Mercedes Vario 814 Build - Our New Fulltime Home

[WESTY66]

A better photo of the Burnt Orange which I like, not sure about the twin toiletsView attachment 629641

Ah ah!!! So it’s not just me that thinks they’ve hung bog seats on the back?? I knew it

 

[Wissel]

Am I right in thinking you have some large solar panels you favour Wissel , seriously asking for a friend. Jon

Yep, quite a fan of these:

295W Smaller Size Perlight Total Black Delta Mono Percium Solar Panel. Delivery from £33 - 54 cell smaller 1.5m size - great for vans and motorhomes, MCS Approved - The Installers choice - - 30 year parts & performance warranty

www.bimblesolar.com

Fitted loads of these, actually I'm probably fitting 3 to a roof today and will have 3 on the Vario roof.

 

[Zoobec]

A better photo of the Burnt Orange which I like, not sure about the twin toiletsView attachment 629641

I love that colour. That’s what I meant when I said volcanic orange.

 

[Wissel]

You could always get it wrapped, that way if you don’t like it after a few years you could change it, easier and quicker than paint

Did think about a wrap.

Thing is, I'd still need to paint the van first, so it would cost more.

 

[Carpmart]

Been thinking about this…

I think red and silver would work well, also would work with the black accessories you have already purchased.

Some ideas HERE. Like the black and red and the red and silver or silver and orange.

There will some obvious panel lines etc to split the paint on and I think a two colour approach will look ace.

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[jongood]

Yep, quite a fan of these:

295W Smaller Size Perlight Total Black Delta Mono Percium Solar Panel. Delivery from £33 - 54 cell smaller 1.5m size - great for vans and motorhomes, MCS Approved - The Installers choice - - 30 year parts & performance warranty

www.bimblesolar.com

Fitted loads of these, actually I'm probably fitting 3 to a roof today and will have 3 on the Vario roof.

John Russell

 

[Wissel]

Just to give an idea of how the Vario looks in certain colours:

Personally, I don't like orange ones. Looks good on a Ducato etc - not so much on a Vario IMO.

I quite like the grey ones, but they have been done to death.

I like this colour, plus they have blacked the wheels etc (which I will be doing and adding chunky tyres).

I really like them in black, but I would go with a black more like the car to it's left. I'd kind of dismissed this due to heat absorption, but as I have some black paint, might do a test like I'm doing with the red.

activecampers - I seem to remember you insulated yours quite thoroughly? How is living with a black van? have you taken it anywhere pretty hot?

A few have mentioned 2 or more colours. I can't see us going this route (apart from black around the bottom)

And a deep red.

I like the idea of the above van in a slightly darker red, with a bit more black here and there.
The windows I'm fitting are the jet black Poly Aeros (and pretty big), there's a 5m black awning (same size as in the above photo), the lockers will be black and so will the wheels.

I'll also have quite a chunky solar roof rack on the top. A similar design to the one on my current van, but with larger aluminium:

Design has changed very slightly again for anyone interested:

 

[bertiebasset]

As you seem so keen on the red why not break it up along the sides with slanted black/silver/white stripes, then you would be able to paint in sections without the problems of blending.

 

[Carpmart]

I agree two colours with straight lines looks terrible, with some creativity around where you split the colour, I think it would be fantastic.

Silver bottom of the vehicle and a dark red higher up and across bonet and A pillars still gets my vote

 

[Minxy]

What about retro?

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[DJT]

Iridium Silver

 

[WESTY66]

3rd picture down for me I like grey but we’ve had it for around 5 years or so now getting a bit common

 

[Riverbankannie]

I like the last photo, slightly blue/grey and the sandy colour one

 

[Langtoftlad]

3rd picture down for me I like grey but we’ve had it for around 5 years or so now getting a bit common

Thing is, best to go for colour you like regardless. Grey is fashionable now but might not be in two years.
Any untrendy colour you pick might become trendy in a bit - apart from yoghurt pink obviously

 

[Poutie57]

I like the 3rd one but then I would probably paint it white and wrap it with sone funky design. Every individual will have a different take and taste, I’m sure what ever you choose will be brilliant

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[activecampers]

Just to give an idea of how the Vario looks in certain colours:

View attachment 629657
Personally, I don't like orange ones. Looks good on a Ducato etc - not so much on a Vario IMO.

View attachment 629659

I quite like the grey ones, but they have been done to death.

View attachment 629651

I like this colour, plus they have blacked the wheels etc (which I will be doing and adding chunky tyres).
View attachment 629653

I really like them in black, but I would go with a black more like the car to it's left. I'd kind of dismissed this due to heat absorption, but as I have some black paint, might do a test like I'm doing with the red.

activecampers - I seem to remember you insulated yours quite thoroughly? How is living with a black van? have you taken it anywhere pretty hot?

View attachment 629650

A few have mentioned 2 or more colours. I can't see us going this route (apart from black around the bottom)

View attachment 629664
And a deep red.

I like the idea of the above van in a slightly darker red, with a bit more black here and there.
The windows I'm fitting are the jet black Poly Aeros (and pretty big), there's a 5m black awning (same size as in the above photo), the lockers will be black and so will the wheels.

I'll also have quite a chunky solar roof rack on the top. A similar design to the one on my current van, but with larger aluminium:
View attachment 629665

Design has changed very slightly again for anyone interested:
View attachment 629666

Currently in France at 35'-37'+ and has been +30 for last few weeks.

The *hottest* place in the van is the cab due to glass. We don't use cab in conversion so its curtained off (thermal curtains), and must be +15-20' heat differential! Rear is generally ambient temperature - but thats still hot. I'd say not really hotter than any other panel van. Insulation is quote good/thorough - internal walls aren't warm.

The outside black is hot if in the sun - but can't compare like with like.

Of course, science says there is some difference, but I'd say black well insulated would be better than white badly insulated.

However the garage is not insulated, just lined/vinyled - or bare - and that is hot if the sun is on it - though not sure the difference between white/black - but does show a *huge* difference compared to the insulated bit.

Hope that answers the question - not scientific I'm afraid.

I will say I am now parked in shade as the sun is *very* hot and thats with doors open and outside so not down to the van! 38' forecast.

 

[activecampers]

PS - I like the grey above And I'd have bought dark grey if I had a choice (the Sportivo was a very loaded special edition which had a "value" compared to base model + options, and only came in black).
PPS I would say black shows off dust/dirt/mud much more than white. Our van looks filthy. OK, it is. But if I washed it it'd look the same in 24hrs so why bother!

 

[Carpmart]

I have to say, I’m quite excited to see what colour we all choose and how the overall project develops for us funsters, feels like we are all somehow more involved than a usual project thread….

 

[Minxy]

I like the beige/cream one too, shows off the trim nicely.

If it was me though I'd have one this colour! I'd never lose it in a car park!

 

[TinaLes]

Hi Wissel & interested others.
I always fancied a colour like RAF Blue for a van conversion, makes it easier to hide when doing a bit of stealth camping
Anyhow, on my Google searches for RAF Blue colour swabs, I found this company that specialise in van spraying, their website shows a few vans, it also has a colour chart of available colours pretty much a full spectrum, they give an indication of costs also for those not brave/skilled enough to tackle the job themselves.
Website: https://www.beyondthevan.com/services/resprays
They also have a you tube channel called Beyond The Van .......https://www.youtube.com/BeyondTheVan

Hope this is some interest, who knows you may be able to do a deal together, one less job to worry about.
Good luck, stay well, dont overdo things.
LES

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[Wissel]

Hi Wissel & interested others.
I always fancied a colour like RAF Blue for a van conversion, makes it easier to hide when doing a bit of stealth camping
Anyhow, on my Google searches for RAF Blue colour swabs, I found this company that specialise in van spraying, their website shows a few vans, it also has a colour chart of available colours pretty much a full spectrum, they give an indication of costs also for those not brave/skilled enough to tackle the job themselves.
Website: https://www.beyondthevan.com/services/resprays
They also have a you tube channel called Beyond The Van .......https://www.youtube.com/BeyondTheVan

Hope this is some interest, who knows you may be able to do a deal together, one less job to worry about.
Good luck, stay well, dont overdo things.
LES

Thanks for posting this

I'm definitely painting our van myself, but I was wondering how Rich was getting on a few nights ago. I had no idea he now had his own premises and I quite enjoyed floating around his site for a while.

The Nato Green comment a few pages back by Floydster was a reference to them/him - I did threaten Claira with this and got a stern no

PS - I like RAF Blue as well. Claira doesn't

 

[Razamataz]

My tupence worth

 

[Northernraider]

Here are a few i follow on Instagram .

To be honest theres nearly every colour possible out there already on varios.

The red i cant help but sing postman pat songs , white is boring , orange looks like german roadworks , sand coloured common , grey common .

The last one is the blue i planned to paint it ... Theres only one other that colour and it's the one ive shown . And its in florida.

Im biased but its lovely.

 

[PaulOH]

What with the price of that diesel - might it be better to think about a wood burner stove? I was wondering myself as I could be FTing myself before long and was thinking that a stove with cooking faciities might be cheaper than diesel - I often see pallets with fine blocks of solid wood left at the bin here but I have yet to see a can of diesel!

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Camouflage the same colour as this van is good, only trouble is it’s a bugger trying to find the door

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[Wissel]

Northernraider I like that blue

If it were just my choice it would be on the shortlist, but it isn't. I've been told no green, blue or yellow and like an easy life

Agree that the red ones look a bit postman pat, but the red I/we like is a lot darker. I spent a few weeks parked next to one last summer and loved it.

 

[Carpmart]

Northernraider I like that blue

If it were just my choice it would be on the shortlist, but it isn't. I've been told no green, blue or yellow and like an easy life

Agree that the red ones look a bit postman pat, but the red I/we like is a lot darker. I spent a few weeks parked next to one last summer and loved it.

I think we have reached the point where we need a Funster Colour poll so we can democratically decide for you…

 

[Otter Spotter]

Northernraider I like that blue

If it were just my choice it would be on the shortlist, but it isn't. I've been told no green, blue or yellow and like an easy life

Agree that the red ones look a bit postman pat, but the red I/we like is a lot darker. I spent a few weeks parked next to one last summer and loved it.

How about the red you like but with contrasting graphics similar to your existing van I think that would fantastic or should I say ‘Vantastic’

 

[Wissel]

How about the red you like but with contrasting graphics similar to your existing van I think that would fantastic or should I say ‘Vantastic’

That's pretty much my thinking Dave

I like the graphics on our van and like the idea of similar again.

 

[Otter Spotter]

That's pretty much my thinking Dave

I like the graphics on our van and like the idea of similar again.

Result, great minds think alike how are you feeling now, much better I hope ?

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