Club 80-90 Forums

just got my van back from a garage, I asked them to weld in some new panels that I had been collecting, all body cuts form vans as I don't really like pattern panels. so I had a full sill and a full rear panel. I know these need more work as you have to pick them apart but I thought at least the quality is there.

I cant believe they didn't use the full panels and cut right in the middle of the massive panel! I mean I had the whole panel! Why didn't they use it? I didn't really say anything at the time as I just couldn't believe it, only when I got home I realised, sorry for venting here im just in shock and deciding what to do, I payed cash and have no receipt!

I havnt said im really disappointed with it to them, I asked how I would get it straight and they said bridging filler a nd filler and more filler, bu looking at it no way filler would get that straight.

heres the damage.

Goodness gracious me .....i take it that they didnt come recommended.

dont get much rougher does it
mm

no they were just local and seemed really nice guys...into their VWs I mean they have campers there and bugs etc, I just didn't fiqure anyone could (f)muck it up that much! I mean I had the whole rear quarter of the van! The cut was huge! literally the corner.

and the the full sill too!

Dunno what to suggest as you paid cash. The only thing I think to try is go back and calmly explain what a complete gash up it is and how you had the entire panel, plus how that isn't 'fillable' and ask for your money back. Still won't compensate for the lay out you made for the replacement panel but better than nothing. If their reputation is based on their VW collection/interest you could I suppose play the 'word of mouth' card and name and shame on all the VW forums.

Jeez - that's shocking!

yeah I will calmly say Im not happy with it, I just wanted a second opinion, I mean this isn't acceptable is it? I care more about the van than the cash. I guess it all has to come off and get started again. Im really disheartened and tempted to just part the van out now! Its just so butchered. Whats annoying is I coulda done better myself I just don't have the time to do it.

being into something means diddly squat whatever the occupation, they say water will find its own level, well someone left the plug out.....
reading it,,, you assumed they knew how to do it correctly and didnt ask, they know its a lot of work to unpick the van and do that let-in on the fridge side , let alone unpicking the donor stuff, whats it like on the inside?
im not saying the way I do them is perfect at least make an effort,
ball park cost to date, pm if you prefer,
also i would want to see a lot more detail before even bothering to try make it good, whats the rest of your van like
mm

the rest of van needs doing as well, I just saved up the panels and wanted to get what I hade got put iin, it needs the frontdoing and the rear quarter the other side and the passenger step, so this is like a 500 £ set back! not sure if its worth continuing.

If you want this done properly the best person to do this work is somebody who has worked as a coachbuilder, which is a specialist skill and not for the enthusiastic mechanic. Where do you live? There must be somebody near to you that one of us can recommend.

currently im in Northampton,so if you know anyone?

more pics for MM

I think that was not a new panel.

Oh I read your first post again But that welding is not worth any penny.

That is appalling work
I would go back and ask for a receipt then take them to court !

i look at it from 2 ways, if its something youve done for yourself then its fine, ok could be better but i have seen worse, but for a company or whatever to turn that sort of crap out ,just shows how it would then be filled with pod and sealed inside and who's the wiser, which is why i have zero time for "firms/proffesionals" that fail to take decent picks of the job.
oh and iwould have the lot off and do it again correctly,even a pattern rear wing has to be better than that, the fridge panal you can as you know only get the crappy overpanal which is why i make the top and inners
mm