AlanN's MK3 V6 Day Van

[AlanN]

Ive been spraying and rubbing down the bumper all day today and im still not happy witht he finish... So I had break...

I pulled the clear lamps out of the rear of the van today and they were looking a bit sad mould around the edges and one of them, mould inside the reflector.
So I placed them in a washing up bowl and gradually warmed them up with hot water. After 10 minutes in soak, they seperated quite easily, just stuck together with hot glue.
A scrub down inside and out, it was then I noticed that the backs havent been painted properly and it just so happened that I have a tin of chrome spray in the shed I could feel a refurb coming on here
I removed the burnt red lenes and fog lamp reflector and sprayed the backs and let them dry. As some of you know, I have red led bulbs fitted, as the filiment bulbs burnt the red lenses, allowing white light to show. I tested them tonight without the red lenses, they look so much better and much brighter, so Im about buy some LED fog lamp bulbs and I may even get around to fitting the indicators and new flasher unit. Let see how fussy the MOT guy is, not sure he will pass them. Red reflective tape is coming off as I should had the right ones on for the MOT. I wish I took a picture before I started, I think I prefer them completely clear, what does everyone think, or should I put the red lenses back in before I seal them up again

[rover]

They definately look better completely clear

See how it goes with the MOT, if you have an original set of rear lights you could always chuch them in the back when you go for the MOT just in case

Rover.

[AlanN]

Good idea, only takes a minute to change... I have been looking at some new cars and some of them look the same with a red reflector on the bumper... Lexus style but have coloured bulbs, some have clear leds that light red

[transitandy]

very nice

[AlanN]

Thanks Andy, shame you can see much greesey paw marks on it

[Alexhoc]

Forwhat it's worthI had completely black lights on my Astravan, with reflectors on the tailgate, and it passed MOT no problem. I did take the originals just in case but didn't need them...



I think you should go all clear too, I like red and white but only BMW style.

Edit: You can see the colored caps in this pic because the light is shining right at them, but I only had normal white bulbs and you couldn't see any colour in the dark...

[gatecrasha]

Alexhoc, yep, im doing exactly that to my transit,

(i couldnt copy AlanN's clear rear lights)

[AlanN]

Outside today and they do look good in the daylight, Im not going to seal them until the MOT, hope they dont notice the LED bulbs as they arent approved, not sure any are at the moment

[AlanN]

Alexhoc, yep, im doing exactly that to my transit,

(i couldnt copy AlanN's clear rear lights)

Why not Ive knicked everyone elses ideas on here

[gatecrasha]

affording them at the moment mate,

wanna finish paint job,
get this thing on road,

next job list is work to fit alloys,
and a rear spring de-camber to get rid of arse end in air look
home brewed side bars too

[AlanN]

Ive been offered a paint job in 2K as long as I help strip and prep up for £400 this summer, by all accounts they do it in a in a plastic tent I'll have to think about that one.
Ive found a place in Southend that sells all types of metal extrutions and pipe, they are going to let me know how much some stainless tube is for the side bars, but again that will be after the paint.
Its been snowing all morning and I wanted to do some work on the van, too darn cold... I removed the plastic trims from around the steps, found a hole the size of a finger under one of them Not much I can about that today. Put the heater on inthe shed and painted them some vinyl paint. not a perfect colour match, but better than dirt

Bottom corner section has still got to be cleaned and painted yet

[AlanN]

And a few more bits, its a shame I dont have better ones as they are a bit scuffed & scored from years as a builders van
Oh yes, I wire brushed the screws and sprayed them too

[intransit89]

And a few more bits, its a shame I dont have better ones as they are a bit scuffed & scored from years as a builders van
Oh yes, I wire brushed the screws and sprayed them too

what was your sliding door plastic step cover look like?

mine wint be going back on looks like it been ran over

might spray mine to as yours dont look bad

you know them dash board lights you buyed that was 4 leds on each bulb where was thay from? if dont mind me asking

[AlanN]

I havent taken the sliding door step out yet, thats tomorrow with any other similar bits... Its going to take some cleaning of the side step as it got cement over it, but it will look a lot better than it does now.
Yes IT89, I used the 4 LED bulbs, as the single's where too dim

[gatecrasha]

you've been quoted how much alan??

presuming you have a compressor (mines as small as you can get)
its then all down to cost of paint mate,

5 litres 2pack,
2.5 litres of hardener
and i got 5 litres of 2pack thinners too

all in for £80
(same supplier is actually cheaper mail order - i brought local from franchise - hence paid more)

beauty of transits - there real sectional regards painting
drivers side panels n door finished,
done rear doors and bonnet today
tomorrow is passenger side

(roof can wait )

even started applying some of the graphics

once i have this on the road, and the weathers warmer,
i'll flat it all back to perfection,
and apply the final laquer coats

till then,