Most people book their vehicle into a local garage when it needs painting.
We decided to drive ours to Morocco.
Which sounds like quite a long way to go for a colour change and, to be fair, it is. But when your vehicle is also your home, getting there becomes part of the adventure!
Not to mention when we were quoted £10,000+ for a respray by multiple garages and with many of them not even replying or responding that they wouldnt touch it due to the size.. we didn’t have much choice! We painted our previous van ourselves.. but with this van being so unique we wanted a paint job to do it justice and tell a story.
So, after spending 8 months solid converting the thing, we were ready to go! With Billy behind the wheel, me documenting the journey and Willow along for the ride, we set off in Goliath our 1999 Mercedes ex-police truck and full time home on wheels.
The plan? Drive to Africa and get a paint job for cheaper that the quoted price of £10,000.
First, Meet the Truck We Took to Africa
Goliath is a Mercedes-Benz 814D that spent his previous life as a hostage and siege mobile police interrogation unit for Leicestershire police.
We bought him on eBay from AGRI SALES for £9000 and converted the inside into our home ourselves, complete with a king size bed, country cottage kitchen, tiled shower and toilet. After years of living in our first van, Big Bez, and vanlife being a huge part of our life, this was our chance to build our dream home and make changed we knew we needed after 4 years in our VW LT35
Inside, we created our home. Now it was time to give the outside some attention!
Now with the box being GRP (Fibreglass with foam core sandwich panel) and the cab being metal we knew it would be a big job. Goliath has got a fair few nooks and crannies, including a full separated section of the box behind the cab.. so whoever does the job will definitely have their work cut out for them. Luckily Goliath only had one small dent in the roof which we were told by police who used to drive him happened from a fallen tree in a storm! this also caused a small dent on the bonnet too. Other than that absolutely no rust at all which for a Mercedes 814D of this age is unheard of! hopefully we could get these dents fixed along the way.
Why Morocco?
The question we kept getting was: why drive all that way for a paint job?
The previous year we had made our first ever trip to Morocco in Big Bez, we had ventured to a town called ‘Tafroute’ and there we noticed a fair few garages doing camper van repairs and resprays. There were many local businesses driving to close by park ups full of vans and handing our business cards and even giving on the spot quotes for anything to be fixed.. at the time we had just painted our van ourselves so we were in no need for any work to be done, little did we know this experience would be great in just over a year!
For us, the journey was also part of the appeal. We live in our truck so we can travel, and this gave the trip a very definite mission.
Although it also meant putting our home into someone else’s hands. This wasn’t a car we could drop off and forget about until the garage called. Everything we needed for everyday life was inside it.
Driving Our Home from the UK to Morocco
Before any paint could happen, there was the small matter of getting Goliath to another continent.
We travelled from the UK towards southern Spain before crossing into Morocco.
It took us about 2 weeks to get to southern Spain although we had some delays as the ferries from Tangier were being cancelled due to ongoing storms! We always book our tickets for the ferry with Viajes Normandie in Algeciras. No need to pre book, just turn up! Although sometimes there’s a big queue as Carlos and his team are very popular and always ensure everything is perfect, if you have any questions or requests they help with that too, and also with drones being banned in Morocco, you can leave yours with them to be collected on return free of charge.
We booked the ferry for the next morning and headed round the corner from Carlos office in an industrial area carpark to spend the night. With many other vans also spending the night awaiting their ferry in the morning the vibes are always great.. and there are local supermarkets and takeaways within walking distance to stock up on your favorite snacks and essentials before you head to Morocco too! Sure enough.. the day to depart did eventually come and it was so good to be back!
Travelling in an older truck means the drive is a big part of the story. You’re taking your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and everything you own along for every mile. We had such an amazing journey along the way to get our van painted.. meeting old friends and new and experiencing the carnage and chaos of Morocco which makes it so special. Camping on beaches in the middle of nowhere, meeting locals and the odd breakdown and getting stuck in the sand.
We shared the journey as it happened every single day on Instagram, before sharing the viral and ever so popular “Driving to Africa for a Paint Job” series. So if you want to check out the entire journey.. click here!
Arriving at the Garage
After all that travelling, we finally arrived in Tafroute. A 3 hour drive from Agadir through winding mountains but completely do-able in trucks even bigger than Goliaths size!
This was the point where the idea became a real job, with decisions to make about who we were going to trust with the task, deciding on the finish, the work involved and how it would all fit around living in the truck.
Bill and our good friend Franx we had met last year in Morocco who had also been swayed into the idea of a Moroccan paint job somewhere along the way set off into town to check out the several local garages who could do van resprays.
Franx with his Mercedes Sprinter Van and Goliath in the background.
After speaking to the owners, checking out the workshops, work that was being done and also getting feedback from some slightly disgruntled customers who had agreed on work to be done but had their van taken apart and left for weeks, in one case months whilst the staff worked on other vehicles who’d just arrived.. Bill was feeling a little bit unsure on our decision.
A few of the garages we had looked up previously and had our mind set on, we weren’t so confident on now seeing them again in real life.
Then we found the one!
Garage Chez Mohamed Farih. We were found by Nordine, the translator and main man you will deal with to discuss who speaks excellent English. He came to find us and gave us a rough on the spot quote which was very reasonable for the work that needed doing. The price included the dents being removed, a two tone color scheme and even a discussion about a custom made roof rack was had for an additional price out sourced to a local welder.
Bill went to check out their work shop and meet the boss and was extremely impressed. We met the friendliest team, Mohamed the boss is a jolly and kind man who you can see treats his staff well but ensures work is done to his quality control. but more on the team later.
Boss Mohamed on the right with Abdu the main vehicle sprayer.
Bill and Franx meeting with Nordine at Garage Chez Mohamed Farih
We discussed the price and what work was included: Full prep, Rust and dent treatment on the bonnet and roof, and they pointed out and spotted a few additional things they wanted to fix for us including our back bumper which had a small bash on the left corner and our grill which had a small crack. It was basically a full restoration project!
We also discussed the bespoke roof rack to be used as a deck + for storage boxes to be made, adding another part of the transformation.
The dent in Goliath’s roof caused by a fallen tree.
Choosing Goliath’s New Look
Choosing a colour for your entire home on wheels is quite a commitment but we wanted to keep with Goliath’s vintage look. We’re not big grey people and with our last van being a sandy beige, we wanted something similar but with more of a retro vibe.
The colors we chose from a little catalog that you could tell had been used and abused! ‘Tafroute Beige’ for the top half and ‘KOUTOUBIA Beige’ for the bottom.
Bill with the colour catalog provided by the garage
The paint colour cards we chose.
Also the price included our black bumpers to be '‘raptor’ painted came the preparation and painting.
Then it was time for the preparation.. and this was the most important part. seeing how thoroughly they did this part of the job would be telling on how well the paint would last!
This is where progress photos really tell the story: the original finish, the work underneath, the first new colour going on and all the details coming together.
Bill helping the team remove Goliath’s Headliner in prep for the roof dent to be fixed.
The Garage Chez Mohamed Farih team fixing Goliaths dent
Watching the prep work done by the team was amazing, they took such care and precision on the smallest sections, even filling minuscule dings and dents in the GRP that we didn’t even realize were there! Every square inch of Goliath was prepped, sanded and treated perfectly. Every seam, even the aluminum frames and plastic handles of the locker boxes were prepped. The team worked so hard in all weathers to ensure it was absolutely spot on before it was to head for the respray!
The team prepping Goliath
Whilst the van was being prepped by the team, we were visited by the local fabricator and welder who was going to be making us our own custom roof rack for Goliath. He couldnt speak English but with the help of boss Mohamed, Nordine and lots of hand gestures we managed to get across exactly what we were looking for.
The talent of this man was incredible! he invited Bill down to his workshop to see the work coming along over the course of days and also see the other projects he was working on for local residents homes including a 10ft Amazigh symbol made of steel which was so beautifully detailed!
Boss Mohamed (left) and welder (right) showing some of the materials that are available to choose from
Boss Mohamed (Left) showing us how the welder plans to create the roof rack.
Boss Momo explaining the welder can place emblems onto fabrications
The welder showing Bill the progress on the roof rack in his work shop.
The finished roof rack with custom sunflower emblem and plates for spotlights to be added in the future.
Where Did We Live While Our Home Was Being Painted?
This is one of the practical questions that matters most if you’re thinking about doing something similar.
Our truck is our home, so getting work done affects much more than our transport.
We stayed in our van the entire time the team were working on it. Opposite the garage there is street parking where all of the vehicles being worked on by the garage are kept. When your van goes in to be sprayed it will stay in there overnight, then it’s your choice to stay inside the garage in your van which we did.. and yes the fumes are strong! or check in at a local hotel just a few doors up the road. Alternatively, the blue Mercedes van you will see in the image below had been left with the team whilst its owners flew out of the country, only to return once it had been completed for collection. Depending on your circumstances it seems the team will accommodate!
Goliath parked outside in the spot we lived whilst the work was being done.
The Parking spot is along a semi busy road out of Tafroute but the atmosphere is incredible. It’s one of those things I can’t explain! From locals passing by intrigued and starting conversations with you, stray dogs, puppies and cats coming over all times of the day to say hello, conversations with the team as you get to know them over the time you spend there and evenings spent with the team and new friends made with other van and vehicle owners its truly unexplainable!
Local strays finding some shade opposite our van in the midday sun.
Sunset next to the garage, The view from our van door.
Irish Alan, a friend made at the garage having welding done on his motorhome cooking us and the team all lunch.
Alan’s van-cooked dish for us all. ‘Laksa’
Garage life!
Franx & Garage owner Mohamed with Franx freshly painted sprinter.
The garage is located within walking distance of Tafroute town which means during the day you can head to the local markets, restaurants and shops to grab anything you need. Tafroute has a weekly market of second hand goods just a 5 minute walk from where you park your van which was so much fun for me who absolutely loves a thrift haul. I bagged myself a pair of vintage Toyota jeans for 20MAD - £2!
In the town you will find some amazing shops by local vendors, our favorite was stumbling upon a small shop selling soaps, creams and oils made from argan and a many stalls and shops selling natural handmade almond + peanut butter. The smells as you walk through the streets are just amazing!
Tafroute is also well known for handmade shoes. One shop in particular ‘Bab shop’ sells and makes all types of shoes and even their own version of the Boston clog which you can get made in any size and colour locally. We both bought two pairs each at £25-£30 each and we still wear them every day nearly a year later!
The walk into Tafroute town
The local restaurants are all delightful but we spent a considerable amount of time in Espace Herbal just near the petrol station in the centre of town. The waiter + owner became good friends always happy to see us sometimes twice a day as we returned for their delicious lentil soup, rotisserie chicken, chicken skewers, tacos, burgers.. we tried nearly everything on the menu and it was all gorgeous.
A chicken skewer dish from Espace Harbaz featuring delicious Moroccan lentil soup.
The work took 11 days, from the day we arrived to completion and honestly we were so sad to leave! It had felt like a lifetime but also a blip! Having spent a lot of time travelling, being in this one spot with such an amazing group of people in a beautiful part of the world was really special. We almost forgot we were just there for a paint job!
As we were daily vlogging the entire process too our audience were so invested in not only the progress on Goliath but also our interactions with the team. If you’re reading this far I really would recommend watching the series here. It was a joy to create but it doesn’t do the atmosphere of the spot justice for sure!
Momo boss of Garage Chez Mohamed Farih.
So it’s time for Goliath to be sprayed! into the garage it goes. Masking taped to the nines. Il let the next set of photos do the talking!
Abdu the sprayer applying the first coat onto Franx’s sprinter.
Goliath fully prepare, being washed ready for the paint job.
Goliath’s door shut being sprayed in Garage Chez Mohamed Farih.
The first look at Goliath out of the paint shop.
The Finished Result
After watching the transformation happen in stages, we finally got to see Goliath finished.
Honestly, I can’t even explain how blown away we were with the finish of this van. The two tone paint looked perfect! We absolutely loved the color, but the finish was even better than we’d ever imagined. The guys done an incredible job, there was one small run on the door side of the van which considering the size of Goliath and the space the guys had to work with around it inside of the van is more than understandable. The guys corrected it and it looked fantastic.
For a job that we had no real high hopes for we were absolutely over the moon. the cab looked in mint condition, the guys had totally restored it with precision and passion. For the price we paid and the conditions these guys are working in every day I cannot explain how fantastic the job is. We could absolutely not have done a job anywhere close ourselves and the experience of the journey to get there made it even better.
With the paintwork done it was a completely different look from the truck we’d arrived in. Goliath looked beautiful.. but now it was time to add the roof rack!
The roof rack being carried by the team and welder to be installed.
Goliath in original color before.
Finished Goliath in all his glory amongst the palm grove trees of Tafroute
Close up of the Passenger wing.
Close up of the cab and box separation. The precision it must’ve taken to line it up so well like this!!
Cab with finished paint job + roof rack.
A finished Goliath + Usain da sprinter (Franx’s van) in the Sahara desert.
The roof rack in action.. a sunbathing platform + my vintage Tafroute 20MAD Toyota jeans!
How Much Did the Paint Job Cost?
Here’s our breakdown:
Paintwork: £968
Bespoke roof rack: £283
Total garage bill: £1251
Our travel costs were separate, including fuel, tolls and crossings: £1349.60
GRAND TOTAL: £2600.60
If you’re comparing this with having work done closer to home, of course those costs need to be part of the calculation. Our figures reflect the work on Goliath in 2026. Another vehicle or a different amount of preparation could produce a very different quote, but in our opinion that’s a fantastic price for a holiday, new friends made and a brand new looking truck!
Was Driving to Morocco for a Paint Job Worth It?
For us, yes. We came away with a transformed truck and a journey that became a whole chapter of our life on the road, New friends made and incredible memories we will never forget!
In fact, we loved it so much that shortly after we left.. we returned to have a full service on Goliath + a hand painted lettering piece on the back by a local artist recommended by the garage. Franx also had some amazing artwork done on his van! Take a look below.
Goliath with his new hand painted name lettering on the back.
Franx’s van Usain with hand painted artwork from the local artists two brothers Rachid + Momo recommended by the garage - @bofosrachid @itto.uk on Instagram
Local artists Rachid + Momo, brothers who work creating and painting custom pieces on peoples camper vans. @itto.uk @bofosrachid
It’s been nearly a year since we had our Moroccan paint job, and it’s held up so well. there are no flaking areas and apart from some of the black paint scratched on the locker box handles from our hands it looks brand new! If you’d like to see an update video we plan to make one on the anniversary of our journey so make sure to follow us @billyandleanne.
If we were doing it again, our main advice would be to agree exactly what the job includes, let the guys know before you confirm what your exact time frame is + don’t expect absolute show finish perfection. The team work all day outside in a desert town in the middle of Morocco. Buy them drinks + snacks and tip the workers!
If you do visit the team at Garage Chez Mohamed Farih, tell them we sent you! Show them Goliath i’m sure it will make them smile.
Most of all, choose based on the work you’ve seen and the conversations you’ve had with the people doing it :)
Watch the Journey
We filmed the trip and transformation as it happened, from the drive south to Goliath’s new look.
You can watch our “Driving to Africa for a Paint Job” series on Instagram @billyandleanne.
CLICK HERE to watch the journey from the UK - Africa
CLICK HERE for the daily progress of the paint job
For more about the home behind the paintwork, watch the project from the start of buying then building Goliath or browse the gear we use for everyday life on the road!
Thanks for reading <3 I hope this has inspired you to do something you’ve always wanted to do!
LEANNE X
