Date:         Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:27:05 -0400
Reply-To:     Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: painting poptop?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/werksforwagens/sets/72157600703463409/
Here is a set of pictures that shows the top painted with Interlux boat paint.

If the link dosen't work,I will send it to your email address.

I used the Vanagonauts site when painting it, but it did not turn out good.
The sanding and primer sequences were fine, but the straight Interlux made
the top look like a washing machine or refrigerator with the high gloss.
Boats are painted high gloss, right? Same problems with brushing it
on--ugly!. I added deglosser by Interlux, 50 percent, and got a finish that
I could live with.

Air compressors had just begun invading the west coast docks when this
happened, so I went to Harbor Freight and the day was saved.I resanded and
primed everything, then sprayed as a rookie can. It turned out beautiful!

I must say that repainting should be avoided whenever possible, and then
some. Besides being a tremendous amount of work, the results will never be
as good as OEM. Regrets will vary, but I have them. Best in my opinion is to
carefully clean what you have and live with it. 4 species of moss looks
great, however the drag may reduce your MPGs by about 2.

The thicker paint will cause "bolt head" issues( I got the fix for that
one)and will cover up the texture that is molded into the fiberglass. My
rookie experience said to spray "orange peel effect", so I did. When
finished i took it all to the paint shop where I had the body painted. The
owner came out and the very first thing he said was Oooooh, Aaaaah Orange
Peelllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll !

Good luck