DONS AWAY

[galaxy65]

Hi all, I see every one has got all there projects in full swing. I thought I would escape from the Don and show you a sneak preview of what I have been up to. The inside of the van is as it was when it was new back in 1957 less the odd mark here and there.I thought I'd show you the bath, what a classic. She still has never been on a holiday and only been away from a shed when going to a new one. Never spent a minute in the rain as I know all about the history of her. I will soon change that I'm hanging out to get her out and about. The paint on the outside however has cracked over the years so I have decided its time. All the paint has finally been taken off, now the job to prepare her. I think I'll use a roller. I was told by someone into paints that if I spray the paint it will be to glossy and won't look original and also every mark will show up. I would love some more feedback on what you think.

[will and Lyn]

;D ;D

Gidday Galaxy
that interior looks brand new what a find !!!!
Im thinking that you should give up vintage caravanning and sell that don to me
What I mean to say is that it must be hard for you to find storage space for it and just think of all the hard work you will have painting the outside
its not all the fun that everyone says it is plus think what you could do with the money if I bought it from you
and colours are so hard to choose what if you painted it the wrong colour
definately something that I would love to take of your hands this very moment and think of all the petrol I can save you towing it around

What do you think Mr galaxy sir Mate buddy Cobber maayyyyt

Will
Your friendly caravan Critique
Rated from 1 to 10 Minus 9 bloody load of rubbish firewood potential I bet the tyres are bald
fire risk
My Advice

SELL IT to a west Australian

seriously what a great van on par with Jazzhows van
if not better a great piece of history congratulations

Will

[galaxy65]

Hi Will, thanks for the laugh. Unfortunatley for you between this and the Gal they are amongst a hand full of things that I would find very hard to part with. I have had this van sitting in the shed myself for over ten years now and its been a great dog house for me as I find it hard once I'm in there to want to go back into the house. No telling what will happen when I can put it on the back of the Galaxie and take off. I have always looked at it and given it great thought on how I will restore the outside. I have asked every chippy/ painter over the ten odd years that have seen it, how to remove the paint,prepare it and paint it what would they do and still to this day I'm not 100% sure, the roller or the spray gun. I'm sure it looks as though it was originaly sprayed so come on Vintage caravaners put it to a vote ROLLER OR GUN. .

[Roehm3108]

What a ripper van you have there Galaxy. I love the blend of old and new fittings (lighting). Do us a favour though - please!!!! don't paste your pics side by side............. Having to move the page sideways can become a pain in the you know where!!!!!
Question: I thought the Dons had leadlight windows. Is that not so with all of them?
After my experience with spray painting, I'd vote for roller any day.
Cheers
Ray

[galaxy65]

Hi Ray, sorry to you and all about the pictures coming up this way but it took me 1/2 an hour of trying to get the three photos to show at once, in the end I thought stuff it this will have to do. Maybe Mark can fix it for me ?. As for the windows they must have made them like this as I'm 99% sure there would not be a more original van than this one. The only thing I have put in is the radio,clocks and carpet mats to protect the original carpet. I can see the lady that originaly owned it God rest her sole put the up dated fluro in it up under the range hood. I know why she has as it seems to be impossible to get the original tubes for the ones on the roof, if any one knows where to get these I would love to find out where as I have a mate at AWM and he can't find any. I also have another thing to ask. This van has 12volts system as well as 240volt. Next to where the battery goes it has a solta 20watt ballest and a box that has Me Mack & co. steam plant equipment "fragile equipment" marked on top with some wires coming out.
Anyone have any idea what all this stuff does ?
Regards Bret.

[will and lyn]

;D
Galaxy

for the best amateur finish a roller
no doubts
no masking easy to apply great finish

Will

[Deleted]

nice interior Brett ......your van's a beauty

Only the real old Don caravans (30's & 40's) came with the leadlight windows .....they are the vans with the original round shape.

I'll see if I can fix the pix,

Cheers

Mark

[galaxy65]

"Thanks Mark".
Hi Will,
you said for the amateur look ? I belive this van deserves to be as near to original as I can get it, the painting will only take a few days where the preperation is taking me weeks, and I don't want to have to do it again. I have all the gear to spray it, over the years we have sprayed lots of cars inclueding the Galaxie. I can spray it but I'm affraid if I do it may look to shinny and maybe this won't look so good. I love the sound of using a roller as it would be so much easier, no masking, less preperation, easy to touch up, and most of all every thing else in the shed dosn't get a new paint job as well. Has any one else sprayed there van ? If so give me your thoughts and how it turned out.
Regards Bret.

[earlee]

Have you thought about a brushing the paint on the outside of the van?
A really good finish can be obtained by using a good quality brush and making sure that your paint flows. If it is cold them standing the paint tin in a bucket of warm/hot water will help it flow. Painting around different odd shapes such as old caravans is very easy with a brush whereas with a roller it is difficult to get the good coverage on all of the surfaces.
Rolling is okay but you will usually see the areas where you transition from roller to brush, assuming you cut in the edges with a brush.
Have fun,
earlee.

What a great van you have!!

[galaxy65]

Hi Earlee, thanks for the feedback. Yes I have given it some thought as I did do up the deck of a clinker timber boat once using a brush and I layered the lacker on and finished each section with the same brush stroke. This was a bit different as the work area was easy to reach and it was all flat . I think with a brush its hard to stop the paint from running. I will keep in mind the tin in a warm bucket though. What a great idea.
Regards Bret.

[bigdidda]

Bret,
Does the ballast unit only appear to be for the 12 volt supply.Could you possibly photo unit to give better idea.As for the ceiling lights my mum has the same in her kitchen (late 50's house) so will ask her where the tubes come from as i know one was replaced recently.
van interior certainly looks very fine indeed.
At least they didnt put the bath opposite the door like in a van a mate bought recently.
regards
don

[Deleted]

G'Day Bret
Love the van. Bloody bewdy mate. don't let that evil Wil from the west take your "bachelor pad " away from you.
Vote one ... short napped roller. Use oil based enamel paint for the best result. stay away from acrylics they dry semi gloss and show every hand mark that touches the surface.

Reddo

[will and Lyn]

Oh well you cant blame a bloke for tryin !!
that Bloody Reddo probably talked you out of giving me that Historical Don Van
When I posted that reply about amatuer Painting it sort of came out wrong
It was supposed to say
that an amatuer painter can get a professional finish using a roller more often than not
how easy was that!
I have got probably the largest selection of specialized spray equipment in Australia from air brushes to HVLP to airless and pressure pots because that is what I do for work specialized spraying from Kitchens to driveways to cars bridges and Roofs
however I still prefer to roll some surfaces
I sprayed My Aluminium Teadrop and rolled Ritzy(ELVIS)
and also rolled and brush painted TREVS TRAM
Why different surfaces require different applications
In all I would say if you have the room and the surface you are spraying is in absolutely perfect condition spray it
If the surface is in good to fair condition maybe a few blemishes Rolling is as good as spraying
in the main it is hard to tell the difference if the preparation is good
Billy Cork is a Spray painter and we rolled his Ali van
so there it is Bret
Im sure whatever you do it will look good

Picasso er a a I mean

Will ;D ;D

[52chevygirl]

Hi Guys
To stop shine in paint I have heard of someone using a paint flatener (additive) in the spray gun.
Might be worth a look
Deb

[galaxy65]

Hi all .
Sorry for not replying as I have been stuck up in Sydney for over the last week. I don't know if any of you saw on ebay the Jayco 25 footer with a aluminium anex in Windang, well If you did I bought it. Yes I do play around with the newer and old vans. It had to have a draw bar welded to it as it was cut off and the wheels bought and fitted. Well it was all one big nightmare with problem after problem. Finaly we sorted out most of the problems and we are back in sunny Broadford.
Thanks for all the feedback on painting as I'm keen to here from all of you that have painted your vans. I think the roller sounds like the best way.
And I also need to reply to you DON in regards to the ballest unit. It does have 12volt on it Don. What does it do ?. I will try to get some photos if you need them ?. and REDDO yes I will stay away from acrylics as I'm sure the enamel will be a lot easier to clean. And I'm glad you have told me about the short nap roller as I wouldn't have thought of that until it was to late.
Regards Bret GALAXY 65.

[cobber]

Hey Bret,

Have you got any updates on how your projects are going--is the Don for sale yet.
Cobber.