What Berliner is best to paint Wildernest shell

[squisher]

I am repainting the shell of my Wildernest. It's painted and in good shape.  Some scratches, not deep enough to go through white base paint.  I plan to prime it and then use Berliner.  There are approx 4 Berliner types out here and I don't want one that fades, chips, and more importantly does not have really rough texture.  I know testure is is real purpose, but I don't want the tread as much as the tough exterior.  

If anyone has done this, has tips as to how to tape, prep and paint as I pan to, please toss in. My concern is around the hinge side edges, getting it painted without taking any hardware off.  I plan to use blue painters tape, is that good enough or a mistake?  I dont want tape to pull off the primer or Berliner once it's on.  Do I pull tape off before its all set or wait??  I'm very new at this but have read a bunch and believe hearing a few mistakes and successes may make my job treat much better.  

One last question, for the tent material, also in good condition, what is the best conditioner to ensure its waterproof and doesn't dry out?  

Toss in and thanks for whatever you may offer.  

Squisher.  

[squisher]

Thanks a ton for the info. I looked into Awlgrip and it looks really tough. I think you figured out I meant to say Bedliner, and not the autocorrect word. I won't type it again as I'll get it again later. As you mentioned, it is painted over the fiberglass. It's now light blue to match the prior owners truck. In good shape with a few good scratches a in the paint. In my research of Awlgrip it appeared fairly involved. Unless it is really easier that it appears? I don't believe I can put the finishing touches on as described in the website. I do see being able to do Bedliner. It's a primer and a roll on coat. Possibly a cheaters way out, but I can do this without too many complications.

The fabric tip you gave me was also helpful. Now we need to clean it and plan to use Lysol and water. I don't know if that will damage the coating, but it is a less intense cleaner than most. If that's a mistake, please do let me know.

Once we get the outside done, I will build a cabinet that extends from the bed's front only 1/2 way, just over the wheel wells. Enough cabinet for a small Coleman cooker storage, a water container, minimal kitchen goods and a spartan clothing cache I do hope to install a few small LED reading lights using 18 gauge wire and run it up the canvas walls inside. I plan to install in the cabinet a 12 volt Maine battery and will also hook up an inveterate for cell phone and laptop charging. Big plans. May tak a while. First the Bedliner.

So, I am still asking, which is the best Bedliner to use.  I hope to use a minimally gritty version.  
Thanks folks. 

[Wildernest_ADV]

Hey Squisher, I used spraycan bedliner from the hardware store on the inside of my 'nest. it covers really great and it hasn't chipped off at all. (granted this is the inside of the cap) i washed the inside REALLY well with TSP soap and it sticks REALLY good. i think the key is prep. prep and clean and wipe the surface before you paint it. I got a spray can handle and the rustoleum bedliner rattle cans.

as for the canvas, my urethane ccoating is coming off too. I washed the tent to try and get stains out. no dice. I sprayed the entire outside of my tent with silicone tent waterproofer which seems to work awesome- I live in the SW so we don't get a lot of rain so it's not been a problem so far.
Welcome to the 'Nest club!

[squisher]

Well that gives me reason to stop and think. I do want to make a wise choice on painting and canvas clean up. The bedliner vs Awlgrip. I will visit a paint store and auto parts shop and do a quiz or two. Your assurance of ease to use is reassuring. Their website is a bit scary. The canvas is the first item and isn’t bad, just stained and a little camp/ tent smell. The usual. Diluted Lysol should be ok, I hope. We won’t go more caustic than that. Thanks a ton for all your considerate advice. I won’t jump in too quickly and may do more Awlgrip research. My follow up project will be a bench only as far as the wheel well top to hold Camper stove, water container and some essential cloths. Very lite materials and possibly removable. Drawings in the works.
Thanks and any creative ideas appreciated. I’ll post the paint and canvas progress.

[squisher]

I Got R Done. I took your advice, did not use Bedliner, instead used marine paint. One part, no mixing, it's white and looks great. Polyurethane enamel is tricky to get smooth a silk as it gets air bubbles that translate to acne, or tiny bumps in the paint. I brushed it as required, but alas, not perfect. It was a bear at first, then not so bad. Lots of taping, a great level of care is needed to get right up and around the windows and trim. I did not remove anything, no screws, etc. Just taped it up. I also had to build a dolly to roll it around on so it was mobile to keep in the good light. It's still curing and I have not put it on the truck yet. The paint needs a number of days to entirely set up so there it sets. I love the look, bright white should be cooler in the summer sun and white on a red truck will be a nice look. Thanks for all the tips and ideas.

Now I need to build a small shelf of sorts for a sink with hand pump faucet, water jugs below, a thin two burner Coleman stove on top, possibly inset so I can cover it and cubbies for plastic boxes below. No doors, who needs them, just bungies for the boxes. The other project is boxing in just the wheel wells to make them useable space verses a lump. Nick knack space in whatever the 2x2 wood frame cover allows. I don't want end to end benches. They'll take up all he space in the Ranger.
That's the project. I'll post pictures as soon as I figure out how to do it.

[scojo]

Good job.

[richmc]

Hey Squisher,

Great job on the paint job. Looks like it came out really well! The Marine paint was a great choice - I used the same product on the camper top of my VW Westfalia years ago and it kept its nice finish for years.

I'd like to ask a favor of you... I'm in the midst of my own restoration and I was wondering if you'd be able to take some measurements of your rear hatch/window?

I was fortunate enough to pick up my Wilderness for only $100, knowing full well that it was going to require quite a bit of rehab work. One of the main problems was that the rear window was missing. All I have is the half of the hinge that is attached to the topper, the entire rest of the window (frame and all) was not with it. I know it is similar to other topper windows that I've seen by other manufacturers, so I am hoping I might be able to find a replacement at a junk yard. I just want the dimensions to make sure I get a properly sized window. Otherwise, I will be mocking up my own rear hatch from scratch...

-Rich