Respray the stretched limo

[hawk20]

I think Mr Toad is right about many points (other than the ease of using a tarpaulin for Mrs Glojo). Resprays where you can see it has been done a different colour are not popular in the trade. However, come back to my question a second. How long do you intend to keep it? If you intend to keep it 4 or 5 more years, it will be worth little anyway -so you might as well spray only what you see.

But I'm surprised nobody has come back on the products that bring the colour back Wish I could remember the names. But I have seen a demo done on an old faded red bonnet and it came up like new. Anyone know the name?????

The colour of this beast may appeal to you and some nice extras to add John.

 

[glojo]

Hi Hawk,
No telling how long I will keep it

The vehicle has been specially adapted so I am convincing myself to keep it for the long haul. Buying a replacement would be straight forward but the innards of the current vehicle would not fit the interior of the new one. The fitments might swap over, but that will involve and awful lot of man hours.

A tarpaulin would be a non starter, and a car port would not solve the problem; the front of the vehicle would still be exposed.

Regarding the direct sunlight, of course that is what is doing the damage, but I failed miserably to explain my point. By virtue of moving the same area is not exposed to the sun's rays. If we lay still, or park a vehicle, then the same spot is getting those harmful rays.

I have seen a number of products that claim to rejuvenate old paintwork, they are regularly advertised alongside magic carpet cleaners that can instantly remove dried up ink stains from a carpet. I have no personal opinion on whether it is possible to restore a factory finish, but the professional advice I'm getting says that option is a non starter? Spray painting\panel beating is a skill I would love to have, but sadly I no nothing about it, hence all my questions.

There is no way I would entertain having half a respray, the insides of all exposed parts will have to be painted.

When we go tomorrow I think my first choice would be to restore the original colour and then put on a UV barrier. Failing that I think it will be tealite blue, or one of the darker type primer colours (silver ) Although the boss quite likes the white option, but strangely enough she thinks the A-team option was just a joke??

If I can get the original paintwork restored then it might be tempting to change the wheels and perhaps the back-lights as in the picture Flash very kindly posted.

Bull bars, stainless steel exhausts and fuel tank, large hooters on the roof, fancy lights under the van

John

 

[wallingd]

Bull bars, stainless steel exhausts and fuel tank, large hooters on the roof, fancy lights under the van

Hope we're still talking about the van...

What about a large panel of protective glass or other material that the vehicle can be parked next to thus shielding in the appropriate direction?

 

[Howard]

Put a fat set of AMG's on it ....

And a set of these on the roof !!

http://www.hornblasters.com/video.php?pic=52

 

[nickg]

just spray it with a healthy dose of dirt and write witty grafitti with your finger on the back such as:

"I wish my wife was as dirty as this van"

(this is purely an example of the genre, not intended to suggest that is your/my/anyone else's personal view!)

 

[hawk20]

Hi Hawk,

Bull bars, stainless steel exhausts and fuel tank, large hooters on the roof, fancy lights under the van

John

I know it is a bit old, but looking back at old laughs found this -a real must-have accessory: -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwd_d_nYxdI

 

[glojo]

I know it is a bit old, but looking back at old laughs found this -a real must-have accessory: -

He reminded me of an old teacher that tried to teach me navigation. The words were definitely English, but there meaning was a multiple of Dutch

John

 

[hawk20]

But most important of all check out these wheels: -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reoeYcAn31g


Available at CUSTOMWHEEL.COM

 

[glojo]

But most important of all check out these wheels: -

Available at CUSTOMWHEEL.COM

Now we're talking. Those wheels are hot

I'll tell the boss I've ordered a set

John

 

[hawk20]

Here's a better link and more detail. Best not tell her they cost $12,000 a set. Nice!
http://customwheel.com/custom_wheels/product_info.php/products_id/1687

 

[glojo]

Been up all night with terrible pain, I just hope I'm able to get to the bodyshop today.

John

 

[MBManInKen]

Sorry to hear you had a dreadful night - hope you'll get some rest today. The bodyshop is not running away .

 

[glojo]

Sorry to hear you had a dreadful night - hope you'll get some rest today. The bodyshop is not running away .

Thanks very much, and I find this forum great diversion therapy. The boss has just chucked more medication down my throat so fingers crossed.

Yours sincerely,
John

 

[MBManInKen]

I find this forum great diversion therapy

I'll second that .

 

[Gollom]

Thanks very much, and I find this forum great diversion therapy. The boss has just chucked more medication down my throat so fingers crossed.

Yours sincerely,
John

Think of August John!!!:bannana: On second thoughts..........


On a serious note.... May have been mentioned before, but what about simply having it sprayed red again but with one of the more modern metallics that do not fade (I'm sure they must exist - otherwise how do they cope in sunnier countries?) That way you do not have the problem of all the inside bits etc. which will not only add to the costs but (IMHO) never be quite right without stripping the vehicle totally.

 

[glojo]

Think of August John!!!:bannana: On second thoughts..........


On a serious note.... May have been mentioned before, but what about simply having it sprayed red again but with one of the more modern metallics that do not fade (I'm sure they must exist - otherwise how do they cope in sunnier countries?) That way you do not have the problem of all the inside bits etc. which will not only add to the costs but (IMHO) never be quite right without stripping the vehicle totally.

Yup, I have already thought about your excellent point and it is a definite consideration. The air conditioning in the vehicle is trunked along the roof and it manages to keep the van cool on even the warmest days, so a dark metallic red is an option.

Thanks for the input

Regards
John

 

[glojo]

John,

Check Vigurs out - they have always done excellent work for me, including a new door for the e-class - should be able to provide advice as well. They are always busy so a visit is usually better than a phone call though.

Unfortunately I am in far too much discomfort to go out today. The morphine is not controlling the pain and I'm not all that 'with it!'

I tried talking to Vigurs to get an idea, but as soon as I mentioned I wanted a van resprayed, they weren't interested.

Blinking racists.

It could be I didn't get the words out in the right order though I am determined to try and get this matter resolved this week although the boss doesn't think I can get over this setback in the next day or so. (we'll see about that)

Anyway what about this colour option? It might do away with a few of the mentioned problems

 

[television]

It is an odd world that we live in, I admire your strength John as for the best part anyone reading on this forum would never know what you have to go through everyday. I was 200 post down the line before I knew.


Regarding paints and Red . Yes Red is the weakest colour in pigment and in optics. When doing bodywork years ago one had to be very careful to use the original undercoat (beige) when doing any work on a red car, if you did not, the undercoat would grin through in the sunshine and all of the filling could be seen.

The most spectacular way to do it is to spray it white first, I did this on all of my Alfa's, I do believe that the car in the pic above has been done white first.

With all base coat system used now, fading is a thing slipping into the past

 

[C43AMG]

Nice colour John. As Malcolm has said you put on a very brave face.

 

[petef]

Hi John, hope your feeling better.
Why are you considering spraying ?If its that bad and is going to cost a lot too fix would it not be better to trade it in ?
You often see older astras with this dull paint finish ..but a merc..............?What about one of your letters to mercedes ? I am sure that mercedes sell their vehicles all over the world including that place called Iraq....surely the vehicles must be tested to withstand the heat in these countries and also up to extreme temperatures throughout the world. Whether the car is stationary or not surely is irrelevant !....is there not a body work / paint guarantee for 10 years on the mercedes ? I am sure there is on fords..........Good luck John and I hope your pain has eased. Pete