It’s been a while since our last blog post… or last project for that matter.
But we’ve certainly had enough time to recharge our batteries to get ready for our new project! 16ZLP
We were lucky enough to receive another $10k donation to undertake this project.
On Friday 4th August, we moved the ZLP to one of the turntable roads at Maldon, so it’s close to air and power but also, so it’s not in the way.
We then started ordering all the Materials we needed for the job, and then started stripping the interior.
The plan is to re-stick the entire van and paint it into VR wagon red. The current stick wood is by far life expired and suffering from water damage.
Our timber man Shane Lennon is already in the process of machining up all of the hardwood timber for this job. We should see all this arrive in a few weeks time.
On closer inspection, some of the door and corner posts are showing signs of deterioration. When we get to stripping the outside, these will be properly inspected to see if they will require replacement or not. (Fingers crossed it’s only cosmetic)
The roof also requires repairs as it leaks. The VGR fitted new roof timber boards and a flat tin roof to the ZLP many years ago and used a fibre glass coating over the tin. This seems to have cracked in a few places and now lets water in. This is a major problem as a few of the roof timber’s are showing signs of water damage and rotting. The joys of softwoods………
But, the ZLP has only had 4 or 5 repaints and a tin roof fitted in the 30 odd years it’s been with VGR. So it’s served it’s time well.
The interior will be fully overhauled. Including repairs to some timber work & repair/rebuild a few doors and a full repaint,
Works are progressing well on the interior which we started the day after we moved the ZLP.
The wall panels that hide the sliding doors when they are open, have been removed and cleaned up ready for painting. One of the bottoms had seen better days. We had the choice of spending more $$$ and building a new panel, or go for the trusty bog option. This isn’t a structural part of the van, so we can bet away with the patching up here
While the interior is apart, we will use this opportunity to rewire the van, to hopefully get all the marker & interior lights working again! (This is only a low voltage system)
All the paint for this project has arrived. So once everything is prepped… there should be no excuse as to why paint can’t be slapped on.
After successfully trying out this new brand of paint on T222, we were amazed by the results. So we have decided to use Carboline coatings once again for this project.
Keep an eye out over coming months to see the progress on the ZLP’s restoration. We will try our best to update this blog as much as possible
We can’t wait to see how this van transforms over the next few months.
The YVG are always working on exciting and unique projects! If you would like to support us on our ventures, please consider donating – http://www.vgr.com.au/donations.php
Like the T van & ZLP, you are more than welcome to donate towards a specific project. Feel free to get in contact with us and have a chat about what vehicles you would like to restore and/ or see restored.
As with all our projects, we are always looking for as many people as possible to help out. Just because it’s a project run by the YVG, does not mean it’s restricted to YVG members only. Our projects are open for anyone of any age to help out. So please, email- yvg@vgr.com.au – if you are interested in helping out with any of our projects.
As always, If you or someone you know is aged between 15 and 35 and interested in joining the YVG, Contact Fletcher for more info – yvg@vgr.com.au
VGR Young Volunteers Group Blog 