Reflex Silver T28.....First van build

[timthetinyhorse]

Yesterday was a good day! Re-carpeted the roof panels that I managed to do the wrong side of a few weeks back and developed a (genius if I say so myself) solution for a 3rd set of hands using a bike maintenance stand with the head removed! Went in like an absolute dream and mega happy with the result!

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Bulkhead had to come out to fit the transporter HQ seat covers so made sense to use my left over carpet to finish it, makes a massive difference! Just need to get flooring down now.

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Been a busy weekend getting the floor in but super happy with how it’s turned out! Painted the tie down points and areas of the floor that are visible through the cut outs in the ply. Just need the vinyl to put down now! Fitted full width threshold and bumper cover also.

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Flooring down, not the best job ever but it’s not a long term solution just something until I decide what’s going down permanent.

 

[SAJO]

looking good timthetinyhorse

 

[SamD]

great work!

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Cheers guys. It’s coming together ok

Need to start getting parts together for the comfort dash and also looking at air-con retrofit at some point.

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Van has been a little tired and abused last few weeks so was time for a clean, no before pictures unfortunately but I did get some nice reflections
Decided to try Megs Hybrid Ceramic Liquid Wax as didn’t have time to do a full Dodo Juice job and fair to say I’m happy with the finish, just need some rain now to see how hydrophobic it is! Time will tell!
Anyhow now for some pictures……feels like a lot of effort for a stock panel van but that will change eventually.

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Landed a set of bargain Range Rover wheels last week so looks like it’s fine for some serious work to begin and coilovers to order!
Wheels are rough as toast so need a refurb (good project for me and Finn) so had them to the blaster to get cleaned up ready for paint!

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Some wheel progress with the help of my assistant! Wheels primed inside and out today…..couple runs to sand down once cured fully then it’s time for paint! Happy with the results so far!

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Wheels completed finally!! been a bit of an endurance task but have to say I'm happy enough with the outcome! Only thing I'm not sure of is the colour I have gone for as it has way more fleck than I expected but the dust and mess will sharp dull that down I'm sure! Not sure i have seen a T5/T6 on this style of RR wheel so be good to get some tyres on them and test fit!

First few coats of base colour onto the inner rims. Looks like the paint has shadowed here however its just the paint drying back. The end finish actually turned out really well.



Base colour onto the face of the wheel. These are a super easy wheel to paint given the spokes taper so simple to get good coverage everywhere. I'm also dusting in the outer rim as I go here and did the same with the inner.



First couple of coats of clear. Did the inner rim one day then flipped to so the face of the wheel. Again a nice simple job and the clear takes really nicely.



Few final coats of clear. You can see the gloss starting to build now over the face of the wheel! i keep forgetting to get images of the inner and outer rim as its not as much fun ha ha!#



Outside all 4 wheels polished to remove any clear coat dusting and give the final finish. The sun came out for 3 seconds so the last image really shows how much fleck is in the paint finish!!
If you look closely you will see some curb rash and light damage to the rims of the bolt holes. These wheels have had a tough life and this was a light refurb so I have not used any wheel filler on the rash etc just a simple paint to get an acceptable finish. My van is no show stopper so just wanted something presentable!

 

[Skyliner33]

Wheels completed finally!! been a bit of an endurance task but have to say I'm happy enough with the outcome! Only thing I'm not sure of is the colour I have gone for as it has way more fleck than I expected but the dust and mess will sharp dull that down I'm sure! Not sure i have seen a T5/T6 on this style of RR wheel so be good to get some tyres on them and test fit!

First few coats of base colour onto the inner rims. Looks like the paint has shadowed here however its just the paint drying back. The end finish actually turned out really well.

View attachment 170538

Base colour onto the face of the wheel. These are a super easy wheel to paint given the spokes taper so simple to get good coverage everywhere. I'm also dusting in the outer rim as I go here and did the same with the inner.

View attachment 170539

First couple of coats of clear. Did the inner rim one day then flipped to so the face of the wheel. Again a nice simple job and the clear takes really nicely.

View attachment 170540

Few final coats of clear. You can see the gloss starting to build now over the face of the wheel! i keep forgetting to get images of the inner and outer rim as its not as much fun ha ha!#

View attachment 170541

Outside all 4 wheels polished to remove any clear coat dusting and give the final finish. The sun came out for 3 seconds so the last image really shows how much fleck is in the paint finish!!
If you look closely you will see some curb rash and light damage to the rims of the bolt holes. These wheels have had a tough life and this was a light refurb so I have not used any wheel filler on the rash etc just a simple paint to get an acceptable finish. My van is no show stopper so just wanted something presentable!

View attachment 170542View attachment 170543View attachment 170545

When is it convenient for me to drop a set of Canteras off for you to do the same with. They look great.

 

[timthetinyhorse]

When is it convenient for me to drop a set of Canteras off for you to do the same with. They look great.

Cheers mate they are far from perfect but for sure will do the job and been fun doing them with Finn........If I'm honest by the time all the paint etc is bought and you factor in the time its less money to have them coated but where is the fun in that.

 

[Skyliner33]

Cheers mate they are far from perfect but for sure will do the job and been fun doing them with Finn........If I'm honest by the time all the paint etc is bought and you factor in the time its less money to have them coated but where is the fun in that.

Agreed, it was said tongue in cheek, but they they look great, including the fleck.

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Agreed, it was said tongue in cheek, but they they look great, including the fleck.

Need to get the bolts ordered now, some tyres and see how they look

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Decided the RR wheels were not what I was looking for so that’s them sold and on with the next wheel project….first few coats of high build on…..love painting wheels me!

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Been a while since the last update here!

So I finished the wheels in anthracite grey to keep it subtle.



Then finally today got some rubber fitted then the wheels on the van.




Pretty happy with the way the front wheel sits.



Likely going to need a 5mm spacer on the back.



Next it’s making a decision on lowering.

 

[Cuffy]

Chapeau sir!
I have nothing but admiration for someone who can undertake a project like this.
I have neither the technical ability, patience or the understanding other half to start a refurb/conversion, hence why we went for an oven ready van.

Cracking thread.

 

[timthetinyhorse]

Thanks @Cuffy

To be honest its nothing too complicate if you watch enough youtube and read advice on here. Its a long road though especially when things don't go perfectly to plan. I would always advise people to take the plunge and try something they haven't before though.....what's the worst that can happen.....

 

[Cuffy]

Thanks @Cuffy

To be honest its nothing too complicate if you watch enough youtube and read advice on here. Its a long road though especially when things don't go perfectly to plan. I would always advise people to take the plunge and try something they haven't before though.....what's the worst that can happen.....

Very true. I watched YouTube when I decided that I would be a plumbing guru during the 1st lockdown and managed to replace the downstairs bathroom suite and tile it.
Still no leaks and no sliding off the pan....yet!
The only trouble with YT is they make it look to simple, what would have taken a competent individual around 2hrs, took me nearly all day.

I keep going back to the THQ headlight conversion video thinking it looks relatively easy but it scares the bejesus out of me haha!