I need a body man. For car bodies.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
06/17/2016 at 22:29 • Filed to: None

The vehicle in question is a ‘97 GMC Safari and the paint is falling off. I am not so worried about that, but the rust spot on the roof is worrisome. I could mask the area, sandblast it and apply spray primer. (I have access to a sandblaster.) What do Oppos think of that plan? I can topcoat it with some spray enamel that I bought that is supposed to be a match for the year, make and color.

As far as a proper repainting goes, wouldn’t that cost thousands, taking out the windows and all?

DISCUSSION (23)

ttyymmnn > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/17/2016 at 22:33

How many miles on that thing?

crowmolly > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/17/2016 at 22:40

Don’t need a sandblaster, but it will have to go down to clean metal. It’s small enough to do by hand, or maybe a strip disc.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > crowmolly
06/17/2016 at 22:42

Anything wrong with sandblasting it?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ttyymmnn
06/17/2016 at 22:43

230k-ish

crowmolly > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/17/2016 at 22:43

You might warp the metal. Don’t know if that REALLY matters in this case, but that’s up to you.

Under_Score > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/17/2016 at 22:53

As old as it is, I don’t know if it’s worth re-painting or fixing any exterior flaws. If the van runs well, that’s all that matters.

General disclaimer: I’ve driven around with giant spider webs on the bumper of my truck and I think washing a car is too much work.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > crowmolly
06/17/2016 at 22:53

Warp the metal?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Under_Score
06/17/2016 at 22:55

There are cobwebs on that van. Regularly. I am afraid of that spot rusting through and leaking water on my head.

Under_Score > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/17/2016 at 22:58

Tape! Some people down the street from me bought a 2005 (thanks to CarFax license plate check) Suburban used from a Chevy dealer, and the sunroof broke only a few months later. They ended up putting white duct tape over the sunroof spot, which wouldn’t close (the Suburban is white). Before that, they put a big blue tarp over it during rain storms.

-this space for rent- > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/17/2016 at 23:47

Rattlecan rustoleom over the bad spots and wait for a maaco sale.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Under_Score
06/18/2016 at 00:44

silicone

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ttyymmnn
06/18/2016 at 00:46

Sometimes the comments here are very helpful. Sometimes, less so.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/18/2016 at 01:20

I’m just here to point out a certain double standard on Oppo. If the lead photo were women a select few members would raise hell. Yet it’s men, so nothing has been said. :/

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
06/18/2016 at 08:38

That’s why I put it there.

I look at it this way: If you have a large tray with some marbles on it and all of the marbles are on one end of the tray because the tray is tilted that way, simply leveling the tray is not going diffuse the marbles evenly. The tray is going to have to be tilted the other way a bit to get the marbles to spread back out. But you prob’ly just envy those guys’ guns... ;o)

crowmolly > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/18/2016 at 08:47

It’s an ongoing argument if the metal gets “warped” or “stretched” if the blasting is too intense. Sandblasting is very common for body panels but there is some risk involved.

I really think sanding + wax and grease remover + primer + topcoat would be easiest and work well.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > crowmolly
06/18/2016 at 08:51

I hear you. What I wonder is whether sanding would be deep enough to completely erradicate the rust. As for warping or stretching, the other pictures show the general condition and appearance of the van, which is straight, but terrible. I just can’t live with the rust.

shop-teacher > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/18/2016 at 08:53

Yes, sanding will get rid of the rust. I’d do the same thing crowmolly suggested.

crowmolly > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/18/2016 at 08:57

Yeah, I hear you. I think I have restoration on the brain. Blast away, and if you really want to kill it you can use a rust treatment product afterward.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > shop-teacher
06/18/2016 at 09:25

Wet sanding? What grits and what type of sandpaper?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > crowmolly
06/18/2016 at 09:27

It’s going to get rattle can topcoat that’s supposed to match the year/make/color. Since it’s on the roof, and I was only reminded of the rust because I happened to be on a balcony looking down at the van, I may try the sandblaster just for the entertainment value.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/18/2016 at 11:18

*fans self* oh my the vapors

Kinja'd!!!

Damn it I need to go to the gym.....

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > CaptDale - is secretly British
06/18/2016 at 12:29

Is that Jennifer Lawrence?

CaptDale - is secretly British > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/18/2016 at 12:37

Naya Rivera