Art / Painted Vans

[Luisito]

I'm an artist and I've always wanted to paint (a) van(s)... for a time I was thinking of buying a classic VW and transforming it into some groovy and functional work of art, but the more I learned about VWs the less I was willing to deal with the (apparently) constant mechanical drama... So I'm going with a Delica L300 instead!

Here are some examples of the cool stuff people have done with VWs:

http://web420.com/blogs/2009/03/hippie-van/

Or check this out: http://www.reallyweirdstuff.com/

I'm now just starting to play around with ideas as to how to paint the Delica. The background is white, but that doesn't matter too much. I want to do something that is going to flow/work with the van - e.g., the way flowers and mushrooms work with a VW. Part of me wants to do a whole Japanese theme... But I'm open to anything.

Any ideas? Sightings of cool art vans? Pics? Violent objections? :)

I'm also starting to learn about how to do this from a technical perspective... enamel paints, spray vs airbrush vs. hand-brush, clear-coating, etc. Any technical know-how is much appreciated!

Here's the kind of painting I do: http://virilesoulcreations.weebly.com/visionary.html

[FredVenne]

Nice work!

Only one thing, I don’t believe this is the right crowd for this kind of art…

Don’t get me wrong, there is a bit of hippiness in us, but not the “VW” kind…

It would be cool to see an L300 with your art on it though!

Good luck!

Fred

[Luna-Sea]

Wow your art is kick-ass!
Thanks for sharing.

Right On!

[Luisito]

Thanks guys - I've been painting for about 8 years and I love it. Just had a show last night at a gallery in downtown Vic, it was a lot of fun.

I hear you that the VW vibe is very different from the Delica, even though there is some overlap... The art I'm thinking of doing wouldn't be like that hippie/flowerchild stuff. I'm not sure what would work yet, but I'll know it when I see it and I'm interested in hearing from others what they like.

If I don't find the right images/motifs and/or I don't feel inspired, I won't do it. I know it would probably affect the re-sell value of the van in a negative way (or who knows, it might even sell for MORE...), but part of me doesn't care. We're here for a good time, not a long time. If it comes together I'll go for it. Just exploring the idea for now.

[psilosin]

+100 points for usage of Trooper quote

[nxski]

I really wanted to do a hippie theme paint job on mine (I already have the peace sign on the front). Then I was thinking black with a rainbow bullbar, now I'm looking at red over black (more professional for a work vehicle). There are so many choices, good luck, I'd love to see it when it's finished!

[thedjjack]

Do not worry about the resale value as the paint job will open up a different market of buyer.

Love the hippy paint jobs.....I think the VW crowd just has more time to paint their vans as they wait for the new engine to be shipped.....

[nxski]

For comments like those we should have a 'like' button as Facebook does. Unfortunately the rest of the time that would just be annoying.

[CloudMountain]

Been thinking of that idea for my biz van.

[Luisito]

I like it - when I first saw the pic I thought it was for real!

Burning Man, huh? I've been 5 times, from Ontario no less... you can do the drive in 48 hours if you drive without stopping! Or 5 if you take your time. Burning Man is awesome... plenty of artistic vehicles there!

[BCDelica]

Your art work is fab, go for it!

Can't think there'd be anyone whom doesn't appreciate it, and original would be appreciated more so. Would think the cutsy Japanese themed art would be cliche and under appreciated, where your own work would be much more of a stand out.

Even better it's a L300 and not the L400 soccer mom version.

[Luisito]

Just bought my white L300 today... :)

[FalcoColumbarius]

Congratulations!!!
What kind? High roof (P35W), Low roof (P25W)? Exceed, Super Exceed, GLX? Crystal lite? Diesel? Will there be pictures in Member Rides?

Right on, Luisito ~ these wagons are a lot of fun. Got a name for her yet?

Falco.

[Luisito]

Thanks! My van's a High Roof P35W (no Crystal Lite) turbo-diesel... I think it is an Exceed but I forgot to ask (hahaha) and the writing on the side is a bit faded. I will put pics up - no name yet, I'll let the name come on its own. Bought it from Glen at CCAutos. I'm most happy.

So I have some ideas coming together for how to paint it... I'll post pics and sketches as they come along. :)

Question: how do you clear-coat a vehicle once you've painted it? Do I need a pro paint booth? Can you roll on a clear coat? Any info would be appreciated.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Wow! Okay, for one... Glen is a good guy to buy from as he is very good with these machines as a mechanic, he is also, as I'm sure you have discovered, a very personable guy.

If it is an exceed, &c., you would have seen the name mounted on the outside of your B pillar, as well as embroidered on the seat backs, on the fronts.... that is to say on the front of the seat backs... .... whatever.

As a painter: Are you thinking of doing murals on your wagon? If you want to go the base/clear route then you need a spray booth. Typically the base will be a polyester paint and the clear will be a three part acrylic, involving a polyisocyanate (made from cyanide) hardener. In my experience the polyester base, excellent in an airbrush is not very good with a regular paint brush, maybe straight wisps but very limited. There are new water borne bases on the market now but I cannot speak for them as I have never used them. There should be an automotive paint supplier in your neck of the woods called White & Peters at 545 David Street, go ask them and they should be able to help you. Incidentally they also have all the paint codes for the Delicas in their computers. You will find the paint codes to your wagon under a flap in the carpet between your legs, beneath the driver's seat. There is no such thing as "just white".

Other ways to paint your wagon ~ marine enamel (also known as coach finish, as in buses) or signwriter's paint. You use paint thinner with these paints, I would also consider adding a little more alkyd base to the paint to slow the setting-up time, which allows the paint to level out, making the completed project look that much more sexy. You can find this in a can of "Penetrol", the name may sound sexy but you buy it at a paint store. Google "sign painter's supplies, Victoria" and a list of suppliers will come up.

Either way ~ preparation is the most important part in a good job, it works out to roughly 80% prep to 20% painting, determination is the other 150%.

I hope this helps,
Falco.