Side Panel - Repair or Replace

[westyguesty]

After a bit of advice, and someone who can help with a repair on the van.

I have been doing the body work for a while on my van, few new panels, rear arches, steps and small rear quarters. So far so good, spraying it on the drive when we get the weather with a cheapy apollo spraymate, then lots of wet&dry First spraying i've done, so fairly happy with how it's going.

This is how the good side looks now


IMAG0071 by westyguesty, on Flickr

This is the problem on the other side, a dent, but also the main panel bowed out. The panel isn't too bad except the obvious, but do you think it's possible to get the lower replacement panel (to replace the primer area), and repair the rest ? I have looked for a decent repair panel to do the lot from roughly the water filler / electric socket down, but no luck. There does't seem to be much rust behind the lower panel from I can see (only got the fridge out at the moment). The rest of the van hasn't been too bad rust wise either.
Any ideas / options / volunteers ? Don't need it painted just made straight.


IMAG0067 by westyguesty, on Flickr


IMAG0069 by westyguesty, on Flickr


IMAG0068 by westyguesty, on Flickr

Thanks,

James

[Cruz]

I can't see your images at work because Flikr is banned but when I did that side I couldn't see anything wrong when the fridge was out. But once I removed the kitchen unit and the floor I found

See blue van here https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ar ... chen_panel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The floor had disintegrated and had seriously rotted the inner sill beneath too. Thankfully VW panels were available at the time (unlike now) which meant I only had to fabricate a piece from the seam up to the swage line where the electric socket went

[CovKid]

Cruz is spot on. In fact, you may well find that once you've removed outer sill section as here: https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ar ... outer_sill" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - it will give you a straight line and the upper panel will follow it, pulling everything square again.

[Plasticman]

Well I have to agree.... looking at the pickies and theyre not that clear but it really does look like there is more than just seam rust, I may be wrong but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
mike

[westyguesty]

I agree, it will need a new panel, and probably some work behind that, I will egt the kitchen out and have a better look and try to get some pictures of behind there. As that panels available and seen some of the great repairs some people have done on here, i'm sure someone can do the repair for me. More worried about the panel higher than the standard repair panel, they is bowed out. It is very solid at this point, no rot at all, just out of shape. Do you think this can be saved, or do I need to try to get a decent full sized panel ?

Cheers

[Aidan]

genuine panel is full height cut out and use what you need with or without window frame depending on caravelle or converted panel van and bottom most section is outer sill panel - outer panel, inner and outer sills all attach to floor, couple of hundred euro for full panel van panel plus shipping and tax

[Plasticman]

Your lucky in a way as the fridge panal is easy enough to get at and replace, as Aiden has said there will be the usual horrors behind there, certainly want doing at this satge as it will' never be easier'! now where have I heard that before
mike

[Jonnyb416]

And if you ever need this panel (where ive highlighted in orange) the n/s short sill, I'm your man. It costs £24 + delivery from Schofields. I have the same Schofields panel brand new but will do £21 delivered, just let me know. Jon. Good luck

[westyguesty]

Looks like a complete new panel is the way to go though, even though the existing is solid, I doubt anyone would be able to get it straight easily. Do the replacement panel include the panel right to the bottom aswell (lower sill) ?
Where can I get it from for a few hundred euro's and it that genuine ? Don't really want a panel that big non genuine as I guess it would dent easily.

Cheers

[Plasticman]

Denting easy isnt the main prob, there is a stiffener behind that helps but yes they are thin sheet, the panal would consist of the lower sill and upper (tall bit) where these two join is a horizontal plate that forms part of the floor and boxes the sill in, I'll have a look for the one I did,
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 6&start=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
this I think and the next page or so is how its done with sepparate panals as opposed to pattern one piece wrap over stuff
mike

[Aidan]

genuine panels from vw-classicparts.de
Brickwerks orders from classic a couple of times a week, I order from classic most weeks, Heritage are also distributor for classic
not all panels are still available and we are working on classic to remanufacture those that have gone as they are the ones most people need, they should still have the original press tools, allegedly in storage in Poland, just hope they haven't melted them down, and they have the old presses at Hanover they used before the T5 line was built and they use those for making spares

[westyguesty]

Had a quick look on the site, but can't see the side panel, can see the repair panel and the full rear quarter panel, but not the one I need. Am I doing something wrong, or do I need to try and fine the part number ?

Thanks

[jimpainter]

I think vw heritage listed them but out of stock at the min.
But at about £456 they aint cheap. Im cant remember if that had factory window or was just a panel van side though

[westyguesty]

Bit more than the few hundred euro's I was hoping. Might be worth looking for a decent second hand one then.

[Aidan]

heritage's mark up is often 100%
panel van is 251 809 159
velle is 253 809 159