Rusty Kitchen Panel

[B.J]

Hi,
I've just started stripping out my old interior and I found this fiberglass window mold.

Which came off the kitchen panel opposite the sliding door,
It's also revealed some rust in the panel. Not much but that's what I need advice about really.


here's the worst bit.

Like I say, not really that bad but I'd like to get it sorted whilst everything's out.
Should I cut it out and investigate below? There's a bit of a rash on the outer skin?
Secondly, I'm assuming that the fiberglass window surround was made by the conversion company, is there a steel factory panel
version that was used on caravelles etc? My rear window has it's own steel surround.

Thanks for any advice.

J

[boatbuilder]

From the row of spot welds, something has been welded from outside recently....

[B.J]

I see what you're saying but I'd expect to see a seem somewhere and it looks (to my eye) pretty straight both sides.

[Plasticman]

well sorry but therte is lots of filler in therte, its quite visible on the fridge panal and the rear end as well ,
looks like they have stuck a bit of a panal on the outside and just tacked it through , bit amateurish but if a self donr job then its ok , they have failed to tackle the issue of the sill area though which leads me to think it was a cover up and blow over for a sale
mm

[B.J]

That's a bummer. The bottom part does have a "roller" finish to it. I'll take some better pics tomorrow.
How can I check for sure that it's full of filler. And if it is, then what? Complete panel replacement?
Should the interior of the kitchen panel look like the rear panel with reinforcements and a steel window surround
or did panel vans not have that?

Cheers

[Plasticman]

Theres nothing wrong with the moulding for around the window, its one of the better ways of finnishing a panal van cut out, with regard to the lower panal , well from what i can see I would suggest that the panal was merely laid over the top of the existing metal and spotted through (holes in the plate will have been drilled first) there is not a problem with filler as long as its for getting bthe finnished surface something like as opposed to filling to cover bad work or lack of work as is often the case, how you proceed will depend on the state of your motc
mm

[billy739]

dosent seem to be much of a sill panel seam line!

minimal spot welds hoping to prevent distortion!


as said , just means its covering the old rust

[B.J]

Yes, you're right. Looked at it again this morning with fresh eyes and a bit more knowledge, It's definitely bodged. It will probably have to come out so I can get to the sill.
How long would it take to do that job at a body shop?
The good news is that the rear panel seems to be all steel .

This is taken with the rear light removed.

From underneath.

Cheers