2006 Sprinter Van
 

When I saw this tread in 2013, I thought that it might be useful someday, so I bookmarked it. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/body-repair/336425-my-%2450-paint-job.html

In April I got a 2006 Sprinter Van for about $6000 less than book value (do the math, you'll figure it out). I am converting it into a camper. I have the bed / bench platform, overhead cabinets, kitchen counter, double sink, 100ah battery and fridge installed. I have the water pump and tanks (fresh and gray), the inverter, 110 v panel, LED lights, porta-potty, and shower / bathroom purchased, but not installed yet.

It was a transport van with a wheel chair lift. I have all the maintenance records from new. It had a lot of surface rust spots. The only perforations were on the rear doors, one above the license plate light and one on the lower corner of the door. I don't have a before photo of the rear doors, they looked the worst. The first thing I did, after removing the decals, was to paint some POR on the rust.

I started on the rear doors. I just wanted to get them sealed up and stop the rust. I used a 4" cutting wheel on a drill turning 1000 rpm, instead of the 25,000 rpm the disk is rated for, to cut down the rust and remove the bubbled paint. Then I wet sanded the whole door with 320 on the good paint and 220 on the rough spots. I used rustoleum gloss white. 8oz paint, 1oz mineral spirits, 1oz penetrol. This is a lot thicker than the OP of this tread used. I used a 4" foam roller. After I painted the rear doors, I looked at it and went "crap", it turned out so good that now I had to go back and do actual body work and repaint. So I filled and sanded the rough bits. I then worked my way around the van. I did not do a real good job on the body work. I don't have the patience, and with the miles on the van, I was just looking for a 20' paint job. All the photos are taken from 21'.

I have not painted the bumpers yet. I did paint the rear wheel well trim and the metal grate steps.

The van starts and runs great. It does not leak any fluids. It goes down the road straight and smooth. 23.5 mpg on a 400 mile trip to give a wheel chair bound person a ride before I removed the lift.

You significantly increased the value of your vehicle with only a few dollars in materials, and significantly increased its life as the rust won't continue eating it. It looks perfect in the pictures.

You should visit the hardware store and see what blue colors would work on your 116.

Good work, sir! Looks great.

Rgds,
Chris W.
ex 95 E300D, 467K