Brightening it up

[Lee]

so I've got a camper and i love, apart from it being a big dark inside, there are lights of course, just that with the tinted windows and dark fabric, it's all a bit dark.

Thinking about removing the tint from the windows but will of course lose the privacy. Any ideas?

 

[Colinlp]

I know exactly what you mean, we had looked at a few modern campers at shows in the past and didliked them all because of the dark interiors. When we finally decided to convert a new van rather than the old but excellent T2 Bay we own we put a lot of thought into brightening it up. The easiest way to undarken anything is to get more light in there, so we put glass in that was of a very similar tint to the front windows on the van, we also decided to use lowline cabinets and have a full set of windows. There is plenty of light inside now but yes you can see in from the outside but you really need to look to make anything out, having spent out time in the bay which has clear windows this doesn't bother us in the least.

Other things you can do is to lighten the interior fittings so they reflect more of the available light

 

[Roadrunner]

Trouble is with taking the tint off is it lets heat in. as @Colinlp said use lighter materials inside. Personally I prefer it dark inside

 

[Lee]

Good point with the cabinets, we've got those little ones above the window, we don't use so I might take them out.

Hadn't considered that untinted windows would let more light in, I can probably live with that though.

 

[T6 Dave's Dad]

@Colinlp have you considered trying reflective film on the glass as it gives a modicum of privacy yet allows you to see out and get light in? Perhaps our vinyl specialists can advise?

 

[Lee]

Anyone know if it's possible to update the interior to a lighter one like the California, the cal is much lighter inside?

 

[Colinlp]

@Colinlp have you considered trying reflective film on the glass as it gives a modicum of privacy yet allows you to see out and get light in? Perhaps our vinyl specialists can advise?

No, I spent a lot of time looking for the the glass we have, wouldn't change a thing about it, here it is empty at the weekend




And with the bed in it

 

[T6 Dave's Dad]

First of all @Colinlp my apologies as I incorrectly mixed up your post and @Lee's and ended up with an amalgamation - senility strikes I fear. However, on a brighter note I have been following your conversion and have previously admired your skills. It is now looking awesome and would be a credit to any converter, let alone being much better than some . Looking at the latest photos above I'm guessing you are nearing the finishing post and are looking forward to being able to use it fully.

 

[Colinlp]

First of all @Colinlp my apologies as I incorrectly mixed up your post and @Lee's and ended up with an amalgamation - senility strikes I fear. However, on a brighter note I have been following your conversion and have previously admired your skills. It is now looking awesome and would be a credit to any converter, let alone being much better than some . Looking at the latest photos above I'm guessing you are nearing the finishing post and are looking forward to being able to use it fully.

Thanks! That was the first time at carpet lining and window fitting, I think it turned out OK for a beginner.

Yes it's getting there, I'm currently making the furniture, being a cabinet maker by trade it's an area I have more familiarity with so for once on this job I'm feeling more comfortable which probably means I'll flamingo up. I'm veneering the boards in Welsh oak to try and keep the feeling bright but not stark, the top will be gloss black to match the Smev, I'm also hoping the black will give the emphasis on the other bits to give them a lift. Hopefully we will be able to grab a couple of weeks away in August with it but this is more a build for the future but I'm doing it now because in the future I'm likely to be broke!!

 

[T6 Dave's Dad]

@Colinlp The reason you'll be broke in the future is because you are spending it now on the reason you are going to be broke - a classy DIY T6 conversion . Lovely job and when you are using it you will know how much loving care you've taken in doing it. And then you'll start doing all the little bits that make it even more user friendly, just as I did with our family caravan in the eighties with storage racks for glasses and crockery etc, drying lines with homemade arms that fitted in the offside front and back manoeuvring handles. Happy days .

 

[Colinlp]

You're not wrong @T6 Dave's Dad we spent a small fortune, correction a fortune on our bay (which is currently for sale on ebay), you name it we have it. Gutted we're selling it but needs must with my mother at the moment. Now that is a bright and airy camper!

 

[Chopman]

Using lighter internal colours and trims will help to keep things bright, but we have also gone with some of the points above. Full windows and then trying to reduce anything that blocks the incoming light - so keeping curtains / blinds out of the way and not having any full height units.

 

[T6 Dave's Dad]

@Colinlp what a beauty, must break your heart to sell it. Why not see if you can put it in the For Sale items with a link to clean at as I know there are people on the Forum who would like to buy a good (stunning) example. You have my sympathies re your mother - not easy.

 

[Lee]

@Colinlp bay looks beautiful, definitely bright and airy.