Can I paint my bus?

[dfmastin]

So while I wait for my tail lights to arrive...
Would y'all please take a look at the picture below?
I inherited my bus with a couple of unpainted spots.
Friend across the street has an air compressor. Should I buy an automotive paint gun and finish this paint job myself, or is it a more difficult task than I imagine? Thanks so much for your thoughts!

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1973 Campmobile Watercooled Engine Click to view image

[camit34]

I don't think that painting part is all that hard (not sying it's easy and anyone can do it by any meands), what's going to be hard is not just finding matching paint but then blending it in with the old will be a real PITA. It would probably look better than it does with the gray primer but...
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In search of a Vanagon
1971 Westy (SOLD)
1971 Deluxe (SOLD)
1967 Freedom Camper (SOLD)

[[email protected]]

Primer is porous so you don't want to let it sit in the wet for months on end. I sprayed my own car but it is a frankenbug and I never figured to win any shows. I have a nice layer of two part automotive paint complete with a couple of runs to keep the elements away from the metal. I am very happy with the results, we drive all over and get lots of waves and thumbs up. That's what it's all about for me.

[Pinetops]

Yes, please do or have a shop do it. Is the existing paint single stage? Get the paint matched and go for it. Overlap onto the existing orange a little and don't use tape for your paint line. You can tape it off but leave yourself some extra space so you can blend. You blend by laying down less and less paint at the edge of your touch up area onto the existing paint. Once dry wet sand and buff all of it. Use grease and wax remover and clean the area getting paint thoroughly before spraying any paint.
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"A rolling bus gathers no rust."

[skills@eurocarsplus]

You can't blend single stage. It will look like the new paint is sitting on top of the old paint. Try it. You'll see
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[Bala]

Have you thought about just removing the primer? Do you know what is actually under there? I would try some graffiti remover or oven cleaner first and see what you're actually dealing with.
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1976 Westy

1966 Beetle

[jtauxe]

I'm with Bala on this one. If that primer has been there for anything over a week, or if you did not lay it on there, it would be good to remove it and see what is underneath. You have got to have a reliable base, no matter what you do.
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John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

[Tcash]

[Thrasher22]

[quote="Tcash"]

[driverinmyhead]

.

I will chime in.....

The easiest way to get your bus "All one color" is to "spot in" the paint.

Remove something ORANGE, preferably faded (the engine compartment lid), take it to a REAL automotive paint supply (if you don't know, ask a body shop) and ask them to match the decklid the best they can. If they are any good... it will be a 7 out of 10 match or better.

If they can load spray cans... great. If not...better. That way you can mix your own reducer, japan dryer, etc... whatever you want.

As others said-- remove that primer. See what's under there, then respray the primer before you shoot color.

Should be an afternoon project and should come out pretty nicely.



Option B: take something small that's orange to the store and match it to 2-3 spray cans. Come home and mask off the larger area, then spray. Won't be perfect, but it'll be ORANGE.




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[dfmastin]

Geesh, these are some fantastic suggestions!
The van has been stored indoors in a new restoration garage for the last couple of years, but the primer is now mostly exposed.
The picture below shows that on one side there's a repair underneath.
Found the M-Plate!
So now I'm waiting on tail lights and paint.
I'll keep y'all updated and I'll make a signature.
Thanks a bazillion for all your thoughts. So cool. This is so much more fun than just tackling on my lonesome.

M-Plate Decoded:
Decode Results:
Production Date: September 22, 1969
Exported To: USA, Reserve
Designation: VW Campmobile
Engine KW (BHP): 50 (6; 49 (66)
Transmission Type: manual
Engine: *
Transmission Code: -
Extras Code: 609/517
Paint / Interior
Paint Scheme: Brilliant Orange
Paint Codes: L20B
Paint Notes: Code only used on Westfalia campers
Interior Scheme: dark beige
Interior Material: leatherette
Interior Notes:
Options
507: Vent wings in cab doors
518: Campmobile with pop-up roof
D04: ???
P31: Westfalia SO 70/2 interrior (?)
102: Rear window heater
227: Detachable headrest in cab

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1973 Campmobile Watercooled Engine Click to view image

[westcoastmarek]

hmmm, those don't look like typical tail lights on a '69... and the flares over rear wheels are newer too.
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1979 Westy Auto
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sold...
1979 VW bus, 2L FI, now with a rivi top
1971 7 pass. deluxe
1974 Beetle

[1967250s]

[/quote]

If this is your Bus, it is not a 1969 or '70 model year. It has the larger late lights and late wheels, probably has the later square intakes, too. What is the 3rd number of the VIN? You can find it couple of places; windshield and left rear side of engine metal. The second pic in the engine compartment is a different color, looks like sierra yellow,and the first one looks like orange, clementine like below??

And what is hanging down under the rear? Is it a watercooled engine?
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'72 Elm Green Deluxe

[dfmastin]

Third number of the VIN (according to PO's insurance card) is a "3".
Manual says 1973 and printed plate next to M-Plate says September 72.
The second previous picture you refer to is the inside of engine compartment and is a faded orange probably looking strange due to flash, but yeah, not like outside.
What I typed was the output of an M Plate decoder I found (http://www.alltheprettybuses.com/_d_decoder.asp). Here's the M plate

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1973 Campmobile Watercooled Engine Click to view image

[dfmastin]

Oh durn, didn't see your last question.
I need to create a signature for sure.
Yeah PO put a watercooled v6 Cologne (I think; http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=626455&highlight=) in there!
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1973 Campmobile Watercooled Engine Click to view image