I'll finally be able to travel longer and more often in my little poptop - Driftaway Little Robin Mini . Looking at it with fresh eyes, as its over 10 years old now, it's starting to look a little scruffy. I'm going to hopefully get a decent rear door fitted with security screen as well. Could I please have suggestions as to how I can brighten up the outside of the van so it will last longer and I can be really proud of how it looks. It needs to be stuff that is fairly simple but I can use the elbow grease. Types of stuff to use to clean up stuff please.
Gerty Dancer said
12:13 PM Feb 14, 2011
Marvelous what a good clean and polish can do...also good for the (old) muscles.
If its fiber-glass you'll need a different product from a Metal van?
denninelli said
12:27 PM Feb 14, 2011
Well I know to use WD 40 to help clean the metal walls. The white handles are gone all grey. Carb soda is getting a little bit off. Is there something better to try or should I just get new handles? I've never painted the towbar. Is spray can paint or brushing it on better? What about spray paint making a bigger mess? Things like that.
Happywanderer said
12:34 PM Feb 14, 2011
Firstly with the towbar, sounds a bit old. Give it a good going over with a wire brush before painting it with a proper metal paint. The guys at bunnings are very good at giving you the right info.
denninelli said
12:51 PM Feb 14, 2011
Yeah, what would we do without Bunnings? Luckily we have them here.
Cruising Granny said
06:43 PM Feb 14, 2011
It sounds like the van may need a good going over for safety measures as well as cosmetic appearance.
The wire brush scrub is vital on the A frame.
I painted cold gal on my A frame with a brush, to avoid mess. Otherwise if you use spray you will have to lay a sheet or poly tarp down, but there's always overspray if you're not in a shed.
Wash the outside of the body with normal car wash, check all the seals around the window and door frames, and the vinyl and seal on the pop top.
If the paint is still in good condition a car polish will spruce it up. If it's looking a bit more bedraggled a respray is the only way to scrub it up. You can then have stripes applied as a personalised, finishing touch.
Then there's the brakes, wheel bearings, and all electrics, including the tail, brake and indicator lights, as well as the clearance lights.
Safe and happy travels.
blaze said
07:01 PM Feb 14, 2011
Happywanderer wrote:
Firstly with the towbar, sounds a bit old. Give it a good going over with a wire brush before painting it with a proper metal paint. The guys at bunnings are very good at giving you the right info.
I think bunnings would be the last place I would seek advice from, I think some of the staff would be lucky if they could read the product label on the product. I know they airnt all like it but I think if you want good info you need to go to a specialiist in the field you require. Like if its plumbing, go to a plumber shop, aircon, go to an aircon specialist. cheers blaze ps Also agree with CG, make sure all the mechanic/safety things a all spot on before making pretty
-- Edited by blaze on Monday 14th of February 2011 07:02:54 PM
denninelli said
08:07 PM Feb 14, 2011
Thanks everyone for your replies. The brakes and wheel bearings were done a couple of years ago. I do wonder about the electricals for lights etc as I notice the rubber is starting to perish around some of those external lights even though it has been stored under cover. I'm going to take it to a caravan place very soon to see about the new door, so maybe I should talk to them about some of the other stuff too. I also agree that safety is paramount. Its just that being of Scottish parentage, I would like to try simple things first myself.......
pws25 said
05:53 PM Feb 17, 2011
Gday, bunnings, yep go there f brekkie most saturdays! lol......
patrolst said
11:33 AM Feb 18, 2011
Hi denninelli. If you are putting your van in to a caravan repairer for the new door and screen it may be prudent to get them to check and repack the wheel bearings with new grease.
The outside of the van, if the paint work is in good condition I would give it a good wash with "Chemtec CT18" truck wash, mix to the right amount as noted on the directions and spray it on and let it sit for awhile until it is dry, then mix some more in a bucket and wash as you would your car then rinse off, it is amazing the difference this will make as it removes the road grime. (Chemtec CT18 can be purchased at "Super cheap Autos, Repco & Auto Barn".) At the corner moulds and around the windows brush on the CT18 and as before let it sit for a while before brushing lightly with a dish washing brush, if the sealant is real dirty this may require a few applications over time but eventually it will become cleaner.
For the vinyl on the front try "Mothers Naturally black" vinyl restorer, this should bring it up looking pretty good, but as noted before it may require a few coatings. (Can be purchased at the stores mentioned before.)
The A Frame and stabiliser jacks clean of and wire brush as mentioned by others and touch up with cold gal. This can be then painted (preferable brushed on as this will alleviate over spray) if you do decide to spray you will need to mask up the front of your van as you will be surprised where you will find over spray when you have finished. I have used "Wattyl- Kill rust epoxy enamel-Aluminium"(Can be purchased from Bunnings and most paint shops.
For the awning I use sugar soap, apply and let it sit for a while then wash with CT18 truck wash and this in the past has removed any mould spots I have had from the awning being rolled up while stored.
Trust this is of some assistance. Regards Jim
denninelli said
12:39 PM Feb 18, 2011
Cute little trailer pws25. Don't need too much to hold the necessities. My van looks like the outhouse against the big ones. I've got a Little Robin Mini - all 10 ft long and a bigger pop thsan usual.
-- Edited by denninelli on Friday 18th of February 2011 12:51:23 PM
denninelli said
12:49 PM Feb 18, 2011
Thanks patrolst. That is exactly the kind of info I needed.
Took the van to local Jayco and all they wanted to do was sell me a new van. The man in the workshop phoned me back 2 days later to say that he could not get a security door. Bummer. Will have to look further on that. There are a few caravan places close by. Thing is I need a little van to fit under the carport especially with the lower roofline of the extra pop size. I tried unhooking at the gutter and using pumper wheel to get it in and out. Didn't like having a ton of van coming down with me trying to control it. This one is only 500 kg tare. So that's why I decided to keep this one in as good a condition as possible. The door thing is a pain though. I have got the paint for the towbar and put on the 2 undercoats of Rust Guard Etch Primer. So at least I have started. Thanks once again.
patrolst said
08:29 PM Feb 18, 2011
Hi denninelli
The etching primer is very good and you are going well but make sure you leave it for 48 hours before re-coating with the required finish.
The security door- what do you have in mind? You may have to have the old door assembly removed and purchase a new door assembly complete with security door and have it installed. (These can be purchased from Camec).
Surely the is a caravan repairer in you area that can carry out this work for you. Regards Jim
denninelli said
08:37 PM Feb 18, 2011
That is what I as originally looking for. I couldn't remember the name of who made them. Because of the low pop bit I knew it would have to be cut down. There are at least two places in this town I can go to check more. Will get online to check Camec too. Nothing like doing the homework. Probably won't do the 1st coat of the Rust Guard epoxy enamel for a couple of days as its supposed to rain here this weekend. The towbar shouldn't get wet tho. And it is the aluminium colour I was sold. Thanks yet again.
patrolst said
09:04 PM Feb 18, 2011
Hi dennelli Try this link and go to doors and boots, you can see if there is a size that suits you rear entry door assembly http://www.camec.com.au/ Regards jim
denninelli said
09:19 PM Feb 18, 2011
Yep. Already been there and printed the page. Looks like there are a great many sizes. Think I just might pass by that service centre from last week and give him a printout.......evil grin. Also time to see if a son in law might be of any use - rarely is.....
patrolst said
08:36 AM Feb 19, 2011
Hi Denninelli Sound like you have it under control, you will have to post some photos of the completed project before you leave. Regards Jim
Types of stuff to use to clean up stuff please.
I think bunnings would be the last place I would seek advice from, I think some of the staff would be lucky if they could read the product label on the product. I know they airnt all like it but I think if you want good info you need to go to a specialiist in the field you require. Like if its plumbing, go to a plumber shop, aircon, go to an aircon specialist.cheers
blaze
ps
Also agree with CG, make sure all the mechanic/safety things a all spot on before making pretty
-- Edited by blaze on Monday 14th of February 2011 07:02:54 PM
Hi denninelli.
If you are putting your van in to a caravan repairer for the new door and screen it may be prudent to get them to check and repack the wheel bearings with new grease.
The outside of the van, if the paint work is in good condition I would give it a good wash with "Chemtec CT18" truck wash, mix to the right amount as noted on the directions and spray it on and let it sit for awhile until it is dry, then mix some more in a bucket and wash as you would your car then rinse off, it is amazing the difference this will make as it removes the road grime. (Chemtec CT18 can be purchased at "Super cheap Autos, Repco
& Auto Barn".)
At the corner moulds and around the windows brush on the CT18 and as before let it sit for a while before brushing lightly with a dish washing brush, if the sealant is real dirty this may require a few applications over time but eventually it will become cleaner.
For the vinyl on the front try "Mothers Naturally black" vinyl restorer, this should bring it up looking pretty good, but as noted before it may require a few coatings. (Can be purchased at the stores mentioned before.)
The A Frame and stabiliser jacks clean of and wire brush as mentioned by others and touch up with cold gal. This can be then painted (preferable brushed on as this will alleviate over spray) if you do decide to spray you will need to mask up the front of your van as you will be surprised where you will find over spray when you have finished.
I have used "Wattyl- Kill rust epoxy enamel-Aluminium"(Can be purchased from Bunnings and most paint shops.
For the awning I use sugar soap, apply and let it sit for a while then wash with CT18 truck wash and this in the past has removed any mould spots I have had from the awning being rolled up while stored.
Trust this is of some assistance.
Regards Jim
-- Edited by denninelli on Friday 18th of February 2011 12:51:23 PM
Took the van to local Jayco and all they wanted to do was sell me a new van. The man in the workshop phoned me back 2 days later to say that he could not get a security door. Bummer. Will have to look further on that. There are a few caravan places close by. Thing is I need a little van to fit under the carport especially with the lower roofline of the extra pop size. I tried unhooking at the gutter and using pumper wheel to get it in and out. Didn't like having a ton of van coming down with me trying to control it. This one is only 500 kg tare. So that's why I decided to keep this one in as good a condition as possible. The door thing is a pain though.
I have got the paint for the towbar and put on the 2 undercoats of Rust Guard Etch Primer. So at least I have started.
Thanks once again.
Hi denninelli
The etching primer is very good and you are going well but make sure you leave it for 48 hours before re-coating with the required finish.
The security door- what do you have in mind?
You may have to have the old door assembly removed and purchase a new door assembly complete with security door and have it installed. (These can be purchased from Camec).
Surely the is a caravan repairer in you area that can carry out this work for you.
Regards Jim
Hi dennelli
Try this link and go to doors and boots, you can see if there is a size that suits you rear entry door assembly
http://www.camec.com.au/
Regards jim
Sound like you have it under control, you will have to post some photos of the completed project before you leave.
Regards Jim