W
Wongo
One advantage of a wrap is that the paintwork underneath is protected from chips etc.
Any ‘wrappers’ recommended?
Any ‘wrappers’ recommended?
Steve39
I need to stop looking at this thread, starting to worry about the number of you that would outright refuse to buy a resprayed van even if it was done purely for cosmetic purposes by a VW approved body shop!!!
Do people feel the same about other non factory work (assuming all done professionally), so parking heater, audio upgrades, wheels, solar panels etc? Genuine question...
Do people feel the same about other non factory work (assuming all done professionally), so parking heater, audio upgrades, wheels, solar panels etc? Genuine question...
T6 CFO
Mike
Top Poster
reserves
Super Poster
VIP Member
From my personal perspective I want a Cali to be as Factory as possible, I won't even put wheels on mine that were not available from the factory for the year my Cali was made.
I guess it's from my love of the original Westfalia's, the more original the better, when I was looking at a T4 California, I'd want it to be as factory as possible too.
That said, anything that is non destructive, or can be put back, for example a new stereo I'm ok with, or something that was available from factory but not originally fitted, like a MFSW retrofit. Not sure about a parking heater, as that sounds quite a retrofit.
I honestly wouldn't worry, it's your Cali, go for what makes you happy. I've had enough enjoyment out of mine to not worry about the resale, which is something I used to worry about all the time.
I have no idea about wraps, but if it's non destructive then surely this would make the most logical sense if there's worry about resale.
ArunAlec
Super Poster
VIP Member
I would be wary of any "non VW" modifications that impact on the original vehicle. There was a relatively new Cali that some may recall a year or so back that was being sold by a VW dealer that had the roof wrapped. Obviously an immediate concern that it was to hide roof corrosion.
Steve39
Mike, I'm not talking about a wrap but a bottom half respray, using a genuine (albeit vintage) VW colour, done by a VW approved body shop (who others on here have recommended).
Respect your (and others) opinion and genuinely trying to understand why that would be problem, if say a retrofit parking heater wouldn't be.
Is it just the fear that a respray could have been done to hide something?
The respray isn't cheap, and if it would cause issues with resale I've got a difficult decision to make.
Steve
Respect your (and others) opinion and genuinely trying to understand why that would be problem, if say a retrofit parking heater wouldn't be.
Is it just the fear that a respray could have been done to hide something?
The respray isn't cheap, and if it would cause issues with resale I've got a difficult decision to make.
Steve
westfalia
For those reasons given, i would buy it especially if it was lowered.
T6 CFO
Mike
Top Poster
I probably wouldn’t have a problem as I’ve seen work done by properly authorised paint shops and it’s very good. I’m more against wraps. Push come to shove though and I would go for an original. If it’s something you really want though then go for it.
Mike
Jay20cali
The two tone Cali’s are all resprayed ...
There either full candy or grey then repainted....
Think about it robots paint the California not people, so I doubt they will go in mid process and when it’s baked off Re mask it and send it through again????
They will have set up a paint shop at plant where humans add the two tone.
i was all over one at vw Liverpool and the two tone isn’t painted inside the doors it’s masked off,so if you’re re painting it your only doing what they have done.the problem I would be more worried about is finding a vw body shop to paint your brand new 50k Cali that actually does a good job....to a uniform finish.id go wrapping and then it could be removed
There either full candy or grey then repainted....
Think about it robots paint the California not people, so I doubt they will go in mid process and when it’s baked off Re mask it and send it through again????
They will have set up a paint shop at plant where humans add the two tone.
i was all over one at vw Liverpool and the two tone isn’t painted inside the doors it’s masked off,so if you’re re painting it your only doing what they have done.the problem I would be more worried about is finding a vw body shop to paint your brand new 50k Cali that actually does a good job....to a uniform finish.id go wrapping and then it could be removed
Steve39
Good point. I hadn't realised it's only the exterior that's resprayed until I read the 'show us your two tone thread' yesterday.
Happy that I've found a body shop that will do a good job, going to use Brin Jones in Bristol, they did the respray on Wrinkly Ninjas white/turquoise van which they were really happy with.
Just waiting to finalise quotes on two different colour options (one an old T2 flat colour and one a Cali metallic).
I was a bit worried that some people whose opinions I value wouldn't buy a resprayed van. However, I am confident I can mitigate that risk by making sure the job is done properly, that I can evidence the reason for doing it, and by making the van look special. Plan to keep it for 5 years + should also help.
Thanks to everyone for commenting, I think the majority view was don't do it or go for a wrap...but just going to ignore you all anyway
This has made me go through a detailed thought process and consider all the the pros and cons, which is what I wanted.
Might be a little while before it gets done but will post pics to see what everyone thinks of it!!!
Steve
Happy that I've found a body shop that will do a good job, going to use Brin Jones in Bristol, they did the respray on Wrinkly Ninjas white/turquoise van which they were really happy with.
Just waiting to finalise quotes on two different colour options (one an old T2 flat colour and one a Cali metallic).
I was a bit worried that some people whose opinions I value wouldn't buy a resprayed van. However, I am confident I can mitigate that risk by making sure the job is done properly, that I can evidence the reason for doing it, and by making the van look special. Plan to keep it for 5 years + should also help.
Thanks to everyone for commenting, I think the majority view was don't do it or go for a wrap...but just going to ignore you all anyway
This has made me go through a detailed thought process and consider all the the pros and cons, which is what I wanted.
Might be a little while before it gets done but will post pics to see what everyone thinks of it!!!
Steve
Moakesy
Moakesy
VIP Member
Think you’ve made the right choice. With anything you do, you can find someone who wouldn’t.Good point. I hadn't realised it's only the exterior that's resprayed until I read the 'show us your two tone thread' yesterday.
Happy that I've found a body shop that will do a good job, going to use Brin Jones in Bristol, they did the respray on Wrinkly Ninjas white/turquoise van which they were really happy with.
Just waiting to finalise quotes on two different colour options (one an old T2 flat colour and one a Cali metallic).
I was a bit worried that some people whose opinions I value wouldn't buy a resprayed van. However, I am confident I can mitigate that risk by making sure the job is done properly, that I can evidence the reason for doing it, and by making the van look special. Plan to keep it for 5 years + should also help.
Thanks to everyone for commenting, I think the majority view was don't do it or go for a wrap...but just going to ignore you all anyway
This has made me go through a detailed thought process and consider all the the pros and cons, which is what I wanted.
Might be a little while before it gets done but will post pics to see what everyone thinks of it!!!
Steve
I never understand people who buy something then don’t use it much to protect it for when they sell it. Are they the owner or caretaker?
Follow your heart and enjoy the choice you’ve made, safe in the knowledge you’ll make someone equally happy when they buy it off you.
And post pics when you’ve had it done!
M
Martin Knight
Hi Steve, If it helps we had exactly the same dilemma. Loved the two tone, but personally wasn't a fan of any of the factory option colours. We had our bottom re-sprayed on arrival by the dealer so they organised and approved the work.
Despite reading the 'wouldn't buy' comments above I don't regret it for a second. Love the colour and not even thinking about selling for a long time (had our last T4 for 12+ years) Have attached a couple of pictures for you.
Despite reading the 'wouldn't buy' comments above I don't regret it for a second. Love the colour and not even thinking about selling for a long time (had our last T4 for 12+ years) Have attached a couple of pictures for you.
Ksar-el-kebir
When I got mine, which is silver, I saw it at Robinson’s at Peterborough. It had everything I needed except a thetford toilet and a ladder to get upstairs (I won’t see 66 again!)
I’m happy with the colour preferring to spend what little money on trips to Morocco, my favourite country I’ve been visiting since 1976.
Steve39
Hi Martin, thanks for taking the time to post (and include some pics).
Your van looks brilliant and that blue really gives it a camper look.
Definitely boosted my confidence that we're doing the right thing.
The factory two tone colours are a shade or two darker than we wanted. Might have gone for white (or silver) and Acapulco Blue but that wasn't an option.
The Acapulco is still in the mix but to be honest I think we will go VW Neptune Blue. We love the colour, a friend had an old van in Neptune many years ago and I swore I'd have one someday, and it's a 1973 colour (my 45th birthday this week).
Steve
Steve39
Thanks Moaksey, don't worry there will be pics, lots of then I expectThink you’ve made the right choice. With anything you do, you can find someone who wouldn’t.
I never understand people who buy something then don’t use it much to protect it for when they sell it. Are they the owner or caretaker?
Follow your heart and enjoy the choice you’ve made, safe in the knowledge you’ll make someone equally happy when they buy it off you.
And post pics when you’ve had it done!
Cwoods1405
Good for you going with what makes you happy. I’m not sure that I agree with the comments about it affecting resale. They hold their money and sell well so why worry. There are also people out there who like having something different especially where VW vans are concerned. As for the issue about “whats it hiding” I would say that most vehicles have paintwork at some stage in their life for one reason or another. Most people accept that.Good point. I hadn't realised it's only the exterior that's resprayed until I read the 'show us your two tone thread' yesterday.
Happy that I've found a body shop that will do a good job, going to use Brin Jones in Bristol, they did the respray on Wrinkly Ninjas white/turquoise van which they were really happy with.
Just waiting to finalise quotes on two different colour options (one an old T2 flat colour and one a Cali metallic).
I was a bit worried that some people whose opinions I value wouldn't buy a resprayed van. However, I am confident I can mitigate that risk by making sure the job is done properly, that I can evidence the reason for doing it, and by making the van look special. Plan to keep it for 5 years + should also help.
Thanks to everyone for commenting, I think the majority view was don't do it or go for a wrap...but just going to ignore you all anyway
This has made me go through a detailed thought process and consider all the the pros and cons, which is what I wanted.
Might be a little while before it gets done but will post pics to see what everyone thinks of it!!!
Steve
I was thinking of doing the same but was concerned about wrap being scratched revealing the colour underneath. Can you let me know how you get on with the paint shop ( if you go ahead) as I wanted someone that does a tidy job and is local to Somerset
P
PeteS
I would wrap it. The first reason is that you can always removed the wrap before selling it so hopefully it won't be a difficult vehicle to sell later on. Ask any VW dealer about the Generation 6 Caravelles the red and white ones they had to sell and most will tell you that they heavily discounted them to sell them on. At the time I was looking for a Caravelle and the discounts where £10000 and one dealer I spoke to said they where looking a respraying one for a customer. Personally I think the red and white camper van looks good but for some reason it does not suit the Caravelle. Also the wrap does offer a bit of protection from stone chips. A knew a chap who ran a small fleet of vans that he had wrapped in this company colour scheme. At the end of the three years he removed the wrap and the paint was near prefect and he thought that the resell value was better due to the paint condition. If you are wrapping the get the bonnet done as I find I get a lot of stone chips there.
samdb
Most of us are in for long term ownership, so I think customisation is all part of the fun. That said, like Mike, I’m a fan of the ‘factory look’ so I like to keep it as close to original as possible. I looked into wrapping, and even put a deposit down with Dare Wraps (Shepperton), but my van has been ceramic coated so it’s not possible. It was going to cost £600 all in. Maybe I’ll go the respray option one day - find a good body shop and it should be indistinguishable from factory. Looking forward to seeing the pics!
Bello
I would buy a resprayed, if it’s not totally hideous of course.
.
Taff7996
VIP Member
Blue juice, possibly going down the wrapped route, could you give me some feed back on the wrap on your van, wear fading, scuffs, scratches etc
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