Its finally in etch prime! Woohoo

[Innuendo]

Nice to see your updates Damien. Progress is always good to see and another step closer.

[damienengland]

Thanks Innuendo. Yep this thing is finally coming together and the excitement is building now. The painter was back today and there was plenty of sanding and guide coat used. He needs to do one more sanding session and then its colour day.

[damienengland]

So i guess quite a few members on here have been through the paint stage on their projects and could comment on the excitement, but for me...today was the first time. This van has been in various stages of grey primer for nearly 12 years now, and seeing body colour on it for the first time kind of blew my mind. I keep looking at it and thinking it can't be my van...my van is grey...
Anyway to cover off this update, the painter man was back yesterday and today, with the intent to get green on the firewall...and he definitely delivered. Tonight the van has five coats of DNA Tropical Green on it and two coats of clear. I'm very happy with this and looking forward to the next steps...but for now a few bourbons are in order...a pic of course...

[Innuendo]

Very nice Damo, reminds me a lot of a show van form back in the day named "Satisfaction" owned by a mate Graeme. The green has a real punch. Although being a green van owner I know it's not a super popular colour.
She's going to look hot once done. Enjoy it mate.

[damienengland]

Thanks Innuendo. Yeah this green has come up better than i thought. I tried to get some accuracy in the pics but the camera makes it look just a tad darker than it is, probably because it was night and the led panel lighting may be affecting things. Anyway, here's another couple...

These are after all coats and clear was done
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PXL_20241018_094353697.MP.jpg

This is just after the first coat
PXL_20241018_054216351.MP.jpg

[Sandaro]

Love the colour. Deep green looks unreal on the right veh

[damienengland]

Thanks Sandaro. Actually, looking again at the pics above here...they are definitely darker than when I see it in the day. I just quickly took a shot with a work light shining at it and i think this is a bit closer. It does show a bit of gold when there's direct light on it.

PXL_20241027_064251811.jpg

- - - Updated - - -

Anyway, paint man is gonna do a flow coat across the firewall next week and then we go to the next step...engine reinstallation...then drive it to the next shop...

[damienengland]

Hello! Well the paint man came back and did his thing...so the flow coating of the firewall is done. He also finished painting the steering column and A/C box...so that's it for painting in the garage. I started bolting things back on today and the engine and transmission should be going back in tomorrow, I'm hoping that will be a good day. Anyway, couple of more pics for now...

Flow coating finished and extra bits painted as well
PXL_20241122_064859899.jpg

Bolting things back on...brakes, fuel lines, test fit A/C etc.
PXL_20241123_053508162.MP.jpg

[Innuendo]

Looking real nice Damien, piecing together again with care will give you some satisfaction.

[damienengland]

Good news...the drive train is in. I can highly recommend an engine levelling tool as its a game changer...I can also highly recommend having a mate with an engine hoist. Here's some pics...

Ready for the install...
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If this slips...its gonna be a very unhappy day...
PXL_20241124_044145166.jpg

Its in! Was never in doubt...not a scratch anywhere
PXL_20241124_060831633.MP.jpg

Another angle...
PXL_20241124_060854884.MP.jpg