Reflex Silver T28.....First van build

[timthetinyhorse]

Just bought my first van. T6 Trendline. It’s a nice clean low miles example that’s just been off fleeted by a local company.

Plans are bulkhead out, side windows, insulate and replace the ply then carpet. No conversion as I vary bikes and surfboards regular.

Exterior wise it needs lowering and a set of wheels. I picked up a 16 set of highline alloys with good tires so threw those on for now.

Few pics of it so far.

Collection day

Paint decontamination….still some tar spots to deal with then it needs cutting back with the DA but looks a lot better than it did

Quick foam and was before a little treatment with AF spray wax for a very basic level of shine and protection until I have more time

Clean and dry looking a little better than it did

 

[DaveD]

Welcome, congratulations and well done!
That's a nice looking van, a blank canvas to do whatever you want with it.
You've already made a good start with a paint decontamination, the fun has just begun!

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Welcome, congratulations and well done!
That's a nice looking van, a blank canvas to do whatever you want with it.
You've already made a good start with a paint decontamination, the fun has just begun!

Thanks Dave,

Yeah loads to be on with now, i have had a few different projects in the past, Corrado VR6 and 16v, Mk1 GTi etc all modified so not scared to make some changes.
The paint needs some real work as its lived its life without much washing etc but thats just a few days work.
About to order my side windows and then the real fun starts.

 

[T6ChrisO]

Welcome along, I get my first T6 in 10 days

Enjoy the project!

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Welcome along, I get my first T6 in 10 days

Enjoy the project!

Thanks man,

Hard to know where to start with these things but will keep this thread updated.

Enjoy yours when it arrives.

 

[SamD]

Nice van!

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Tomorrow is a big day and i should have in my possession the following;

Kiravans 4-Way Stretch Carpet Lining Premium Bundle in Graphite
Thermal Fill Insulation 35mm
Twin Fixed Campervan Side Windows Bundle VW T5 / T6
VW T5/T6 Barn Door Threshold Trim Cover

Also had a rear bumper protector arrive today in body colour to literally cover the badly scraped bumper

 

[Bigsidavies]

Use a nibbler to cut out the panels when you do your windows. No sparks and a perfectly smooth cut edge that requires no filing or fettling.
You do need to ‘adapt’ the nibbler attachment so that it cuts flush with the interior frame edge.
If it’s something you are going to have a go at them drop me a message.

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Use a nibbler to cut out the panels when you do your windows. No sparks and a perfectly smooth cut edge that requires no filing or fettling.
You do need to ‘adapt’ the nibbler attachment so that it cuts flush with the interior frame edge.
If it’s something you are going to have a go at them drop me a message.

Cheers dude, my pal used to have a conversion business so have a bit of support there but i love the idea of no sparks and a flush edge so will look at a nibbler

 

[Dave A]

Just bought my first van. T6 Trendline. It’s a nice clean low miles example that’s just been off fleeted by a local company.

Plans are bulkhead out, side windows, insulate and replace the ply then carpet. No conversion as I vary bikes and surfboards regular.

Exterior wise it needs lowering and a set of wheels. I picked up a 16 set of highline alloys with good tires so threw those on for now.

Few pics of it so far.

Collection day
View attachment 145004
Paint decontamination….still some tar spots to deal with then it needs cutting back with the DA but looks a lot better than it did
View attachment 145003View attachment 145002
Quick foam and was before a little treatment with AF spray wax for a very basic level of shine and protection until I have more time
View attachment 145005
Clean and dry looking a little better than it did
View attachment 145006View attachment 145007

Welcome plenty to look forward to. Don't forget to join Team Reflex Silver.

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Welcome plenty to look forward to. Don't forget to join Team Reflex Silver.

On it

 

[Neilfenstein]

Hi, nice van.
I did the same started with a blank canvas and added wheels, lowered etc.
welcome to the club and good luck!!
Quick question where did you get the body colour bumper protector? I’ve only seen black or stainless.

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Hi, nice van.
I did the same started with a blank canvas and added wheels, lowered etc.
welcome to the club and good luck!!
Quick question where did you get the body colour bumper protector? I’ve only seen black or stainless.

Got it from here silver bumper protector , I'm not sure how well it fits etc as not fitting until the interior work is complete but it looks good on the face of things

 

[Neilfenstein]

Got it from here silver bumper protector , I'm not sure how well it fits etc as not fitting until the interior work is complete but it looks good on the face of things

Thanks for that!!

 

[Roberts83]

Nice wheels dude, just brought my first van too, goes like a dream.

 

[timthetinyhorse]

So many many things arrived today! Very excited to get started on this now! Got my pal booked in to help with window fitting week after next (half term next week) then can start lining etc!



Other new arrivals include my sons first custom board so could really do with the wind dropping off so we can get it in the water! Some pics of it for anyone who is interested.

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Made a start on the back of the van yesterday, got all of the ply removed (not as easy as I thought due to the fact some resin had been spilled and gone under the ply then the half a bin bag of damp plaster dust that was under also) but deffo feel like things are moving along now.

Before;

Old broken filthy ply



Sample of the resin that was all over the front area and under the ply! Rock hard!


Damp compressed plaster dust.



Major cleanup required, more dust that when we renovated the house .



All the trim clip type bits full of cement dust that’s gone hard and seal full of the stuff. That was a big job.



Moss growing top of rear door



After;

Still a long way to go but deffo almost ready to get the windows in then start insulation etc.



Some progress on the door seal area and threshold clips. These will need fully cleaning out for the full length one to go on.



Moss cleaned off! Much better!



Going to try rebadge the rear if I get a chance today…..see how the day pans out

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Today was fit side window day



Got it all done before the rain arrived with the help of a mate who has done all this before! Sound dead and insulation next!

 

[SamD]

doing well with the van, i dont think i could do the windows!

 

[timthetinyhorse]

doing well with the van, i dont think i could do the windows!

It’s not all that bad to be honest! I had a mate help who has done it before so that have some confidence.
The big learning is to make sure you cover the rest of the van body to prevent the sparks settling on the paint! Had to do two wounds of decontamination to get them out of the paint the next day once the bond had fully cured! Pics to show the contamination levels!

First session



2nd session