Cleaning, to be ready

Did a myriad of stuff today/tonight.

New panels that I made from birch plywood for the slider and rear hatch.  Paid $26 for the 4x8 sheet, made templates out of some cardboard from bottom of a pallet and they came out great.  I had the paint matched to the cabinetry. Yes, I know the picture is bad.

Put a first coat on them, drilled and mounted them up with some stainless screws and removed them for their final coat of paint tomorrow. 

Finally did that sway bar link.  Used liquid soap to lube the rubber bushing for easier installation. At some point, I have on the wish list to go with polyurethane bushings, so I am not going too crazy right now.

As you can see, I still need to install my springs and shocks for the front.  I admit, I have put that on the backburner.  The ride height has been acceptable with the rears done and the older front coilsprings, so I have been doing other things.

C'est la vie.

Just did the front springs on my S420, THAT WAS A BITCH, and I will hold off on attempting another spring install for a week or so.  Maybe.

And now for the fun stuff - cleaning.  I will first like to state that I do take this to a non-normal level.  I am a Chef by profession, and although there are messy Chefs out there, I am not one of them.  When I clean, I want to be able eat off that surface.  With that being said, it took me three hours to do what I could reach from the front two seats.  The picture on the right is the headliner above the front seats.  The first wipe with Clorox Clean up left me nauseous.  20 years of neglect, uncleanliness and Hippie wanna be smoke left a film on the van that I had really thought was oxidation on all of the surfaces.

Once I started wiping, I was through two spray bottles of the Clean up before I was done the front area.  I can honestly state that you CAN eat off that dashboard, or even the door jambs.

I also stripped the rear shelf above the stove/sink unit so that I could remove the curtains for cleaning.  Once I did, they were actually able to stand on their own.

The shelf comes off with removal of two 10mm nuts and a couple screws on the end panel behind the drivers seat.  Will allow me to clean out the shelf before reinstallation.

The painted surfaces are at least 4 times brighter after being wiped down.  The black/brown coating over the paint amazes me, but has been somewhat easy to clean off and make shine.  I think before putting things together again, I will rub on a coat of wax to protect and make clean up easier in the future.  After all, I do have a 4 year old.

This picture pleases me.  Its the entire curtain set after three consecutive washes, I am starting a final wash for a total of four.  I will line dry in the morning (its raining now) so they don't shrink.  I have no ill conceived notions that they have some sun damage and fading, but I do have high expectations for a clean smell, a curtain that is not able to stand up on its own, and actually usable.

I do however have Mom the seamstress standing by to make another set if this does not work.  Hope for the best, plan for the worst?

I also realized I have not yet posted a complete picture of the Thingamajigger yet.  So here is a little Vanagon porn from today.

My sons vehicles litter the yard, with his tool box a tow.  He has been a great helper and he is really looking forward to going camping.  Check out that sweet rear bumper!   
The jeep toy has been rewired with a small car battery and is quite fast!  Highly recommend it for your active child.