An idea..but probably a stupid one :crazy:.......seeing there's companies that print up vinyl graphics etc, could you take a couple of digital photos of say your family sitting in an estate car for example, so you have 'realistic lifelike quality' prints which the printers can then crop/edit to suit and print out a graphic to stick on the side of the van.
Or even just photos of vehicle windows if that'd work.

Another one....how about a vinyl wrap of the whole van of say some bushes in a field so when you park up on a greenfield campsite your van should become 'invisible' like a camouflage.

 

My citroen ax van ,which I purchased that way solely to avoid tax,I had the rear window panels painted gloss black.It wasnt totally successfull,but did make it look more carlike.

paint the panels grey maybe and then get sheets of the semi transparent headlamp tint vinyl in a "smoke" colour and cover the light grey with that? or perhaps window tinting sheets,but I doubt theyed be durable enough for exterior application.
Its the shiny surface you need really.

You know the way some van owners cover the rear windows from the inside with reflective mirror film>?,
You can get sheets of chrome effect vinyl for exterior use,Ive used it myself(see under the headlamps in my sig pic).
That might be an option too.

 

Re: Trafic fake windows

I sympathise, like you we tow a caravan with a Toyota Hi-Ace & the BMW K1100 or Commando in the back. We used to camp on the bike (not literally) but SWMBO's arthritis precludes getting her leg over with the panniers on. But fine without.
The assumption that everyone towing with a van is a diddycoy bugs me too. If you want to really pi55 someone off, drive into a Caravan Club Site. :devil: I've been shoved in a field behind the site. Been told I can pitch the caravan & park off site. Refused entry to Stratford on Avon Racecourse, even though horseboxes were there. Went a mile down the road to a site behind a mobile home village, where the site owner was surprised to hear of such discrimination.
FFS Don't get a German living or twin axle van. Lots of sites refuse them, even if you tow with a Chelsea Tractor.
My Toyota, is an unsignwritten company van, so I can't add windows.
So Dicky, if you do have any joy / ideas, I for one will be happy to hear them.

Just found this http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=285966
Searched for "Vinyl Wrapping Fake Windows" Search continues.

 

Thanks guys, all good suggestions for me to chew over. The link to the VW site was really good reading, so thanks Nottnoc for posting it. The photo of the van with windows stuck on the outside looked pretty well spot on, if perhaps a little more costly than I had in mind, but really worthy of considerable thought. I wonder what adhesive was used to hold them in place!

 

Just followed the guys build log and found the answer to my question re Adhesive, he used windscreen sealant. On top of that he only paid £45 for the two rear windows, so not costly at all. I know I'll have six to fit but I'm sure the result will be well worth it!
Thanks again one and all, it looks like I have a way forward from here.:d

 

Do you need six ?
Couple at front like a crew van ??

That VW do look good :d

 

There are plenty of signwriting places that would print a window or two on whatever substrate, sticky or magnetic.

Or you could try cutting your own
http://www.mdpsupplies.co.uk/

 

I think what would have looked good would be prints of the untouchables carrying heavy machine guns..that would have turned a few heads..:d ..he would have probably turned up to his destination with a welcome from the boys in blue or the SAS..:d

Leave the vehicle please hands in the air.. now hit the deck with your hand behind your back

 

Thanks for the link and the smile both. Have to confess that I'd looked further into the glass window route and discovered that the adhesive needed to bond the glass to the van required a primer that etched through the paint and into the metalwork! This together with concerns of the possibility of the windows coming adrift somewhere along the road has caused me to hesitate. I'll take a look at vinyl/fablon route and see where it takes me. Hopefully the adhesive for this won't eat through the paintwork and into the base metal. Also the consequences of one coming adrift will not be quite so severe.

 

the chrome "wrap" I mentioned will stick fine and come off reasonably easy,but it is wrap...
If putting it on a panel the edges would have to be sealed with something like pinstriping tape.
Due to contraction /heat/cold it would lift off otherwise
Thinner transparent vinyl probably not as readily.

 

The magnetic 'window's are only needed for the campsite; so pull-over half a mile before the approach, fit them, and remove them once you have left.

HTH,

Paul

 

Firstly, thanks all for the helpful suggestions which have caused me to ponder long and hard about which direction to head in. I'd actually purchased a roll of black gloss vinyll along the way to use as imitation for Privacy glass windows but having offered it up wasn't then convinced of the look it offered so have put it to one side. Anyway, in the end having trawled the net I eventually came across the Vanpimp website advertising factory tinted Privacy windows for the Trafic. Admiring the look of the VW van which had already received similar treatment I've opted for "real" windows instead of fake, so apologies to anyone who feels mislead by my original post, although to be honest they will still be "fake" as there will be no view through them due to me just bonding them on top of the existing panels! They are due to arrive on Tuesday so with a bit of luck will be able to start work upon it next weekend.
Once again thanks to everyone who posted to help me arrive where I have today.:d

 

I suppose they cant be cheap,why not go the whole way and cut out the metal,treat the bare edges and put on the rubber surround?

 

Thanks, that's entirely possible and it does seem a shame to go to all the expense and still end up with a van, but would it change the vehicle classification and then attract the attention HMI of taxes for VAT recovery, even if I kept the windows totally blanked?

 

I think the regulations have softened over the years, but I think its the combination of seating and glass, or just seats, that changes the classifications.
As far as I know there is no stipulation that says the panel has to be metal, so replacing it with fitted black-out glass panels should be exactly the same. I don't know if glass windows would be more of a security risk seeing what is inside, but chances are if someone wants to break-in to any vehicle they will do it regardless of what protections are fitted.

 

Im not sure on the UK regs ,but when I had my AX van,it was supposed to remain with panel sides and a flat rear floor.
I left it that way,but there were 3 aspects to it.

1.Youre definitely supposed to leave it as bought.
In practice some do remove the panel and put in windows and or put in seats.

2.Motor tax here. If youre going to tax it as commercial(cheaper) you better leave it as it arrived.,only using it during buisness hrs..depends on ins too.

3.Ins : mine didnt cover vans (commercial usage) .However once I informed them that it was to be taxed normally and used as a "normal car" (2 people only) there was no premium hike.

 

Many thanks one and all for your valued responses to my original question, they were all welcomed and given careful consideration. As suggested I eventually plumped for a full set of factory tinted privacy windows which have worked out very satisfactorily for me. Having started out thinking I'd make do with simple adhesive backed plastic sheet, I went the whole hog! Well, not quite as it's still a van with the wooden panelling inside still to maintain the privacy required. I did have the metal panelling cut out so if, at some point in time, I or the next owner wishes to take it a step further then it should be plain sailing. I've informed my insurers fully of the changes and was pleasantly surprised to find that, as it was still blacked out as a van, then there would be no increase in premium. Have to confess that I still have to advise the correct authorities of the same. So must make this a priority. I'll try to add a couple of photo's for you to assess the outcome. Oh, by the way the Windows were purchased from Vanpimps who were excellent with not only the supply but support also. Also, I engaged Car Glass and Trim of Ipswich to complete the work for me, having chickened out of attacking my two year old van with a tin opener myself! Couldn't fault either company for their professionalism.
Anyway thanks once again to you all and apologies if the title "Fake windows" turned out, unintentionally, to be misleading in any way!