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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
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Location: Brookeville, MD
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Bavana
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Joined: August 14, 2013
Posts: 6
Location: vancouver, bc
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 Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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| When I opened this string i had every intention of just replacing the canvas.... now I want to paint the whole thing too. Sigh. |
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hoipolloi
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Joined: February 05, 2010
Posts: 44
Location: Santa Cruz
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| Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:06 am Post subject: |
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Ok, I am just going to ask instead of reading through even more threads!
My 87 poptop is painted to match the blue body. The paint is peeling and flaking badly. I want to fix it up so that the top is not color matched anymore but done an off-white, always loved the two tone look.
Can/should I sand the top with an orbital sander? (I have done fiberglass work and figure 220 on an orbital will strip that paint off without going deep, thoughts?)
Then:
Interlux Primer (which product exactly?)
Then:
Interlux Brightside one-part poly paint. (How glossy is this stuff? Is there anything that is a little more dull, I don't really want the top to be ultra shiny, a little, sure whatever, but not looking for supershine...)
Thoughts? In need of a little pro-guidance before launching into this project (it is a big one for me).
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Big Blue 1987 Weekender Vanagon |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 11:44 am Post subject: |
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Hmmmm....
Paint flaking off?
NOT GOOD!
You are really stuck here for there is no good way to proceed without undertaking some major remedial steps.
Anything you put on that top will need to be applied to a solid base....... Which you do not have at this time.
You need to strip off the old finish..... Not a pleasant task at all.
The top is not smooth but is rather textured with 1000's of raised dimples........
Though some have sanded them smooth.
Most likely whoever painted your top the blue color failed to adequately prepare the surface beforehand. That blue needs to come off and then the top prepared for paint.
I'd chemically strip the blue and then wash the entire top with a soap, rinse well with hot water.
After drying I'd chemically clean/etch with a mild acid solution. Rinse again and dry well.
I would prime it but first go over with it a last anti-contamination step of wiping it with something like lacquer thinner.
I would Prime it with an Epoxy Primer, they are uncommonly good at adhering to surfaces!
After drying finish with your choice of top coat, be it sprayed, rolled or brushed on.
It's a lot of work I know, but there really is not a short cut......sorry. 
Dave
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
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hoipolloi
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Joined: February 05, 2010
Posts: 44
Location: Santa Cruz
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| Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 11:55 am Post subject: |
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Dave, that is actually exactly what I expected so it doesn't sound so bad!
I think I will skip the chemical stripper, buy a sander and just go for it with 220, a respirator and a 6 pack of beers.
What are the thoughts on how this will effect the 'dimples'? Should i care? I know it might mess up that texture but I don't see too many options...especially because I wasn't planning to take the top off, just plastic and do it in situ.
Thoughts? Recommendations?
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Big Blue 1987 Weekender Vanagon |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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davevickery
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Joined: July 16, 2005
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Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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I used an orbital sander to prep mine, then alcohol. What a time saver. If you sand off the orange peel effect, you can get it back if you roller paint the top. If you spray it, I guess you get a smooth surface. I rollered it and it looks great, the orange peel effect of the roller pretty well matched the way it was before.
I used the interlux primer and interlux bright white which is brighter than the pastel white of the van, but it is fine. It is a bit glossy but not as bad as some of the repainted tops I see that use the same sheen/color as the van.
I think you just need to get as much of the old paint off and prime it and roller on the new stuff. Since you're changing colors you can't afford to have it flake off later. I wouldn't worry about any sanding marks, orbital sanders are great. |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16501
Location: Brookeville, MD
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hoipolloi
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Joined: February 05, 2010
Posts: 44
Location: Santa Cruz
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| Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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I am finding that the sanding is not working as I expected. The paint is balling up on the sander (and on the roof) and turning into hard little balls of paint, not plyable or powdery. Really hard little pieces. Never really seen that before.
Do you guys think I need to sand it down to 100% white and paintless or would a good sanding down to a nice smooth surface suffice?
If I go the paint stripper method:
What paint stripper do you guys recommend? This one?
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=2544
Any tips working with that stuff? Is it easy to use and effective? Might be an easier process than trying for a complete sand job.
Thanks everyone.
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Big Blue 1987 Weekender Vanagon |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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hoipolloi
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2010
Posts: 44
Location: Santa Cruz
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| Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah. No doubt...
Do you think I can use the stripper and go that method without taking the pop-top off of the van?
Do I need to be concerned about any stripper destroying the actual top?
Thanks
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Big Blue 1987 Weekender Vanagon
Last edited by hoipolloi on Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:55 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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djkeev
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hoipolloi
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Joined: February 05, 2010
Posts: 44
Location: Santa Cruz
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| Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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Alright! The project is coming along great! At least I think it is. About 16+ hours of sanding to get the original paint off the top.
I just finished laying up (most) of the primer. I like the texture the closed cell roller leaves when using the the Interlux 333 brush thiner. But I have one question:
Should I sand the Interlux Pre-Kote (primer) before starting the first layer of Interlux Brightside paint? And then sand between layers of Brightside?
I do not think I am going to roll and tip. I am just going to roll so that I get that orange peel texture that comes originally (the roller was doing a great job of leaving that look with the primer, hoping the paint lays down similarly).
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Big Blue 1987 Weekender Vanagon |
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dobryan
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Location: Brookeville, MD
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djkeev
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tarandusVDub
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Joined: August 27, 2010
Posts: 1649
Location: Between Here and There
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 8:01 am Post subject: |
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I just completed this project, and this thread was great. I do wish I'd used a closed cell foam roller, as I am now dealing with lots of strands stuck in the paint. Mostly it looks great though.
Someone said that the paint actually takes months to cure, but its ok to put the top back on the van pretty soon after painting. My paint still seems soft, although its been 36 hours now.
Assuming I don't drop it or anything stupid, is it dry enough now to put the top back on without messing up the paint with normal handling?
Recommendations for decals and rain gutter clamps?
Thanks
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infoforjt
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Joined: September 24, 2014
Posts: 7
Location: Oakland, CA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 8:31 pm Post subject: Re: Quick pop top painting questions |
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Hi,
Reviving this thread to ask a specific paint color question. I've read several threads regarding painting the Westfalia top and I'm leaning towards rolling on a marine paint as discussed throughout this thread. Our van is Titan Red so I'm wondering out of the three main brands mentioned in this thread (Interlux, Petit, and AwlGrip) has anyone gone this route and found a good match to Titan Red? I'm going to request paint samples but thought I'd ask as well.
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'89 Westfalia |
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Terry Kay
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Joined: June 22, 2003
Posts: 13331
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 9:28 am Post subject: Re: Quick pop top painting questions |
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An exact match from the 3 sources of paint supplier's you mentioned is going to be difficult--
Maybe close , but not exact.
The only way you'll get an exact match would be with Imron , from an automotive paint dealer who can mix with mfg. paint codes.
Then you'll have to be spraying the paint on the top, no rolling & brushing.
Iron sets up way too quick to apply it that way.
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dobryan
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Location: Brookeville, MD
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infoforjt
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Joined: September 24, 2014
Posts: 7
Location: Oakland, CA
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| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: Quick pop top painting questions |
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Thanks Terry. I think mixing and spraying may become cost prohibitive with the other brand you mentioned. I spoke with the three brands today and have paint chips in the mail. I'm hoping to at least get close enough that it looks good. If not, we may consider doing a completely different color top.
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'89 Westfalia |
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(And no I do not know that paint brand so cannot help ...) 
)