Camper Restoration novice HELP

Discussion in 'Restorations' started by DysonVW, May 14, 2019.

  1. Long post alert - help required!

    We’ve owned a 1973 t2 Campervan since 2009. My husband drove around the USA in it and then imported it and it’s since sat in a garage in desperate need of some TLC. We’ve actually spent about £5k on welding and making it road worthy so far and it can and does drive legally now. It’s a little unreliable though and there is a slight issue with the engine that will need fixing. We’ve started stripping the inside and although it does have some seats, it’s not completely how we want it and is just sufficing for now.

    Our aim is to actually be able to utilise the Campervan as a Campervan. We planned to do it up ourselves but I’m now pregnant with no2 and my husband is all consumed by work. I’m yearning to get out and and spend weekends in it or even just be able to drive in it comfortably would
    Be nice. I’m at the point where I can’t wait for us to do it up ourselves any longer - we don’t have the time or the expertise.

    So what I’m basically asking is what is the best way to go about getting it done?

    We’re talking everything that comes after making it road legal, including bodywork etc. We own loads of the parts we need to get it going too I should add.

    Are we better finding a specialist and paying them a fortune to do it quickly and efficiently? Or do we locate an individual who we can basically pay to do the job we should be doing? Does anyone have recommendations of companies or individuals that can help us?

    We’re happy to pay out for it, it’s wasting our money sitting on the drive being insured and not moving anyway. But we would prefer to do it on a budget, maybe at a slightly slower pace (but not painfully slow) and have a DIY job. It will be a family van so top quality is not essential nor desired.

    Happy to post some photos if anyone can help. Just need some guidance and recommendations so I can fulfil my need to live the camper life with my babies

    Thanks in advance
     
    scrooge95, Ermintrude and Bulletooth like this.
  2. bernjb56

    bernjb56 Supporter

    Whereabouts are you?
     
  3. Sorry uploaded now :thumbsup:

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    Last edited by a moderator: May 14, 2019
    Jack Tatty, Coco and Bulletooth like this.
  4. Berkshire!
     
  5. Coco likes this.
  6. Sproggy4830

    Sproggy4830 Supporter

    I might suggest,but given your current pregnancy may not be good today but . It seems you have the basics . Scrounge some wood. Fit a bowl. A small gas bottle cooker and try it out camping for a few weekends . You may find it's not for you .
    If it is for you then you will have an idea of space needed and what will or won't fit in .
    I bought a b and q kitchen base unit and doors. A scrap piece of wood for worktop . It's been used 5 years and we don't need anything else
    But all space is taken up with bedding and silly led lights and fluffy stuff and rubbish with picture's of splittys on. But it does for us

    Ps.. someone has fitted your steering wheel on the wrong side.
     
    Jack Tatty and art b like this.
  7. Yep this is the advice we need in regards to interior. We’ve decided we’ll get the outside sprayed professionally and try to clean the interior up ourselves - so the self build stuff may suit us actually.

    Haha you’re telling me, my husband’s choice...

    We’re probably going to get the kitchen part as a separate piece in an awning - TBC - but we want to maximise space within the van for various reasons. Mainly so that it can be used day to day as a car if we want. As I say, TBC so will keep what you say in mind! :thumbsup:
     
  8. You would be wasting your money (in my opinion) getting a proffessional spray job without addressing the rust lurking under most of your body panels. You could spend a weekend with a wire brush removing the worst of the rust and then paint it yourself - Rustoleum with a roller is quite popular and easy. This would tidy it up no end without costing the earth so you can use the van. Just a thought :thumbsup:
     
  9. I wouldn't respray, an afternoon with a DA and some cutting compound will suprise you
     
  10. My stance as always on here is cost. Unless you have a bottomless pit of money to throw at it, think carefully what you actually want.

    You feel the van is wasting money sat on the driveway unused, but in fact its only costing you pennies to just insure. Paying someone to restore the van could cost many thousands which you would have to fund and manage and you could get taken for a ride by unscrupulous 'restorers'.

    If you really want to keep the van and do it up yourself, you would need lots of time to work on it and learn all about it.

    It seems to me your objective and dreams are to live the camper lifestyle with your kids.

    With this in mind maybe you would consider selling the van as it is and buying a non vw camper, such as the Mazda Bongo which are inexpensive, modern, lots for sale and easy to drive and any garage could service it. The money you would have spent restoring the vw could buy you a Bongo with cash left over.
     
    Coco likes this.
  11. Ok yes I understand; we are planning on sorting that rust out so sounds like if we do so properly, it might be worth the pro respray - I guess we need to decide what’s most important to us. It currently has a home respray, done 10 years ago and I feel like if we’re going to do it (the rust) we should get the body done properly so we don’t need to do it again. Food for though - thank you! :)

    DA? Novice here so struggling (tried google but a bit vague) ;) we would consider doing it ourselves, but will also pay to get it done... so much indecision I know!
     
  12. No probs. It stands for Dual Action car polisher.
     
    Bulletooth likes this.
  13. DA is just a power sander/polisher. You can polish out a lot of the oxidised paint and get back to a nice shiny deep colour. Then use and enjoy your bus...
     
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  14. DA= dual action sander/polisher. A fresh sprayed bus (properly sprayed) will cost thousands then you'll never use it for fear of scratching it, just get it used then slowly add to it as time/money are available

    "It'll shine like a diamond in a goats ass" as Richard Rawlings says
     
    Valveandy likes this.
  15. We would love to do it up, but time is not our friend here and we also want to use it. We passionately love our van. We’ve spent thousands on it already and although yes, we want to camper lifestyle for the family, it is a project we are willing to try to do.

    However, a short term payout of a lump sum of money is something that appeals for our situation at present. It’s a toss up that I am utilising this forum to help us decide the best way to go about this. Maybe we won’t go down that route and we certainly won’t be selling out the van to camp. We can get a tent way cheaper.
     
    scrooge95 and Ermintrude like this.
  16. nicktuft

    nicktuft Supporter


    Said from the heart..
     
    mgbman and DysonVW like this.
  17. Do you (or anyone) have any recommendations of a particular one? Maybe another google jobby!

    We’re seriously considering this now - thank you

    It looks more like a goats fart right now but we actually agree with the scratching so wish us luck!
     
    Ermintrude and scrooge95 like this.
  18. As you have decided to keep it and do the resto yourself, good on you. Personally I would check out the brakes first and splash some cash on renewing parts needed, so when you do drive it out you will be confident it will stop and be safe.

    The rusty stuff and paint comes second.

    Re paint, you may have picked up on the trend to hand roller and brush on Rustoleum Combicolor metal paint, which is cheap and fun to do. I would not spend a small fortune on a professional paint job. Lots on the TLB forum about Rustoleum.

    Good luck with your project and above all, have fun doing it.
     
    nobayinhell likes this.
  19. davidoft

    davidoft Sponsor

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