How long do these kinda things take???

[daschmoo]

Right then I really need to get some stuff done on the van but don't really know how long the various processes tend to take?

The van is really begining to look faded and tatty and I wanna get it a new paintjob. The thing is it will definitely need some welding doing as there is rust in all the usual places (not too bad) apart from around the water filler cap where ther is actually a hole about 1cm long and behind the shower cubicle where there is a little bubbling mid panel rather than just the seams. Also the wheel arches will need some serious grinding and welding me thinks. I've never had a vehicle that's needed cosmetics as such so what sort of time frames does this kind of work take are we talking a couple of days away from home for the welding or is it more of a case of a week or two?

Also another, even more stupid question, does the interior have to be removed to do all this welding work??? I feel very dumb asking but this van is my home 50% of the time as I use it to work away from home in so if it's gonna be a case of it being un-useable for a few weeks then I'll either have to fork out for hotels or buy a stand-in camper! Finally, once the resto work is done how long does a typical decent paintjob take?

[wackos00]

Unfortunatly how long is a piece of string, are you planning to do the work your self? if not I guess you need to find a good body shop in your area (ask on here for a recomondation) and take it round to be looked at. If your doing it yourself put up some pics if you can.

[daschmoo]

Well obviously I wasn't expecting an exact answer to my question! And bearing in mind I'm asking these kind of questions probably tells you that I'm gonna be getting someone else to do the work! All I'm really wanting is a gauge so that I can plan my method of attack Like I said in my first post, because my van is in service fulltime rather than just a summer play thing then working out the logistics is gonna be the deal make/breaker. Also I don't particularly wann look like a total t*t when I go in for quotes and stuff as obviously the longer stuff takes then the more man hours and the more wonga required!

So has anyone else sent there little van away to be tidied up as a job lot rather than doing bits here and there themselves? If so what kinda time frame for how much work?

Also I'm still blushing for an answer to the removal of the interior question when welding!

And surely there can't be that much of a piece of string issue once the van is in tip top shape ready for respraying?

[Mushr00m]

I would have thought if you're getting it resprayed, you'll have them do the welding as well. A full respray including welding repairs would take approximitely 7 to 10 days if they're professional & are doing it properly. So in my opinion you should plan for being vanless for at least 7 to 10 working days.

The chances are, whoever does the work will need to get to both sides of the area being welded. If you have combustible materials in that area, they'll all have to be removed prior to welding.

The real question is, are you going to remove it all yourself or pay someone £27+ an hour to do it for you?

Hope this helps & best of luck.

[Red Westie]

Very difficult to give a time given that there are so many variables involved and remembering that your van won't be the only vehicle they are working on. 7-10 days may well be the total hours spent on the van but as it is very unusual for a bodyshop to work on just one vehicle at a time you should expect those days to be spread over 3 to 4 weeks. This kind of repair is regarded as pretty major as far as they are concerned but much depends on what kind of a job you are talking about. A quick fill and respray or a complete windows out and down to bare metal etc.
The bodyshop has had my California for 6 weeks and now into the 7th....hopefully I might be getting it back this weekend.
Mine sounds similar to yours but all the repairs are panels and metal, no filler or fibreglass....you gets what you pay for and it definately is...how longs a piece of string.
Martin

[Bilbo Blue]

Mine has just been done.
I stripped everything out as welding had to be done on various parts.
Main reason was last time I had it done I sprayed all the insides of the panels with waxoil, which likes to catch fire when heated
I also stripped everything off of the outside ready for the job.
The spray shop still had the van for two weeks.
Then it took a couple of weeks to put everthing back in and on it.

[daschmoo]

Thanks for all of your replies - it's definietly given me something to work with. I think I'll work with my estimated worst case scenario now which makes me think I'll be without a van for about 2 months as the interior removal and re-installation will have to also be factored in.... and as I was planning a re-upholstery jobby aswell I might as well do it all at the same time now.... gonna have to save up some more dosh I think!!!

Is there anything to stop me from getting the welding and resto work done and then waiting to get the proper respray. I guess what I am asking is, is the resto gonna leave the van safe from the elements?

Thanks again for all the help

[albertramsbottom]

Just had mine done by a mate in a feild, bodywork as well (a lot of it), respray, pearlescent red

A couple more things to do and it took 6 days and I paid £500 - mates rates

Cheers

[ojsmith]

Just had mine done by a mate in a feild, bodywork as well (a lot of it), respray, pearlescent red

A couple more things to do and it took 6 days and I paid £500 - mates rates

Cheers

we could all do with that kind of mate!