Who'd have guessed, some googling and it seems they go in hardness purple - blue - black so black is the least rigid/harsh. TBH I thought you'd used something else because the black ones I'm used to barely mark the steel. Maybe I'll try a harsher one on my boat next time. Ref than bluey green ultra thin primer VW used, I found it's almost impossible to remove so when I got down to that I just left it. I suspect it's not a normal paint at all but some sort of acidic or electrically applied layer. Just guessing.
Yep the factory paint was the hardest to remove the other layers came off really easily in comparison. To be honest I don’t think I’ll have a lot of it to remove once I start replacing panels on the rest of the van
Started getting ready for removing the front section of roof today. So stripped off the pop top which I’m still trying to identify. Then started installing the bracing to the a pillars.
Bracing now completed. I will use timber to brace for the floor and dash once new roof in position. This will give me the option to micro adjust until all measurements are correct.
Started work on the passenger side section of the roof that meets the b pillar unfortunately my roof cut did come with the pillar for some reason they cut through the the brace and cut this side off before the pillar. So I’ve got to graft a cut from my existing brace on to the roof cut which needs repairing but is salvageable. There’s a fair bit of fabrication to get this section sorted but it’ll be worth it ( I think). I’ve also patched the last bit around the screen just needs tidying which I’ll do on Saturday.
Well the roof cut is almost ready I’ve just got to cut the outer skin of the b pillar and the outer an middle skin of the a pillars and we are ready to go. I’ve managed to rebuild the section that was missing from the passenger side brace with a section off the one that’s to be removed. Turns out they were I slightly different profile across the section but it was relatively easy to do I’m very pleased with the results.
I have just bought a few, looks like good if it can do a canal boat. Some bits of perpetual rust on cracked seams to attack ..
So yesterday was d-day for roof removal. It went better than I hoped. My frame was bang on and after a bit of trimming I got it to sit perfect all measurements were bang on and the doors now sat perfect. Very pleased with how it went and myself. Bloody hot though! Started on the welding up today but it’s just to hot so I’ve rapped up I’ll tackle that during the evenings!!! Oh the last two pics are the old roof with make do door frames!!
Started welding in the inner a pillars and the outer drivers b pillar today.then took the roof brace I made off. Everything stayed in place and the doors shut perfectly. We can now shut the passenger door with out it bouncing off the previous bodge job that was there before and it flattening your nose.
Started cutting out the remaining roof and roof supports, the previous repair was something to behold! Offered the new supports up just to see some shiny metal. Hopefully by the end of the week I’ll have new supports all round ready for the new roof sections. I even plucked up the courage to check the engine deck out. This has been covered by old ply since getting Beryl. It was a very pleasant surprise just a little surface rust.
Never seen that pressing before where the spare wheel well usually is, made me think it was a full bulkhead model but it has a walkthrough… how odd
