Wow, Marshall.  I am impressed and a bit = jealous.  I have always wanted to try a "professional" = level paint job like the one you describe, but have always been afraid = of the work involved.  It must be an incredibly satisfying = feeling!

Now you'll be getting extra exercise every time you = park somewhere, because you'll be parking at the FAAAAARRRRR end of the = lot in those distant end spots.  Just another added benefit of = pristine paint.  :-)

Can't wait to see pictures.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.C= OM]On Behalf
> Of Marshall Ruskin
> Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2000 5:05 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Painted the "Iron Igloo" = today!
>
>
> Hi Volks:
>
> Today was the day the igloo finally got it's = paint "shot".
> Boy, am I bushed!
>
> The job turned out totally awesome - I am so = pleased I don't
> have the words
> to describe how I feel.
>
> Here's what got shot onto the van since = yesterday morning:
>
> 1 coat of epoxy primer
> 2 coats of high fill primer
> 1 black "guide" coat
> 2 coats of acrylic urethane enamel (3 parts - = paint, reducer,
> hardener)
>
> I would say, conservatively speaking, that 95% = of the time
> was spent on
> surface prep. Ever see that movie "The = Karate Kid"? That's
> what it's like to
> paint a van.
>
> To make this concept of hard work more = concrete, consider
> that the entire
> black guide coat was wet-sanded OFF with 320 = grit wet/dry sandpaper by
> hand - with lots and lots of water.
>
> (I could see my own reflection, IN THE = PRIMER!)
>
> It will take 6 - 8 weeks for the paint to = completely cure -
> before I can wax
> it. I'm not even going to install the rear = window untill
> Friday afternoon.
>
> I have a whole lot of respect for the = bodyshop/painting pro's
> - that's for
> sure.
>
> What a tough way to earn a living. Tomorrow I = go back to
> work, which is a
> vacation compared to how hard the last two days = have been.
>
> I've taken some pictures of the process, by the = way.
>
> Marshall Ruskin
> 84 Westy "Iron Igloo"
> Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
> Founding Member of "Vanagon's = Anonymous"
>