What did you do to your van today?
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davoc220
- Caddy Fan
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Fri May 23, 2025 12:12 pm
Re: What did you do to your van today?
Yesterday I ordered a set of rear spring poly bushes, purple 1s cause I couldn’t get the black 1s and got 2 tyres for the new alloys
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- mirogo
- Caddy2k Groupie
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Thu Dec 14, 2023 4:06 pm
- Engine size/power: 2.0 CR TDI (83bhp)
Re: What did you do to your van today?
Thank you guys — it’s not perfect, but it was fun 
I sanded everything by hand. 300 grit wasn’t enough, so I did the whole bumper with 240 grit, then 600 grit, followed by a water wash, degreaser, taping and masking. After that I applied one coat of adhesive primer, then a 1K primer coat, then another 1K primer coat. I wet-sanded with 600 grit, added another 1K primer coat, and wet-sanded again with 600 grit.
Then I made a small mistake — I used too much water and it leaked under the fine line tape, so I ended up with a bit of contamination where I didn’t want it. Since it was my first time doing this, the result isn’t perfect.
After that I applied 3 coats of 1K base paint followed by 3 coats of 2K clear coat. Tip: use strong lighting while spraying, so you don’t overspray or lay it too wet — otherwise you’ll create runs and make the clear coat messy. Another tip: remove the side inserts for the fog lamp area so you get clean edges and lines.
I did the front bumper first, which was a bad choice — I think it’s better to start with the rear bumper because it’s much easier. And one more tip: clean the lines where the fine line tape goes with alcohol as thoroughly as possible, so the tape sticks 100% and you get a clean, sharp paint line.
The bumper pattern structure must go completely OFF
and Adhesive primer is must have 
I sanded everything by hand. 300 grit wasn’t enough, so I did the whole bumper with 240 grit, then 600 grit, followed by a water wash, degreaser, taping and masking. After that I applied one coat of adhesive primer, then a 1K primer coat, then another 1K primer coat. I wet-sanded with 600 grit, added another 1K primer coat, and wet-sanded again with 600 grit.
Then I made a small mistake — I used too much water and it leaked under the fine line tape, so I ended up with a bit of contamination where I didn’t want it. Since it was my first time doing this, the result isn’t perfect.
After that I applied 3 coats of 1K base paint followed by 3 coats of 2K clear coat. Tip: use strong lighting while spraying, so you don’t overspray or lay it too wet — otherwise you’ll create runs and make the clear coat messy. Another tip: remove the side inserts for the fog lamp area so you get clean edges and lines.
I did the front bumper first, which was a bad choice — I think it’s better to start with the rear bumper because it’s much easier. And one more tip: clean the lines where the fine line tape goes with alcohol as thoroughly as possible, so the tape sticks 100% and you get a clean, sharp paint line.
The bumper pattern structure must go completely OFF
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petrev
- Hyper Poster
- Posts: 2302
- Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2015 1:41 pm
- Engine size/power: 1.4TSI
Re: What did you do to your van today?
Wow !
Amazing work
Top tips too.
Now that I know all the things that you have to do I will definitely be giving this job to someone else
Too many ways to fek-up !
Again, amazing work
Amazing work
Top tips too.
Now that I know all the things that you have to do I will definitely be giving this job to someone else
Too many ways to fek-up !
Again, amazing work
- gazza31112
- Hyper Poster
- Posts: 1746
- Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2019 9:51 am
Re: What did you do to your van today?
Vans not been used since late October, I bravely/ maybe stupidly took her on a 700 mile road trip over the last 4 days and she didn't miss a beat!
Quick wash this afternoon and back into hibernation for hopefully just a few more weeks until she's needed as the family daily

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Quick wash this afternoon and back into hibernation for hopefully just a few more weeks until she's needed as the family daily


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STP
- Hyper Poster
- Posts: 744
- Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2025 7:01 pm
- Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)
Re: What did you do to your van today?
Looking fresh mate! Lovely van.
2015 SWB Van, 1.6 CR TDI with Cruise Control, Heated Mirrors, Highline Clocks & MFD, VW Hands Free Bluetooth, Electric Windows, Reversing Cameras, DPF Monitor, Thatcham Cat 2.
My build thread: White MK3 Facelift
My DPF Monitoring Device thread: DPF Monitor
My build thread: White MK3 Facelift
My DPF Monitoring Device thread: DPF Monitor
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Cornish caddy
- Caddy2k Groupie
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2026 11:01 pm
Re: What did you do to your van today?
Second time out in my new (to me) caddy and being so used to my petrol peugeot partner and my motorcycles.... I of course managed to put 5+ litres of petrol in the diesel tank
.. luckily only had to wait a couple of hours to be rescued and drained ... stickers now applied to diesel cap ... ha
.. luckily only had to wait a couple of hours to be rescued and drained ... stickers now applied to diesel cap ... ha
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saltnsauce
- Caddy2k Groupie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2026 2:29 pm
- Engine size/power: 2.0TSI EA888 Gen3
Re: What did you do to your van today?
planned the upgrades when it arrives from the dealer. Mats first I think
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petrev
- Hyper Poster
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- Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2015 1:41 pm
- Engine size/power: 1.4TSI
Re: What did you do to your van today?
At least it was petrol in a diesel !!!Cornish caddy wrote: ↑Sun Jan 18, 2026 11:29 pm Second time out in my new (to me) caddy and being so used to my petrol peugeot partner and my motorcycles.... I of course managed to put 5+ litres of petrol in the diesel tank
.. luckily only had to wait a couple of hours to be rescued and drained ... stickers now applied to diesel cap ... ha
Much worse the other way around.
Have fun with your new Caddy
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gavzzorz
- Caddy2k Groupie
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2019 11:09 am
- Engine size/power: 1.9 TDI (104bhp)
Re: What did you do to your van today?
got a New to me caddy Highline a few days ago and working on swapping all my nice bits as the new one is completely stock.
one of the little tasks tonight was to swap the Tweeters and was surprised to find that the Mk4 didn't have any!
Fired up the old Fusion360 and whipped up an adapter, got the tolerances so tight it doesn't even need any glue
one of the little tasks tonight was to swap the Tweeters and was surprised to find that the Mk4 didn't have any!
Fired up the old Fusion360 and whipped up an adapter, got the tolerances so tight it doesn't even need any glue
55 Caddy 1.9tdi ASZ - Refrofitted Cruse, Projectors, HID, Auto Wipers, Auto Lights, Footwell Lights, Highline Display, MFSW, AL Injectors, GTB1752 turbo and 02Q 6 Speed.
- spacewalker
- Hyper Poster
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- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:09 am
- Engine size/power: 1.2 TSI (103bhp)
- Location: EU
Re: What did you do to your van today?
after many many years ... finally EPB is working good
Last edited by spacewalker on Mon Feb 09, 2026 7:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
....
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Jack-uzii
- Caddy2k Groupie
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- Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2025 10:44 pm
- Engine size/power: 1.9 TDI (104bhp)
What did you do to your van today?
Great pic!gazza31112 wrote:Shes back baby!
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Where are the headlights from if you don’t mind me asking? Looking to upgrade mine and not seen those before! Especially with the colour changing, looks amazing!
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- Be4ny13
- 100BHP+
- Posts: 176
- Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2022 9:26 pm
- Engine size/power: 1.6 CR TDI (102bhp)
Re: What did you do to your van today?
Didn't do anything to the Caddy today but have bought a Touran to donate its dashboard and front seats to the caddy! I'll be stripping it down and selling parts eventually so if anyone wants carpets, door cards (2 switch) or a rear seat conversion let me know
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Silver Maxi Kombi - Not a Show Van
Far From Perfect, Perfect From Far
Far From Perfect, Perfect From Far
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kobat79
- 200BHP+
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2023 11:27 am
- Engine size/power: 1.9 TDI (104bhp)
- Location: Co. Louth, Ireland
Re: What did you do to your van today?
I stripped out the front seats and carpet so I could add sound deadening only to discover that I've had water ingress in the passenger footwell for a long time apparently.
Looks like it's coming from three separate places... 1. from the front of the van, probably the scuttle drains bunged up with leaves, 2. a missing rubber bung in the floor pan behind the passenger seat, 3. from the direction of the sliding door into the top right hand corner of the "footwell" behind the passenger seat, assuming this is maybe from a roof rail fixing point.
It's mad because the carpet didn't look or feel wet, no mould, no smell. Only thing I did used to notice was the inside of the windscreen would be foggy/damp in the mornings regardless of the weather outside.
So I've a bit of remedial work to do before I can get on with my sound proofing...


Looks like it's coming from three separate places... 1. from the front of the van, probably the scuttle drains bunged up with leaves, 2. a missing rubber bung in the floor pan behind the passenger seat, 3. from the direction of the sliding door into the top right hand corner of the "footwell" behind the passenger seat, assuming this is maybe from a roof rail fixing point.
It's mad because the carpet didn't look or feel wet, no mould, no smell. Only thing I did used to notice was the inside of the windscreen would be foggy/damp in the mornings regardless of the weather outside.
So I've a bit of remedial work to do before I can get on with my sound proofing...


- uins
- Caddy2k Groupie
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- Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2010 9:40 pm
- Engine size/power: 2.0 CR TDI (108bhp)
Re: What did you do to your van today?


Made some shelving and put new ply down.
Can anyone tell me how to identify what seat bases I have for when I change the seats.
It’s 2018 Highline SWB. Has storage compartment under the seats.
Cheers
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- gazza31112
- Hyper Poster
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- Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2019 9:51 am
Re: What did you do to your van today?
@Jack-uzii
Thanks man, all totally custom set of xenons
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Thanks man, all totally custom set of xenons

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