Respray the stretched limo

[BTB 500]

Beware - colour-coded bumpers are normally different mouldings ... not the standard ones (which have a slightly rough surface finish) sprayed.

If you look closely at a colour-coded Vito, there's a recess for a side badge (Trend, Ambiente, etc.) on the door mouldings - that's because Viano parts are fitted in place of the normal ones. There's no badge recess there on a Vito that isn't colour-coded.

Same applies on the VW Transporter T5; to colour code they fit Caravelle bumpers in place of the stock ones. I've seen a couple that have had the normal bumpers sprayed, and close-up they look very poor.

 

[glojo]

Beware - colour-coded bumpers are normally different mouldings ... not the standard ones (which have a slightly rough surface finish) sprayed.

Thanks,
I'm certainly not going to rush into any type of colour coding. I'll take Television's advice and scour the Internet to see if I can find any interesting vehicles.

Forget the bling, forget the bull bars, forget everything apart from the colour coding:

John

 

[GrahamC230K]

I'm quite surprised John. Haven't you got the van down at the body shop already? I thought you would have looked into all this first and researched it and then put it in to either have colour coded bumpers fitted or not if that's what you decided.

Surely two visits if you do devide to have it done is more inconvenient?

 

[glojo]

I'm quite surprised John. Haven't you got the van down at the body shop already?

The vehicle is at the bodyshop. I never realised over painting plastic was a feasible option, but once again it goes to show that by asking questions on this forum, we get answers.

It was only recently that I thought about a respray and then I bounced ideas off of some of the more knowledgeable members of this forum; some of whom have been both helpful and extremely constructive with their advice. Once I decided it was a feasible option I went out to get some estimates and this has perhaps led to your comments.

The shop that has taken on this job had a cancellation and has fitted my vehicle in at extremely short notice. There are no parts to order, so the job starts straight away. This has left me without much time to think about all the 'what if' scenarios. I CANNOT get out to look at anything, I CANNOT get out to discuss this task. My only option is to keep asking questions, or keep quiet and not take advantage of the expert knowledge that has been forthcoming???

Hindsight is easy, making right decisions before the event is slightly more difficult. There will not be two visits and as we speak the vehicle is being completely stripped down, so I have a few days to finalise things before paints comes into contact with metal.

John

 

[GrahamC230K]

Sounds good. Just didn't sound like your usual thorough methodical self, but if you are still going to be able to get the options digested and make a call so if it's a go'er it's still only one visit, that makes sense, otheriwse I saw it costing more in time and money.

You clearly like the vehicle looking good, I'd persoanlly leave the wheels and if colour coded bumpers and mirrors are an option one way or another go for it. Good luck.

 

[jaymanek]

I agree, but as has been mentioned, for the paint not to crack or peel on the plastic bumpers the appropriate treatment is needed, ensure the bodyshop do it properly otherwise it will look rubbish in six months...

 

[glojo]

Sounds good. Just didn't sound like your usual thorough methodical self, but if you are still going to be able to get the options digested and make a call so if it's a go'er it's still only one visit, that makes sense, otheriwse I saw it costing more in time and money.

Thanks very much. I totally agree with all your very valid points and it will be just the one visit.

Regards
John

Edit
Been speaking with the shop and in their opinion it is not the best of ideas to spray the bumpers. Evidently some plastics are more suited than others. Mine are the others. They will try to rejuvinate them when the work is all finished

I previously e-mailed them the picture of Dieselman's Chavmobile and asked for mine to be sprayed in similar colours!

 

[Carrotchomper]

I can visualise the plastic bumpers on a Sprinter and they are far from the best to paint! Far too rough and would probably look tatty very rapidly. Good decision not to!

 

[television]

I also think that it is wise not to, this is a vehicle that is used, once painted every mark will show.

Its nice to have gone through the thought process, and come out being practical, so to say.

Thats solved. Next ???? Blue Running lights underneath

 

[glojo]

I also think that it is wise not to, this is a vehicle that is used, once painted every mark will show.

Its nice to have gone through the thought process, and come out being practical, so to say.

Thats solved. Next ???? Blue Running lights underneath

Tis easy to come up with ideas, the difficult bit is to listen to differing opinions.

I'm just hoping the vehicle will look okay. The way I figure it though is that it couldn't look any worse?

John

 

[television]

Tis easy to come up with ideas, the difficult bit is to listen to differing opinions.

I'm just hoping the vehicle will look okay. The way I figure it though is that it couldn't look any worse?

John

You have only had about 230 opinions, wait till we get going.

If they do not look good or right, you can paint them in a plastic paint the same colour as they are now, then marks will not show. The paint must be matt or semi matt on a dimpled standard bumper, then it will not look tacky

 

[glojo]

A very clever member of this forum has reproduced these vans and this is an attempt at tealite blue

:bannana: This is the work of a very clever person using Photoshop and this is the work of the paint shop using real paint

I am very, very pleased with the result. The paintwork comes with a no quibble six year warranty??? The side windows, rear windows and all doors, and the bonnet were sprayed seperately. The underside of the bonnet is in the new paint, but the engine bay itself is still red, but that is my only observation.

Very impressed.

Was Unit504's attempt close or what?

Thanks everyone for all the excellent advice and now I need to think about the wheels? Keep the steels or get new wheels??

Regards
John

 

[Dieselman]

Well I think the bodyshop have done a cracking job of matching up to the photoshop jobbie..

Keep the steels, they suit the van much better now it's not such a contrast colour.

Looking good, a lot better.

 

[gina2201]

I agree, the steels look good

 

[MikeL]

Well I'm buggered now John, I always sail past your house until I spot the red van.

Note to self - van is blue, van is blue etc.

Mike

 

[television]

Yes the steel wheels look OK and suit it

 

[glojo]

Well I'm buggered now John,

Don't look at me

GOLLOM (said in a shouting manner )

I always sail past your house until I spot the red van

I can see 'The Boss' doing the same thing

They have even made up an excellent plastic cover for the rams of the rear lift. Plus they have fitted a new free set of number plates.

The tax is about to expire so we can get the log book changed at the same time as renewing the tax disc.

I must confess to wanting to change the wheels, but it is a fool that asks for advice, then ignores it.

Regards
John

 

[gina2201]

How about some more photoshop jobs with wheels?

But I would be inclined to stick with the steels.

(just realised that rhymes, no intention!)

 

[Dave Lewis]

Looks great John. A quality item, exuding class and good taste
No hurry to change the wheels, they look OK.

Do I get a prize for voting for tealite?

 

[MBManInKen]

That looks great John, excellent choice and well done to the body shop.

And full marks to Unit504, impressive!