Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

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

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

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

Right On!

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.

+100 points for usage of Trooper quote

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!

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.....

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

Been thinking of that idea for my biz van.

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!

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.

Just bought my white L300 today... :)

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.