Adventure Van -> Truck Camper -> DIY.Roamer

One of the services my company does is bus wraps. The majority of wrap vinyl is from 3M and there are several grades with varying durability warranties. The premium stuff is 5 years on a vertical exterior surface.

When I had my boat I applied a name graphic to side that was about 4' long. Had it on there for about three and a half years before it was sold and the new owner didn't want it on there. Removed and buffed out you could not tell it had been there.

Some installers will scratch the paint when they cut it on the vehicle for fitting and trimming. Removing it isn't what creates the 'shredding' effect. It's quite easy to remove, just peels off.

Another way to use graphics which I assume you're aware of is to do a partial. Incorporate the base color in the overall look with color or image applied where needed/wanted.

An overal color change is not advisable for the reasons stated.

BTW, been lurking and enjoying the thread for a number of pages. Nice project.

I think that there are lots of paint shops out there that are capable of putting out quality paint jobs that exceed that of the factories. Many shops now have the same technology and material quality at hand the real difference is that the factory can do it on a massive scale.

It is more of a "hue" than a color - a steel blue...



For the life of me I can't get photoshop to look like what I see in my brain



web browser engines suck at subtle changes


Then take my "2 stripes over the top" and do them in the other shade of blue...


....and then I came across this color which I really like!

If Cheryl would let me.. I'd paint it like a P40 warhawk




or

Or how cool would it be to paint it like an old willies!




then you would never have to wash it

ok.. disregard all the color discussion.

I just ran an errand and I really do like the monochromaticness of the black windows & wheels and white paint.

...today.

Just think of all the money you saved in a paint job and at the car wash.

I've had a couple black vehicles and it was impossible to keep a clean look. Silver seemed to be the best color to keep looking clean longer.

Crap! I didn't realize that. Well then.........

Around the corner?

(yesterday)










I like the white, Geek. It's way easier to keep looking good than black.

Three things, oh Geeky one:

1. Ditto Gummee's mpg loss experience on his S320. The Williebago loses about 2 mpg with the bars and bike mounts, and 4 with both bikes mounted.

2. Black sucks. I'll never own another black vehicle. Wait for the lack of clear coat to show itself, then paint it a medium gray - the sheet-color ps job looks good to me.

3. Great build. I've enjoyed watching and will continue to.

I saw a matte black one and it looked pretty bad ass. Not sure how durable matte paint is though, although it could have been wrapped as well, not sure.

Just saw your post reconsidering....white always looks clean...and doesn't show scratches.

The only way to do it right is to completely strip the vehicle down to the shell and paint everything, inside and out. That's the only way to be sure there won't be an edge to peel up. If you're going to go to all that trouble, have the body stripped to bare metal and galvanized, then start over from primer. That'll help keep it from rusting, too.

I had a door painted once. They masked on the inside of the door where the skin overlap was rolled and crimped to keep it in place. No one could see it, but I could feel the masked edge every time I touched the door. I couldn't stand it and ended up selling the vehicle. They should have removed the door from the vehicle, stripped out all the hardware, and painted the whole thing so that there was no edge to mask.

2006 & older get a few mpg better mileage!
If you can find one in good shape.. they rock

Love the idea of a warhawk paint job! Absolutely should go for it!

For me personally.. the low roof kinda defeats the entire point of the sprinter (6'3" headroom)

I like the flares, plus you could extend the outside fascia to the rear end and improve aerodynamics.

Just found this thread... Subscribe-ified!

Ever own a glass black car in Colorado? Not even a chance to keep it clean looking and glassy like the pictures. For a true adventure van, why not bedliner it flat black to halfway up then the steal grey paint?


I'd also think it'd be cool to paint it like the Mystery Machine.

Matter of fact..for the past 5 years I've driven a black bmw in Colorado and it is nothing to keep them clean here compared to the 4 different black cars I owned in Canada .



Back to something relevant... We gotta pick out carpet this weekend.

Tan or Grey?