Date: Wed, 10 May 2000 11:16:23 -0400
Reply-To: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject: Re: Westfalia top color...
Sure. Paint it white. What the hell.
OR: If you decide to polish it, "Old No. 7" works great, as does "Color
Back".
BTW: I painted the black fiberglass top & rollbar to my 1972 white 914 and
swapped out the bumpers to the 916 bumpers in white, and nobody ostracized
me.
G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Corporate Communications Counselors
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Mount Olive, NC USA
877.658.1278 tollfree
"I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses
herein and herein contained, et cetera, et cetera . . . fax mentis
incendium gloria culpum, et cetera, et cetera . . . memo bis punitor
delicatum!" It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal! -Wonka
-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Schmitz [SMTP:djs@GENE.COM]
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2000 10:48 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Westfalia top color...
<< File: djs.vcf >> OK, so cabinet moldings ARE a legitimate discussion
topic. Who knew?
Here's one that I KNOW nobody will care about:
My '87 Westfalia has the fashionable, color-coordinated fiberglass top,
blue to match the metallic blue of the van. However, it's somewhat
oxidized, and I'm debating whether to try to clean/wax it or paint it
over. New seals are planned, regardless.
If I paint the top, I'm inclined to paint it white, for a couple of
reasons:
a) The interior temperature would be reduced a bit due to the reflection
of the top, thereby lessening the load on the AC and making the van more
comfortable (for me, anyway)
b) A white top wouldn't look all that bad, IMHO, as the earlier
Westfalias came that way. (and late Westfalias in silver have white
tops, so there is precedent for it)
c) I can use readily available marine boat paint, which holds up well to
the weather. I don't know if I can get fiberglass paint to match my
current color, although I haven't researched it yet.
My questions for the group:
Would it be absolute heresy for me to have a white top on a late model
Westfalia? Would I be forever barred from Vanagon social events because
of my unwillingness to color within the lines? (Social acceptance is
important to me, so I will carefully consider your responses)
If I go the paint route, is the original blue paint available for
fiberglass applications? Or, more to the point, what kind of paint
should I use, and can I get it mixed to match my van?
If I attempt to clean and wax the top, any recommendations on
technique/wax?
I have painted the tops on earlier (Type 2) Westfalias and my '82
Adventurewagen white, and have been pleased with the results. But I
realize that my current van will look somewhat unique with a white top,
so I'm looking for feedback before taking the plunge.
Once again, any feedback to this topic is appreciated.
Thanks,
Dan
'82 Adventurewagen (soon to be on the block for sale)
'87 Westfalia
'75 Porsche 914