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Date:         Thu, 12 Oct 2006 12:52:58 -0400
Reply-To:     Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Subject:      Re: Was Painting Now Prepping
Comments: To: Ryan Miller <rmiller@AZTECA.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <200610120839626.SM00316@evilzed>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Hi Ryan,

Jeff's advice was right on the money. Get the replacement seal BEFORE removing the originals. I usually carve a slit in the seal from the outside with a boxcutter/carpet knife and then press the window outwards from the inside where a helper will catch it for me.

If the seals are in good condition it's possible to pry the glass out with about 6 screwdrivers, but you have to be VERY careful if you are going to accomplish this without breaking glass or tearing the rubber. I wouldn't even try it if the temp is below 70 degrees, the rubber will be too brittle.

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts 1973/74/75/77/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato" www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia www.busesofthecorn.com

On 12-Oct-06, at 10:38 AM, Ryan Miller wrote:

> I've been gearing up to paint Beethoven now for a few years, but > the task > seems so daunting. Especially if you plan to do a lot of the prep work > yourself. Thanks for the tips though. I'm wondering about glass > removal. My > windshield is cracked and needs replacing, so I've got a spare > waiting to go > in in my basement, but what about all the other windows? Does it > make sense > to have a professional remove them since I don't know squat about > doing it? > What about the seals? Seems like every time a window is removed or > replaced > the seals are never as good as they once were. Should I replace the > rubber? > I may not have a choice there they're so old. > > Thanks, > Ryan > '82 Camper Van "Beethoven" > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On > Behalf Of > Greg Potts > Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 8:39 PM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Re: Painting > > Hi Jeff, > > I took my 73 westy to a local Maaco 5.5 years ago. I was expecting > that for $400 I would get two years out of it. Today I am still quite > pleased with the finish they applied, though some rust that was > unknown to me then has recently started to bubble up. This is not > unusual in Ontario, and probably would have happened regardless of > who painted it. > > Be aware that Maaco and Earl Schreib are both in business to make > money painting cars. They attract customers with low prices, and the > more cars they can paint, the more $$ they take home. They are > usually pretty good at painting, but not very attentive to prep work. > They offer varying grades of paint... I chose the mid-grade for a > price of $379. (Low-ball was $299, deluxe was $499). > > The secret to a good paint-job is in the prepping. But Maaco et al do > as little prep as possible before they paint, because time prepping > is time not spent painting. And painting is where their $$$ comes > from. If *YOU* prep the vehicle before you take it in you will get a > much better result: > > Tips: > - Remove the trim, door-seals and door-handles. They will merely tape > them off, and the end results will look like it. > - Remove the windows and seals. > - Remove the bumpers, headlights, tail-lights and lenses. Remove the > bulbs, and tape off the reflectors. if it's removalble, take it off. > - If you're applying primer, ask ahead of time what primers are > compatible with their paint system. > - If the vehicle has to be towed to the paint-shop, so be it. > > Here's my bus prepped and waiting in the Maaco lot: > http://www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia/creation/pictures/agf00002_12.html > > This will add about 4 hours labour to the job, but the end result > will be well worth it. > > Happy Trails, > > Greg Potts > 1973/74/75/77/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato" > www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia > www.busesofthecorn.com > > > > > On 11-Oct-06, at 3:09 PM, Jeff Lincoln wrote: > >> This is just a simple opinion question - I'm sure to get a >> response :) >> >> If cost is a major option - what are the lists thoughts on having a >> bus >> painted at an Earl Sceib or similar mass painting shop. I tend to >> be very >> apprehensive of their claims. However, what is really the >> difference between >> what they will do for $750 or what a small independent shop will do >> for >> thousands? >> >> I'm not trying to be cheap but $$$$ are always an issue at this >> point in >> life.If a $750 paint job is going to last me many years it may be >> worth it - >> then again I would want it to be of at least good quality and >> workmanship. I >> know it is sort of a dumb question because what I am really asking >> about is >> quality but your opinions will help as I have no bench mark or >> experience >> with any of this. >> >> I'm also once again getting ahead of myself as it will be quite a >> while >> before I am ready to make any decisions on this. >> >> -- >> Thanks, >> >> Jeff >> 90' Carat (It's Blue, It's Beautiful, It needs a lot of work) >> 86' (Soon to be donating organs to the 90') >> 85' GL (sidelined but to be resurrected in the near future)


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