Lots of people pimp their cars – with mixed results. But the space you have in a van gives you so much more opportunity to create something special. And, all for the fraction of the price you would spend on a sports car. Let’s take a look at some ideas for how to get started with van renovation.
Choose your weapon
First of all, you’ll need to decide on whether you are doing this for business or pleasure. There’s no reason you can’t pimp out a work van for your company – it’s a great way of advertising who you are and what you do.
But, regardless of why you are renovating it, you will need your van to be sturdy enough to take some extra weight. It should also be plain enough to give you a blank canvas. A simple used Sprinter van would do the job perfectly, for example. Check out you local dealer or an auto trading magazine, and find a suitable vehicle. Don’t forget to make the right checks for buying a used car, and you should pick up a bargain.
Fix it first
Before you get started, you should perform some checks to make sure everything is in perfect working order. Send it in for a service to get that guarantee you will need before spending loads of cash on the renovation. Nothing would be worse than finishing a long decorating job and breaking down on your first ride out of the garage.
Image by Mario Antonio Pena Zapatería
Inside out
It’s best to work from the inside out when you are doing up any vehicle. That external paint job is just finish, no matter how complicated your design is. If you plan on putting furniture or TV sets in the back of the van, think carefully about weight distribution. And, of course, use lighter materials to make sure that the van can carry it when you are going uphill.
It’s always best to sketch out a scale drawing and make a plan – make sure that you get those measurements just right. There isn’t much room for maneuver, and a silly mistake like that could ruin your whole project. Get yourself a decent sound system and speakers, and perhaps an LED TV to fix into the back. Soundproofing might help, too – especially if you are planning to spend nights in there with friends.
The paint job
It doesn’t matter how great your van looks on the inside; it’s what it looks like on the outside that is important. So, by all means do the paint job yourself – but be aware that a professional will do it better, and quicker.
There are many artists out there who dig this kind of thing. Keep your eyes peeled around your neighborhood.That kid with the paint and the graffiti skills? They could be a cheap design solution for you.
Drive
And that’s all there is to it – simple stuff, right? Of course, there is a lot of work to do, and it isn’t all that simple at all. But, regarding money, you are going to save a fortune going down this route. Enjoy!