One of the hardest decisions I have to make ever since I got the van is what colour to have it. Whenever you talk to someone about restoring a van they always ask what colour it's going to be.
I started my VW life in the late eighties so those pastel colours of the back to '89 cars have been a great influence on me. If I'd sprayed the van 20 years ago it would have definitely been pastel green with a white top rolling on Empi 5s.
To bring us up to modern day I gave myself the brief of picking a paint that has a classic look with a modern touch but would not date easily. This is a tall order, I could play it safe or try something original. Some of the new Minis achieve the classic touch with modern colours. And this muscle car from the Overhauling gave me some real inspiration.
Spending a bit of time on BusSelecta.com, then copying a picture into Microsoft paint as you get to play about with a lot more colours, I came up with a few ideas.
I wanted a colour that would match my personality, but that would have come out green and white, (or accordingly to my so called friends many variations of bland) and I needed something that would look a bit classier than my laid back combat shorts and surfer shirts clothing style.
So after many years I finally had a 99% decision that I may have a vague possible colour I might like. So I dragged Nic my consultant vehicle stylist to spend the (way too early) morning in a paint shop looking through some paint swatches. Loaded with a few sample rattle cans I then spent the day in the garage trying to teach myself how to get paint on the van.
A quick rub down with 360 grit paper, clean off with thinners, and mask off the rear corner panel with all the e-bay packing paper I could find in the house.
My first attempt at laying down paint. I wasn't confident at first laying it on too fast and thin with not enough overlap, or being even around the corner, but soon got the hang of it.... I think.
Another roll of brown paper and a very quick rub down as I was getting impatient and wanted to see some paint on.
Time to reveal the work. I did make a muck up by stroking the paint when I thought it was dry, and creasing it. I then rubbed it back but then smeared it with thinners, then left fine scratches that were highlighted when I lacquered it.
Beaming with excitement I dragged my girlfriend into the garage after her long day at work, No my darling it isn't a new bathroom suite but a painted corner of the van. She was very impressed but didn't quite share my excitement.
We romantically pushed the van out to catch the setting sun. I dusted off the rear bumper, fitted the Fusch wheels and stuck a curtain rail on the side to see if the colours worked. Without giving too much away as I'll reveal the true colour later, in the dark it looks black and silver and in the sun you get a brown and gold effect.
With the van back inside I then spent the next day cutting back the lacquer to get rid of my muck ups and to get a mirror finish. The camera really shows the fleck in the black. The new paint is very smooth and tactile, each time I see (or stroke) it I'm more convinced it is right colour.
Bring on stripping and painting. : )
