it. He is a cool dude.

Paul
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'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug

[seattleMV]

Thanks for sharing. I may stop by Zoltan's shop to fight the rust that is starting to creep on my van.