Date: Tue, 22 May 2001 22:01:50 -0500
Reply-To: Marshall Ruskin <mjruskin@home.com>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Marshall Ruskin <mjruskin@home.com>
Subject: Re: Seam Sealer removal Tool
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
The rust converter is a good idea - but unless you seal the seams with something like an epoxy primer or POR 15 - the seam sealer or vinyl caulk is not going to do the trick.
I recently stripped all the paint on the van, from the armpits down, using aircraft paint remover. Stuff works great, and Ouch! hurts when you get some on your skin.
I then used POR Marine Clean to degrease the surface, then used POR Metal Ready to prep and etch the surface .(just a high-priced rust converter).
Then I sprayed POR 15 Grey over the bare etched metal. I gotta say folks - it looks superb just like that. It is so glossy it has a true mirror finish - like glass. Lexus and Acura's don't have that kind of deep reflectivity. Got comments from people on how did I get that finish.
Ever seen the Audi TT in that grey colour that looks like primer? That is what this looks like, only the POR has a better shine.
Thing is - POR degrades with UV exposure, so I have to top-coat it. It'd be nice to put a clear-coat over it instead, but I'll save that for the next vanagon I get (someday).
In any case, those body seams are, from the outside at least, sealed rock solid now.
Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy "Iron Igloo"
----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Ingalls
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 11:46 AM
Subject: Seam Sealer removal Tool
Hi Volks,
Today I started on seam rust repair.
I tried to use a Utility Knife to get the old seam sealer out. Kinda slow going......So I have a small Makita hand-held grinder with a metal cutting disk laying around the shop. Whoa, worked excellent.....the disk follows the groove of the seam. Just had to dig the little sealer left in the bottom of the seam out with the mini utility knife.
Put some Eastwood Corroless rust convertor in the seam with a plastic model paint brush. Now to let it dry over night.
Did it all to the sound of Dylan's Street Legal CD. ( Obligatory Non-Vanagon content : )
Mark Ingalls
Nebraska City, Nebraska
85 Vanagon GL 'Airheart'
75 Beetle 'Salvation'
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