Needed: Painter / restorer in Adelaide (for Kombi)

[pab]

Gents,

I'm finally in a position to start restoration of my Kombi, my primary goal at this stage is to have the body work and paint done to preserve it, with accessories, interior and mechanical work to follow.

I started to visit places for quotes yesterday, needless to say, this is not going to be a cheap enterprise.

If anyone here has any suggestions of someone who will do a good job of restoring the bodywork and applying paint (without necessarily getting it to Concours d'Elegance level of quality, it's still going to be a working camper afterall) who won't cost an absolute fortune around the Adelaide area I'd appreciate it. My goal is primarily to have it last another 40 years, so removal of all rust and protecting it is the most important thing.

While we're at it, I'll also be looking for a motor trimmer (for seats and door trim etc) soon as well, so any suggestions there also would be great.

Ta.

[Quincy]

Hey fellow kombiest. . . you're talking big dollars for what you need!
In my opinion, don't repaint, keep it original. Especially considering the history of your vehicle. I'd be more inclined to spend money on the engine (if it needs attention).

Is the rust bad? Can you possibly halt the spread by applying fish oil etc??

In the long run, an original paint kombi will be more highly sort after, than an expensive resprayed van. . .

My 2cents and a half chewed minty.

[pab]

Engine/mechanicals apparently needs very little work at this point.

Bodywork is still apparently still in pretty good shape (relative to other 40 year old vans), but I'm sure it won't stay that way (all the guys I talked to say they've seen plenty that are too far gone to save).

Yes, we are talking big money. The main aim here is preservation, I want to still be driving this thing around (or at least have one of my sons driving it) in another 40 years time, and unless I do the body and paint now that definately won't be the case. As far as being highly sought after, it's my van, has been since new in 1974 (at least was my Dad's until he died, then mine), it doesn't really mean anything to me whether any one else covets it, cause they can't have it Still deciding on the colour it'll be, won't be the original mustard yellow, but I haven't decided how far away from that I'm going to go.