Bodywork - specialist job or not?

[bkandj]

Hi,

Had our 1985 Autosleeper about 18 months and unable to garage it, it is looking a bit sorry for itself and the rust is getting worse...

i know nothing about this kind if thing, so, is it best to go to a VW/T25 specialist for bodywork or ok to go for someone who doesn't specialise in VWs but comes highly recommended?

Thanks for your thoughts,

Sarah

[MattBW]

I went to a VW specialist who were highly recommended. I figured they'd know my van well and have experience.

As it turns out they're often found to fix any vintage vehicles and hadn't done much on t25s.

The reality is you want someone with experience, skill and just as importantly good communicators. These jobs sometimes evolve and you don't want surprises on the bill (see poor Ghosts thread). Tehse guys kept me upto date the whole way through. It did cost more that the intitial quote but they found more stuff needed doing.

Post some pics of the rust and some may be able to give you ideas.

[bkandj]

Ok thanks, will go and take some pics and post them. It is mostly rust round the seams and under the windows, the worst bit I can see is where the fridge vent is.

Where did you take yours?
Sarah

[MattBW]

I took mine to Voodoo Works in Bulkington (near Coventry), they don't have the great web presence but I can pass the number over if you want or send you their facebook page. I've had a partial restoration with them (there is a thread on here with the progress pics on here). I we used them after they fixed V's van after it was stolen, crashed and recovered and they did a great job, the van is better than ever. http://t25campervan.wordpress.com/2013/ ... priscilla/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

V's had the window rust too and that if I remember right was a relatively easy and cheap fix (excluding the paint of course). Seams too can be a simple fix but it depends how deep the rust is.

I am sure if you are passing by Coventry/Nuneaton way, they would have a look and give you an honest assessment. They do tend to have quite a waiting list but will at the very least give you a very honest opinion.

They tend to do older campers, but Russ, Nicks colleague is quite getting into the t25s.

Voodoo Works
Aircooled and watercooled vw's and scooters. paint, welding, mechanicals, 2/h parts etc Bulkington
Nick 07974054593

[eiret25]

There is a learned gentleman on here and goes by the name of metalmickey. Get those pictures up. He knows the T3 inside out from working on them over the years. I am sure he will be along shortly to offer advice

[bkandj]

I took mine to Voodoo Works in Bulkington (near Coventry), they don't have the great web presence but I can pass the number over if you want or send you their facebook page. I've had a partial restoration with them (there is a thread on here with the progress pics on here). I we used them after they fixed V's van after it was stolen, crashed and recovered and they did a great job, the van is better than ever. http://t25campervan.wordpress.com/2013/ ... priscilla/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

V's had the window rust too and that if I remember right was a relatively easy and cheap fix (excluding the paint of course). Seams too can be a simple fix but it depends how deep the rust is.

I am sure if you are passing by Coventry/Nuneaton way, they would have a look and give you an honest assessment. They do tend to have quite a waiting list but will at the very least give you a very honest opinion.

They tend to do older campers, but Russ, Nicks colleague is quite getting into the t25s.

Voodoo Works
Aircooled and watercooled vw's and scooters. paint, welding, mechanicals, 2/h parts etc Bulkington
Nick 07974054593

Thanks a lot! will take a look and probably go see them, not too far from B'ham

[bkandj]

There is a learned gentleman on here and goes by the name of metalmickey. Get those pictures up. He knows the T3 inside out from working on them over the years. I am sure he will be along shortly to offer advice

Ok thanks, will get out there tomorrow and take some photos.

[bkandj]

There is a learned gentleman on here and goes by the name of metalmickey. Get those pictures up. He knows the T3 inside out from working on them over the years. I am sure he will be along shortly to offer advice

Photos of my van in a photobucket album password protected, password:

Vanpics (capital 'V' then lower case)

Here's the link:
http://s836.photobucket.com/user/bkandj/library" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've tried to take fairly close up pics but also a view of both sides and back and front too so you can see where they are. The worst bits as far as i can see are the two rear corners where it looks like the previous owner tried to solve a leak with some roofing tape or something where the hightop roof meets the top of the back door, the 'guttering' round the roof has some rust and then the nearside around the fridge vent. I dont think there's water coming in from the roof, but the state of the cupboards next to the fridge suggest there is some getting in somewhere on the offside. There's a patch to the left of the fridge vent that looks like it could be the problem.

Would welcome advice! I'm in Birmingham so somewhere not too far would be ideal.

[MattBW]

To me those look like the usual places that these vans go rusty. Very similar to places that mine was rusty.

I would have a look underneath and see how the wheel arches as there may be more you can't see.

My initial welding bill was around 800 upto 1k with panels bought but has risen to around £1.5k with more rust found underneath. That's purely ball park though based on my dealing with my restorer and new panels not repairs, your van may be better or indeed worse. White does show rust much better than my blue one did.

Then of course there is painting on top...

[bkandj]

To me those look like the usual places that these vans go rusty. Very similar to places that mine was rusty.

I would have a look underneath and see how the wheel arches as there may be more you can't see.

My initial welding bill was around 800 upto 1k with panels bought but has risen to around £1.5k with more rust found underneath. That's purely ball park though based on my dealing with my restorer and new panels not repairs, your van may be better or indeed worse. White does show rust much better than my blue one did.

Then of course there is painting on top...

thanks for taking the time to look, the wheel arches look ok to me (but I really don't know what I'm looking at !) I'll definitely give the guys you suggest a call/visit.

cheers,

Sarah