Date:         Thu, 25 Oct 2001 12:46:03 -0400
Reply-To:     Joe <mejoe@EMAIL.TOAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joe <mejoe@EMAIL.TOAST.NET>
Subject:      Getting my Westy ready for "Earl"
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         I have a White 83.5 Westy that is in desperate need of a paint job. The
present "paint" (if it can still be called that) is oxidized to the point
where it nothing but a deep thick chalk that rubs off with ease. There is
also some surface rust visible on one of the seams and along a few "ridges"
on the body.
        Finances dictate that the paint job be done by "Maco" or "Earl Schribe".
One of the corners these guys cut is Pre-Paint Preparation. I figure I might
be able to get around this be doing my own prep before I deliver it to
"Earl" for painting.

1.      A good washing is, of course, mandatory prior to painting but it seems to
me that regular car wash will not do it since regular auto soap is designed
to preserve paint and so may not get the surface as clean as it needs to be
for painting. Is there some special "Pre-Painting Car Wash" or other
chemical that will do the trick?

2.      When I wash it should I use a sponge or should I "roughen" the surface
with something like a stiff scrub brush or perhaps even fine steel wool?

3.      I am assuming that the "chalk" is providing some anti-rust protection and
so should be left alone until "the last minute" to avoid surface rust. If my
assumption is correct, what is a reasonable "last minute"? Can I clean the
chalk off, say, a week prior to painting?

4.      For the seam rust I have already obtained "Por-15" materials, including
their seam filler but I need a GOOD primer. Any recommendations?

5.      I will be pulling the pop-top prior to prep. I plan to plug the resulting
HUGE hole with plastic sheet wrapped cardboard reinforced as necessary with
1"x1" wood and a LOT of duct tape. Any suggestions?

6.      The pop-top itself is looking pretty sad. I plan a good scrubbing
followed by a good marine fiberglass paint applied with a paint brush. Good
idea?

        Any other "If Earl was gonna get my Westy I would ________" type of
advice/recommendations/cautions would be much appreciated.