Progress Pics - Dormobile X-Over

13.10.2017

Baked a few more bits today as can be seen in the photo below:


Just a few bits left to bake.
Need to apply some more paint to the suspension parts then wait for the wind to die down so I can spray under the van and start putting the rear components back.

Cheers

Still reading updates on your progress. Great commitment. Don’t understand this baking technique. What’s the oven you use? This is probably a stupid thing to say but..... If it’s the kitchen one for smaller parts, does it affect the food taste after the process? Now you’re gonna make a joke about not putting in a pizza or something at the same time. Seriously, why the oven bake? Is it to strengthen the paint or give it a professional sheen quality or something else?

Not a silly question.
VHT paint cures when it gets hot - you would normally spray it on to components that are attached to the engine so when the engine gets to temperature then the paint cures.
In lieu of having a working engine, smaller can be placed in an oven and baked for an hour at temperature to make the paint cure.

If you don't do this, then the paint never cures so over time, it will just start to flake off

Oh, regarding food tasting different, no noticed any difference as the wife made a meat and potato pie yesterday and it was fine

Thanks Andy. As you know my bus is in the process of change. Next up is the full respray, so that’s why I’m interested. Paul (the guy doing the welding and respray) in all reality knows his onions. There’s the engine tin and various colours he’s asked me to choose in and around the engine space. So, your information is brilliant to add to my brain account of veedub knowledge. Normally I’d Google or grab one of the manuals to read up answers. But I’m in a Premier Inn with frustrating slowish internet speeds. And even though I’d love to carry my Bentley around under my arm and not leave it at home, (my wife Just raises her eyebrows and shakes her head if I suggest taking it when we’re going to a wedding). Ironic....drive a dub at the slowest pace of life re: trundling along in chilled mode and moan about internet speed. Cheers.

Aye - I know that Google and forums like these are indispensable for us 'novices' - looking forward to seeing more updates on your van!!

15.10.2017

More metal found that needed to be cleaned.
First up was the engine support bar, which was rusty, dirty and some underseal.

Before:


After:





Next up was the bottom pulley - not going to paint this as seems a waste:


A few other pieces done, such as the anti-roll bar clamps, plate that allows access to the fuel pipe, gear change rod and a few other bits and bits.
Once all these are done, will look to paint them.

Finally, put the dizzy and fuel pump on to make sure all is good - which is good :



Cheers

16.10.2017

Started on the front beam. Cruddy and spots of rust so decided to give it a good clean up to assess what I have.
Bear in mind that when I got this many years ago, I had it sand blasted then painted in Hammerite then just put back in place so the van could be moved around.
Probably done less than 1 mile in 6 years plus so surprised how badly it had fared:







After being de-gunked, it started to look a lot better:







Will clean up the rust areas (surface only) and treat to a layer of paint.

Also cleaned the crap off the steering link thingy so ready for a splodge of paint:



Cheers

18.10.2017

Front beam cleaned up and first coat of paint added:










3rd coat after waiting around 20 minutes betwixt each coat:










Tomorrow will do the same to the other side.
Also painted the steering thingy and acid bathed the relevant nuts and bolts so looking good.

Will start to paint the rest of the bits over the next few weeks so get ready to be bored shitless

Cheers

19.10.2017

3 coats of paint on the other side of the beam - almost there






Also a splash of paint on the cover that goes on the inside of the engine compartment - gives access to the fuel filler pipe:




Also splashed some paint on to the splash guards that connect the rear bumper to the corners of the body:




Plus the steering arm thingy is ready to be put back on the front beam now:




Oh, and more nuts and bolts being cleaned:


Cheers

Bit of a shocker on page 39, not what I had hoped to read! Glad to see your still cracking on with the work, I wish I was in a position to buy mine back!

Benyon said:

Bit of a shocker on page 39, not what I had hoped to read! Glad to see your still cracking on with the work, I wish I was in a position to buy mine back!

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Cheers dude.
Yea, time is ticking so may as well get this thing road worthy, use if for a bit (to iron out any gremlins) then sell on to someone who can use it as intended.
Are you totally van less now?

20.10.2017

Checked the paint tonight on the front beam and all good so installed the steering thingy:








Another coat of paint on the access hatch and the splash guards:







If I have time I will check the front cab floor as not happy with it so will need to decide what to do with it.

Cheers

21.10.2017

Today is paint day (well paint afternoon....)

Bought some Epoxy-Mastic 121 some time ago so mixed some up so brush on to suspension and other bits:




A few of the bits before painting (front bit is the engine hanger bar):



After a few hours had managed to get a few coats on most of the bits:


















Off out tomorrow but hopefully put another coat in the evening.

Cheers

Good job Andy! Will be a lot of fun to mount all the clean parts back on the bus!
Best regards
Reto

Aircooler said:

Good job Andy! Will be a lot of fun to mount all the clean parts back on the bus!
Best regards
Reto

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Thanks Reto - I think you will be right and looking forward to that part

least u will know its all sound and good for another 50+ years!

Great work and I'm also looking forward to you putting it all back together and seeing it finished.


Great work.

Myvanway said:

least u will know its all sound and good for another 50+ years!

Great work and I'm also looking forward to you putting it all back together and seeing it finished.


Great work.

Click to expand...

True about the work done - once MOT'd then still plenty to do

Thanks

24.10.2017

So - all parts painted and waiting to be put back together






This afternoon decided to dodge the showers and tackle the cab floor - lots of surface rust and poor patching (which will have to do) so I noticed some bubbling:



Quick tickle with a flap disk and here we go:




Cut out the least amount to get to some good metal and ended up with this:



Misjudged the location of the front thingy so had to weld up the cuts:



Will need grinding down. Cut a piece ready to be added in:




Light started to disappear and also the clouds thickened with a spot of rain so decided to call it a day

Will try and get this area welded in this week then will tidy up the cab floor ready for some paint..

Cheers

Saw the comment “good for another 50 years”. Seriously, these photos are so important to show future prospective buyers the work input. You’ve probably got a member clocking the post with a view to buying in the future. You’ll have to own up and say the extra amount of paint weight knocks 2 miles per gallon off the mileage ability though .

So jealous , have not touched mine for 2 weeks other than starting :lol: :lol:
Getting withdrawal symptoms :lol: :lol:
Your doing a fine job there sir.

J & P