Can the paint on this van be restored?

[citytravelfotos]

I'm wondering if the paint on this van can be restored (without having to sand down and repaint), thanks.<br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/DaveofCali/ford e-150 pictures/2013-02-17121831.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/DaveofCali/ford e-150 pictures/2013-02-17122022.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/DaveofCali/ford e-150 pictures/2013-02-17122048.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/DaveofCali/ford e-150 pictures/2013-02-17121917.jpg" class="bbc_img">

 

[citytravelfotos]

BTW, what are those spots on the fiberglass top? &nbsp;Is the paint gone from those areas with spots? &nbsp;(not the white ones, the yellowish green ones.) &nbsp;Can they be restored? &nbsp; Also, must a separate product be used for the fiberglass? &nbsp;Thanks

 

[MrNoodly]

Error - self-deleted

 

[MrNoodly]

Yeah, the white patches on the very top are where the paint is gone. That could be the fiberglass showing. If so, the sun has been eating at it.<br><br>I wonder about the condition of the seals between the van and the fiberglass top. There's some crumbly looking rubber there.[/quote]

 

[citytravelfotos]

BTW, could the hood be separately repainted itself? &nbsp;It looks like too much damage.<br><br>Anyway, all of this has me wondering if the condition of the van, despite the reassurances and the service records by the seller as to its mechanical condition, is enough to just walk away from it.

 

[MrNoodly]

It could be fine mechanically. But it has been sitting in the sun for a long time without being washed and waxed.<br><br>Yes, the hood could be painted separately, but it will just make the rest of the van look worse.<br><br>If it were my van, and I didn't want to do a complete repaint, I'd at least have the roof redone in something that seals really well. You want to protect the fiberglass so it doesn't start crumbling on you.

 

[citytravelfotos]

The question here is: &nbsp;Can a restore to an "adequately looking vehicle" be done economically? &nbsp;This is of course especially for stealth reasons.<br><br>Also, anyone here have any experience getting a paint job done on a vehicle for a low price?

 

[psytechguy]

It's too bad Earl Sheib's not around anymore!

Remember those $39.95 paint jobs? Had a friend get one in High School. It actually looked pretty good for a couple of years.

 

[Ricekila]

The only one left I know of --<BR><BR><A href="http://localgads.com/bronxearlscheib/" target=_blank rel=nofollow>http://localgads.com/bronxearlscheib/</A><BR><BR><A href="" target=_blank rel=nofollow></A>

 

[MrNoodly]

You can get an "adequate" paint job for much less than a really great paint job. The question is whether even an adequate paint job is within your budget.<br><br>Merely adequate paint jobs usually cut corners on surface preparation (sanding, cleaning, degreasing, masking, etc.) the uniformity and quality of paint application, and the final steps (clear coat, wet sanding, buffing, waxing). So you end up with bubbles, flakes, dust particles, thin spots, dribbles, paint on places you don't want it, orange peel and so on. It would look better than the van in the photos (hell, house paint applied with a roller would look better), but only you could judge whether it looks good enough for you. Go to one of the discount auto paint shops like Maaco, get an estimate and then ask to look at some of their work.<br><br>And when getting a van painted. you need to make extra sure they spend as much time on the roof as they should. Van roofs -- especially high tops -- are a pain in the butt to paint because of their height. And unless the painter is high enough to see what he's doing, you could end up with thin, spotty coverage.

 

[MrNoodly]

I've never priced them, so I don't know what they cost, but a total vinyl wrap job in a solid color might be worth investigating.

 

[Ballenxj]

I "have" priced a complete wrap on a van. They quoted me around $2K for it. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>I think you can get a decent paint job for less. Maaco comes to mind. A friend had his Vette painted there for about $1300. <br>-Bruce

 

[citytravelfotos]

More pics of the van<br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/DaveofCali/ford e-150 pictures/2013-02-17121842.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/DaveofCali/ford e-150 pictures/2013-02-17121907.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/DaveofCali/ford e-150 pictures/2013-02-17122059.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/DaveofCali/ford e-150 pictures/2013-02-17122548.jpg" class="bbc_img">

 

[citytravelfotos]

BTW, this is how a well kept exterior on a green van should look:<br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://images.gtcarlot.com/pictures/19312492.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>And this is a '97 van (compared to the van I've been showing which is a 2000 van.)

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Is it me or does the pictured paint not look to bad.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">It looks as though it would just require a cut and polish on most of it. Maybe the bonnet could be painted matt black to cut down on glare and would be cheap to do. I'd touch up the roof though if the fibreglass is showing.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[idn88]

What year is this van? &nbsp;The bleed through to the base on the top almost looks like its&nbsp;lacquer&nbsp; &nbsp;I didn't think Ford used that for decades, but GM did up to the very late 80's. &nbsp;<br><br>If its&nbsp;lacquer, its fairly easy to blend. &nbsp;So maybe repaint the top and buff the sides?<br><br>I guess it depends on how much the van is selling for. &nbsp;If it were cheap I would buff and touch up as best you could, then just live with it. &nbsp;You can usually order a matching color in a spray can from a paint place - although it won't match at this point as its too faded. &nbsp;But if you buffed the sides, blended the white spots on the roof, with a little time and elbow grease you could make it look better. &nbsp;Its never going to look new again without a complete paint job, which will cost a lot because a van is a very large area to paint and takes a lot of labor to prep.