This wasn’t just a paint job—it was a values check-in.

• Sustainability: No fossil-fuel-powered drives to distant body shops, no aerosol waste from spray cans, no chemical-laden overspray drifting into hedgerows.
• Affordability: A few tins of water-based, non-toxic metal paint from a local hardware shop cost a fraction of a professional respray. The true investment? Time, and a willingness to embrace imperfection.
• Self-expression: Every stroke, every patchy corner, every moment spent crouched awkwardly under the wheel arch—we’re in all of it. The end result tells a story only we could write.

Color with a Conscience
We chose a soft sage green, inspired by the windswept grasses along the Fife coast and the lichen-dusted walls of old crofts. It’s a hue that lets the van disappear gently into wild surroundings rather than shouting over them.

Thinking of Painting Yours? Here’s What Helped Us:

• Choose wisely: Water-based, non-toxic paints formulated for outdoor metalwork are best. Bonus if they’re produced locally or in small batches.
• Prep counts: Clean thoroughly. Sand lightly. Prime patiently. Skimping here means your color won’t last the winter.
• Roll don’t rush: A small foam roller gives smoother coats and fewer drips. Thin layers are key—and they dry quicker.
• Embrace the wabi-sabi: Your paint job won’t look factory-made. But maybe that’s a feature, not a flaw.

Slowness is a Superpower
In a world obsessed with flawless finishes and high-speed upgrades, painting our van by hand was a chance to pause. To work with intention. To slow down enough to remember that imperfect things are often the most alive.

Extra reads:

Water-Based, Non-Toxic Paints for Metal

• Water-Based Paints for Metal Surfaces – Paints4Trade – Offers anti-corrosion, low-VOC options suitable for campervans, with finishes from gloss to satin
• SCOOBYS Eco-Friendly Paint – Amazon UK – Non-toxic, fast-drying, and suitable for metal, wood, and plastic
• Screwfix Dundee – Local Hardware Option – For sourcing water-based metal paints and tools near Fife

Hand-Painting Tips & Real-Life Stories

• Hand Painting a Campervan – BohemiVan – A personal, practical guide to painting a van by hand with honesty and humour
• How to Paint a Camper Van – Instructables – Step-by-step with photos, from sanding to sealing
• Roller Painting My Van for Under £200 – YouTube – A slow-travel vanner shares her full DIY process with tips and product links