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Post by atouchofglass on Jan 1, 2008 11:23:12 GMT 10
Just a thought about painting vans with a good quality paints. Looking at the threads about paint jobs most lean toward using the less expensive paints. Which is logical considering the age and condition of most vans. My thought though is what if you want to do a better paint job that will last for years? Having worked with others that spray paint luxury yachts I sniffed around the paint shed for future reference. No pun intended Some of the yachts that were being painted were over 46 metres long and cost Millions. OOOhhh and did I mention they are often fibreglass  ;D ;D As a standard paint they used a marine grade paint from a company named Jotun. To find information about their product go to jotun.com.au or a marine paint supplier near you. Why would I talk about such expensive paints? Weeeeelllll having seen the results of using quality paint that absorbs the over-spray rather than leaving a frosting on the surface it seems to be a superior result. It also is harder to run and lasts for more than the recommended five years. Remember that super yachts get repainted earlier than needed because the owners have more money than you or I. OOh wouldn't that be a problem we'd all like to have.  This also leaves time for other things to be done rather than repainting yearly or every other year. That must work out similar in paint costs over five years.  perhaps??? Just a thought for those that want a better finish. Spray painting good paint isn't too difficult. It is the lower priced paints that give more trouble. The set up would cost if you bought all the gear but then you would be able to spray any timber work that needed it. Atouchofglass |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jan 1, 2008 12:35:34 GMT 10
Hi aToG Can't speak for the .....glass paint jobs, the likes of JBJ and Humpty et al are more experienced at that. But, as far as the bondy vans go, I really wouldn't say that people used "cheap" paints (guess that depends on what you call cheap). I know I use good quality proprietory brands, suitable for timber. I prefer using enamel paint, but others seem quite happy with acrylic. I only ever spray-painted one van and have vowed and declared never to do it again. The mess in my shed simply wasn't worth it. I now brush or roller paint with a mohair short nap roller, and am more than happy with the results. As far as lasting goes, I don't believe it's fair to compare boats with vans. For starters, vans are generally kept under cover. As well, vans are not exposed to the salt elements as boats are. So, yes, boats need repainting much more often than vans ever will be, especially if the boats are moored. I remember my first vintage van that I painted - a 10 ft ally Franklin egg. When I spoke to my paint specialist about the best paint to use, he couldn't go past ordinary acrylic house paint, which I tried. It looked great and wore well. Of course, any paint job is only as good as the preparation. AND, the paint is guaranteed for 10 years  Will be interesting to hear what others have to say about this topic. Ray |
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Post by atouchofglass on Jan 1, 2008 14:08:46 GMT 10
Reohm3108 wrote
"As far as lasting goes, I don't believe it's fair to compare boats with vans. "
So True,... boats endure far more punishment and that was my point. If it works well for boats/yachts then vans would last longer.
And at no point did I say "cheap paint" I said "less expensive paint". that is an indication of the cost of the marine paint I was referring to.
Having said that if your happy with your paint job that is all that counts.
Again I say spray painting isn't that hard with practice.
I am no spray painter but find the results excellent on timber work as well as metal. Depending on the grade of paint or lacquer used.
atouchofglass
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2008 18:55:52 GMT 10
This topic leads me into other thoughts.. At what stage did plywood caravan manufacturers start spray painting caravans  I thought they where almost all brushed or rolled. just like the old talawood / cypress pine boards used on the outside of so many houses up until the advent of hardiplank. I would be last one to stick to originality but i still consider Roller and brush finish more "original" or "authentic" than spray painted vans... welllllllll at least the stuff from the 40s and 50s anyway. Boats?? i have restored a few timber clinker hulled putt putt ( why not.. they are made of TIMBER) boats and a mate who is an industrial spray painter has sprayed them with 2 pack acran paint .. from memory i think he used something called 600 series. It hangs on well and gives a smooth gloss finish. If anything stuffs up under the paint and starts to blister the paint expands and doesnt split open. I sound like i am contradicting my thoughts about what you should use on timber ...... but boats and vans are two different kettles of fish. Reddo |
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Post by atouchofglass on Jan 3, 2008 5:49:54 GMT 10
Which leads to another off the thread thought
Does anyone know when caravan manufacturers stopped producing bondwood/plywood caravans???
By the interest and quantity of such in V Vers they were alive and well up until the 70's.
To follow that through, what is the earliest fibreglass and earliest aluminium vans on the market?
Boats Vs caravans
Both are now manufactured predominately in Aluminium and Fibreglass. While the uses are different the materials are the same.
Unfortunately my van will rarely see a shed to protect it.
Hence the idea that if a tough paint used in marine applications was to be used on a caravan it would last longer.
Atouchofglass
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Post by cobber on Nov 9, 2008 15:34:57 GMT 10
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Post by sportsman 1 on Nov 11, 2008 9:35:32 GMT 10
Hi all,
while reading this yesterday it stuck in my mind that I thought I had read something somewhere recently.
I had a look at my 1954/55 Clipper caravans brochure and there it was:
"Paint; interior and exterior SPRAYED with mirror finish automobile Dulux, colors to your choosing. Interior finished in two colors, streamlining outside to match."
I dont know when they started spraying or if they were the first but there you are.
Interestingly Hilda has white with yellow streamlining outside but is only one color inside. I guess this was to customer order. (it does have small yellow trim behind each of the handles however.)
more food for thought.
cheers, Leigh.
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fibrelass
Junior Member
Used to have more money than brains..now have neither!
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Post by fibrelass on Nov 11, 2008 15:14:10 GMT 10
I investigated paint for boats a few years ago..there are two major brands on the market, I'll get back with the names...but both recommend brushing as the method for application..i remember being surprised..but one even came with a video and the nature of the paint ensured a smooth finish using this technique. ( I think it was something about not diluting the paint for a spray outfit..).. Currently I'm considering the thermal barrier paint for the roof of a van..how I'm actually going to reach the top is another question!!! I think one of the companies was called Norglass, but I'll have to check..cheers.  |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Nov 11, 2008 17:45:27 GMT 10
Hi all,
Re the question of when caravan manufacturers started to spraypaint their products, the Robinson family tell me that the Don Caravan Company was spraying their vans at least from the 40's (post WW2) onwards. Not sure about pre-War.
Another little piece of evidence.
Don Ricardo
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2008 18:53:34 GMT 10
Hi fibrelass. If you do decide to brush then........ To achieve a good smooth , no brush mark finish, heat the paint in the tin over a low flame ( with the lid off obviously or sit the tin in a pot full of warm water to heat the paint up. dont forget to give it a stir every so often while painting to keep the pigment up and suspended in the paint. It will also flow on smoother and dry glossier on a warm surface so try and paint from mid morning to mid arvo on a warm day. To reach the middle of the roof . Take your roof hatch off and stick your head up through the opening....Just like driving a tank. either that or lay on the roof of a carport and get someone to gradually drag the van out from uner it as you paint it ;D ;D ;D ;D Said it before.. say it again......Oil based enamels either rolled on with a short napped roller or brushed on as per above in a cross hatched manner and finally "laying off" with the brush. Which basically means not pressing down on the brush when making the final pass across the surface with the brush. The lighter you drag the brush across on the final stroke ( go with the grain if ya ever decide to paint timber) the less brush marks you will leave in the paint surface which equals a smoother finish. Sounds old school compared to spray painting ... and it is. ...... but in my opinion you are less liable to stuff up compared to spray painting. And as Ray says ... dont have half the mess to clean up in the shed or in the spray gun and pot. As atog says.... spray painting is an aquired art that you can only get better at with practice. Obviously it is the accepted way in this day and age for painting mass produced products. The choice is yours. Just remember... its all fun. Reddo |
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Post by yellowuki on Nov 13, 2008 6:37:51 GMT 10
I am a bit (no wait, A Lot) of a novice when it comes to painting bondwood caravans, but I'm in the middle of my first restoration and I've found the way my Grandad suggested to be quite sufficient for a good finish. I'm removeing the old paint with a heat gun, two acrylic 3in1 undercoats and two Solaguard top coats, full gloss applied with a fine roller and the bits I've done look brand new! ;D
Yellowuki
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Post by atouchofglass on Nov 13, 2008 6:52:16 GMT 10
Greetings All
When starting this thread I was looking for information on what others had used and how they applied the product to their vans
Apart from feeling a little like a pork chop in a synagog, the information that followed here has answered the question I.M.O
Bondwood vans will easily cover well with good preparation, enamel paint and good technique for application.
Fibreglass on the other hand would do better with good preparation and spraypainting.... be it with a marine grade or automotive paint.
Still needing good technique to apply
Aluminium vans....?
Possibly spray-painting
Anyone with an aluminium van out there care to give us some insight with their experiences?
In many ways it is back to the old saying "Horses for Courses"
Cheers
Atog
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Post by matches on Dec 20, 2008 21:29:55 GMT 10
i may be totally off but wouldn't gelcoat give a nice deep shine and plenty of protection and strenth to a glass van? its what i've always used on boats/ trailersailers and it looks spectacular.
just my 2c
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Post by atouchofglass on Dec 20, 2008 22:30:11 GMT 10
Hey Matches
Yes Gelcoat gives the ultimate finish and if there was a way of applying it post production I'd use it......
But ...... Sadly ..... there isn't
Gelcoat is laid into a prepared mould and the resin and fibreglass are laid afterward. each layer on the previous until it is at the required thickness.
Then the mould and fibreglass whatever are seperated.... voila ... a new fibreglass whatever complete with a high gloss finish.
The main difference between Gelcoat and Flowcoat is that Gelcoat can have resin and fibreglass laid straight on it without sanding or scuffing of the surface. Flowcoat has to be sanded so the next layer will bond with it.
Flowcoat is generally used post production.
Flowcoat is usually applied with brush and is quite thick.... leaving brush marks
If it is applied by gun it is a special set up .... as far as I know
The caravans being as thin as they are, flex and eventually crack the gelcoat if there is a lot of flex.
The cracks are generally hairline but still not visually nice.
So the alternative to gelcoat, used by the marine industries is to repaint using Jotun or similar high grade paints....
Looks like I will be using a good grade of two pack automotive paint... most likely in April all going well.
Cheers
Atog
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Post by matches on Dec 28, 2008 22:23:04 GMT 10
no worries ATOG, thanks for the clarification. and i bet the special setup for flowcoat would cost a fortune? with the knowledge you have just given me a high quality 2 pack (like house of kolor) would do the trick.
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;D ;D
perhaps??? 
