Rot around windows

[bigblue]

Hi folks,

I recently viewed a bus with a view to buying. It needed a few new panels, whole rear door and slider door skin which for it's age and price were to be expected but the thing that put me off was that it had substantial rot around the bottom of the rear side windows, the back two to the point that the actual inside had rotted away. How easy (or hard) would it be to replace these areas?

Would it be a case of cutting sections off a donor bus?

thanks

[jimpainter]

I,m guessing from the way you have described it they are panel van conversion windows?
If it has rotted the inside on the slider side, you will more than likely need to remove the sliding door track as that will probably have rot behind it.
Its not really difficlt to do, just making some of the shapes takes the time (depending on how bad it is)

Pictures will help.
jim

[bigblue]

sent you PM Jim.

Just out of interest how much would it cost to have this sort of thing put right on the two rear windows (lets go worst case scenario)?

[boatbuilder]

Realistically once you start work on these vans, you discover a LOT more than you bargained for.
If the side windows are rusted, then chances are that the arches are rusty too, as the water runs down the inside and rots it from the inside out.
The driver's side sill is commonly rusted too, due to condensation and leaky windows.
Also count on having to replace more than a few panels. When you cut out the old panel, there will be rust on the bits underneath, which will also need cutting out and replacing with hand-made sections before you can put your new panels on.
The bit behind the sliding door track is tricky because you can't buy repair panels for it....uts either hand made parts or a cut from a donor.

[andyb]

how much would it cost to have this sort of thing put right on the two rear windows (lets go worst case scenario)?

Honestly youd be cheapest using the money to buy a reasonable welding machine as there will be lots more to put right thats for definite.
Then you can have the fun of learning how to weld.

[Wookster]

The above advice is spot on, it will cost as much to have a window repaired to a good standard as buying a welder. Materials wise it's a few quid in metal but loads of labour.

The exterior is fairly easy as it's flat, so you can use the window and the rubber to make a template for the new section as below and weld it in.



Interior is a bit more difficult as you would need to create curved sections or possibly use fibreglass if it's not structural.