Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2015 16:37:04 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Where to get a decent paint job? (long)
In-Reply-To: <CAOBs5F55ot3VpMdQpyjmKCaQ=LTomNL+KEeEjHKySq+OD3kqBg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Too much work, cord is easier, but you can try. It’s an old school trick because I don’t think windows have been installed with rubber like this since the mid ‘90s! They are glued in and flush with the body for better aerodynamics now.
Stuart
From: PB [mailto:pbrattan@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2015 12:19 AM
To: Stuart MacMillan
Cc: Vanagon Mailing List
Subject: Re: Where to get a decent paint job? (long)
Stuart, great idea about lifting the window rubber. I wonder if bamboo barbecue skewers would work to create that little gap between the rubber and the metal.
Patti
On Wed, Apr 29, 2015 at 2:19 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
It's all about the prep.
If you are not removing all the windows, try an old school trick before you drop it off. Get some cotton cord about 1/8" diameter and use a plastic knife to lift up the edge of the window rubber and stuff that cord under it. It will lift the rubber (unless it's hard as a rock) off the body preventing that hard paint edge that often starts to peel after a paint job. It also makes sanding and masking easier, and allows the paint to come up under the rubber a bit.
Tape one end of the cord to the window for pulling it out later, and pull it out by pulling towards the inside of the window.
If you are painting the top too now is a good time to remove the seals for painting and get new ones. You can take off the front part and they can paint it on a rack. You'll eliminate another hard paint edge. Get new SS screws to re-install.
If you do some of the prep like this, you'll likely be happy with the job. But if you have rust under the window rubber, you should remove the window and clean it all out first.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of PB
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2015 12:45 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Where to get a decent paint job? (long)
I've been asking around about the cost of a paint job. The first body shop
I asked told me it would cost $7,000 and suggested that I try Maaco, so I
went to 2 Maaco's - only about a mile apart!
The first guy told me that all I needed was their basic paint job at a cost
of $1,300, including fixing a small dent at the front driver side signal
light area. About 6 years ago my husband took his badly dented 1996 Camaro
there and was very pleased with their work, service, and pricing.
As I was arriving at the SECOND Maaco, a beautifully painted 2-tone car
with a graphic design on it was leaving out the driveway. In the shop there
was a beautifully painted red and white VW Camper pop-top BUS that they had
just restored. He suggested their best paint job at a cost of $2,000,
including color, sand, and buff.
I don't mind paying an extra $700 if the quality would is greatly superior
to the econo job. Neither of the guys tried any hard sell tactics, and took
their time explaining and answering all of my questions.
Does anyone have experience with Maaco or any other "econo" paint places?
I can't do any prep by myself, and not willing to pay several $,$$$'s.
Description of Maaco basic paint jobs
<http://www.maaco-vannuys.com/auto_paint.html>
Maaco Platinum Paint Job
<http://www.maaco-vannuys-north.com/auto_paint.html>
Patti
90 Westy Automatic
Los Angeles
--
*♪♫**♥**♫♪♪♫**♥**♫♪♪♫**♥**♫♪♪♫**♥**♫♪*
If it's not on my Smart Phone, it doesn't exist...
●▬▬▬▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬♥▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬▬▬▬●
--
♪♫*♥*♫♪♪♫*♥*♫♪♪♫*♥*♫♪♪♫*♥*♫♪
If it's not on my Smart Phone, it doesn't exist...
●▬▬▬▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬♥▬▬▬ஜ۩۞۩ஜ▬▬▬▬▬●