bringing old red paint back up to shiny?

[Gromett]

I am considering one of these ex RM trucks for my next conversion.
Does anyone know if it is possible to buff/polish/compound the sides of the box back to a decent standard and get rid of the fade that makes the old vinyls so visible?


For those curious, the back door will be left on but painted up. It will be lowered to give me a balcony. Behind it will be a domestic patio/french door set giving me a lovely view out the back. The lounge area will be at the back with windows on both sides giving me full panoramic views out the windows with the exception of forwards.

Panels will be added to the sides below the box to allow installation of under body storage etc and make it look more like a motorhome. I will also be adding the aerodynamic trim to the sides of the cab and on the top of the cab to make it more streamlined.

 

[Ivory55]

Will you be getting a black and white cat called Jess ? Haha

 

[Mikeco]

Don’t think that commercial vans are allowed on Jasmin, if they are I’m going elsewhere.

 

[tofo]

Think you will never loose the old decal

Evan if it was painted over

In the right light and viewing angle

It will shine through

Unless you go right back to base material

Maybe a larger decal or wrap would do it



Im one of those that likes to work out whose
Truck it was last , re markings under the new paint

 

[pappajohn]

Years ago I had a dark blue Astra estate.
The paint was badly oxidised so I had it machine polished.

Cracking job over 95% of the car, some bit were just too badly oxidised.

6 months later it was back to a lovely matt grey/silver hue.

The only way to cover it up is literally that... Cover it up with a full respray Inc base coat primer.
In the case of my Astra. It remained blue/grey/silver.

Red is the worst colour of all.... A nice oxidised pink.

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[TheBig1]

you will find the bleached paint is virtually burnt through to the base coat. cutting compound will strip off more

sand and paint it is the only way other than vinyl that will only last a few years before beginning to peal and look tatty

 

[Abacist]

Red is the worst color for bleaching out - you'd be wasting your time!

 

[Geo]

Re paint it karl.
ill even come over and pull the trigger for you
Geo

 

[Gromett]

Don’t think that commercial vans are allowed on Jasmin, if they are I’m going elsewhere.

ok. I will rethink my plan then. Don't want to upset the regulars

 

[Gromett]

Re paint it karl.
ill even come over and pull the trigger for you
Geo

I think a respray would cost more than the truck would cost

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[Lenny HB]

Red is the worst color for bleaching out - you'd be wasting your time!

Agree neighbor had a red VW LT from new he converted, it was a loosing battle. Cut it back polish 2-3 months later looked a right mess again.

 

[Badknee]

Agree neighbor had a red VW LT from new he converted, it was a loosing battle. Cut it back polish 2-3 months later looked a right mess again.

I had an early Jetta and had a nightmare trying to keep it looking good. The paint went "milky" after a couple of months even with a good polish and wax.

 

[barsteward]

why not just try polishing? if its what you want you've nothing to lose, as fer't Jasmin regulars "rate folk er rate folk" if you can stand one of those american thingys in your line of site you can stand anything.

 

[Geo]

I think a respray would cost more than the truck would cost

Nah! You prep it get the materials £150 ill.put it right and then paint it free

 

[Gromett]

Nah! You prep it get the materials £150 ill.put it right and then paint it free

Wow, That is very kind of you. You have all the spray gear and compressor I guess then? I did look at buying or renting it but added up to much.

I will have a think, choice between being able to visit Jasmin or having a large truck for living in is a hard one. Just had another look at large panel vans to remind myself why I didn't go that route

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[Gromett]

Nah! You prep it get the materials £150 ill.put it right and then paint it free

What prep would I need to do. It is only the side panels and perhaps the front panel of the box that would need spraying. No rust as it is aluminium.

 

[scotjimland]

An ambitious project .. if done well it would make an excellent living van.. but curious about where you will covert it, do you have access to a yard with a workshop and equipment .. or garage to do this ?

It could also run away with a lot of money.. but I'm sure you have already done a costing.

As said, Re-spay ... anything else will be a bodge... good luck.

 

[mfw]

Used to spray lorries years ago (late 70s early 80s ) paint used was synthetic or iso-cyanite based paint got everywhere even taping overall on wrists and ankles vaseline on your face to remove paint that got on that.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Please change the colour..........RED

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

If the pannels to be painted are aluminum then you should use a etching primer paint that bites into the aluminum to stop it flaking (expensive), I would go the cheapest way and sand it then primer it then pick a nice Dulex colour and spray it cost £50. Then if you keep it 5 years you can always paint it again or even a different colour for £50.


It's what us poor people do.LOL

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[Lenny HB]

Perfect for Karl.

 

[Mikeco]

ok. I will rethink my plan then. Don't want to upset the regulars

Off to Spain in two weeks for 6 months so as long as it’s finished for April you will be okay. Have you told Jim yet.

 

[Gromett]

An ambitious project .. if done well it would make an excellent living van.. but curious about where you will covert it, do you have access to a yard with a workshop and equipment .. or garage to do this ?

It could also run away with a lot of money.. but I'm sure you have already done a costing.

As said, Re-spay ... anything else will be a bodge... good luck.

I have done 2 self builds before. I do a basic conversion in a couple of weeks. Then I live in it while doing the rest. As I said done it twice before. Current van was done in 2 weeks then moved into it. As for tools, I have all the tools required.

Money wise. It works out cheaper than buying a ready made one and I get the precise layout I want.

 

[Gromett]

Once these trucks are done up they look pretty good.

Broken Link Removed

 

[Gromett]

The end result would be something like this; Not exactly as I will be using better/different windows..

My interior will be different.

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[ianthebuilder]

That truck looks the business grommet,,,,

I’m sure the inside of yours would look a bit better! Although on the film I can’t see much of it clearly!!

Is there room for a proper shower cubicle etc?
I’m your design I mean? X

 

[ianthebuilder]

Just another thing,, that one that’s for sale on eBay for £3500 or whatever, it says it’s done over 600,000 mikes,, are they good for that??

 

[Ivory55]

Bouncing up kerbs is one of the things delivery motors suffer from all day. I bet that the steering is not straight

 

[Gromett]

Just another thing,, that one that’s for sale on eBay for £3500 or whatever, it says it’s done over 600,000 mikes,, are they good for that??

Yes and more. The reason I am looking at the royal mail trucks is they are extremely well maintained no expense spared. The second something starts to wear it gets replaced. Chassis and body rust is rare except on the rear tail lift. Many people who have converted them have comments at their first MOT about how good they are mechanically.

Parts are dirt cheap.

That truck looks the business grommet,,,,

I’m sure the inside of yours would look a bit better! Although on the film I can’t see much of it clearly!!

Is there room for a proper shower cubicle etc?
I’m your design I mean? X

Yes, I will be doing a very different layout to him.. A full size shower, toilet and sink will be installed. The bed will be raised right at the front and most of the storage will be under there.

I will make a post about my current build so you can see what I have done already.

 

[Gromett]

Bouncing up kerbs is one of the things delivery motors suffer from all day. I bet that the steering is not straight

I bet it is

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