The GASWAGON (act III)

[Plasticman]

Well,setting about the front now all the bits are here, finding a few nasties that will require work
why use filler when you can seal

bits on bits

this bit isnt fastened to the A post, this skin should be crimped round the a post lip itself, but had been unfolded to allow the repair and pulling of the floor , they should have crimped it back on , only takes a min ute


o/s is the same ..pod on paint on rot

here is where the last repairer migged it on the outside of the seam and left the wire

it was then sanded over and left

trial alignment


this is the part of the replacement defo panel that i have kept for this purpose

fit of these copy panels are always high here

so now we have the next issue

and here we have a discrepancy

the panels have not got enough curve in them and as the lip on the rear is spotted on it holds it in this wrong shape, so will have to reform it,.my own lower repair panels fit better.
now as we look up from underneath you will see the inner flange overhangs the defo panel by a good 1/2"


so lots of fettling here and the lower A posts to remake
mm

[Plasticman]

and i will try to redo some of the poorer quality/focused picks
mm

[kevtherev]

Ah at last..

[lloydy]

Had no idea there was that amount of filler at the bottom of the A pillars! surely the time taken to get it looking right = the time taken to do it properly?

[Plasticman]

dunno really , see when im making it good as to whether pod was quicker
mm

[lloydy]

Point taken
That welding rod is funny, especially seeing as they even ran the grinder over it!

[Plasticman]

well , its 0.8 mig wire actually, and it was stuck in the seam so they wizzed over it, i just flicked it with some 120g to show the grind marks , for a laugh......also i prefer 0.6 for this work but each to there own really.
ref our dicussion this morning, these are the picks i took as we progressed, well a few were on the return, which is why the signal dropped i took the odd one to remind me of being on the bike.......... well its thread drift but it was terribly busy out on the roads this lunchtime.........


the wood above has loads of snowdrops in it but couldnt take the picky and drive



ref the bits, yes what we discussed makes sense, also got the 2 beds, very very nice
mm

[lloydy]

I saw one car, must be rush hour
I'm just trying to source a antenna windscreen as well...

[Plasticman]

oh , i will have a word tonight, you want green upper tint?
mm

[lloydy]

The company that you or Xriss sent me the link to are not replying to emails. Bernd jeager sells a full green tint one for a good price, I've sent him a mail today asking if he will post it to the uk. I'll be phoning vw on Monday as well.
But yes either green full tint or green top tint, if you hear of any new ones for sale

[lloydy]

Well, i'm a 1/4 of the way there as i've secured one of the VW boosters for the screen arial. Kindly being posted on from Germany by club member

[Plasticman]

well im posting from my sick bed.......................
cooler is about done, just waiting on the inlet plate being cut and the fan mount, the former will be conical so this unit will have a nice cad input

just a taster
im remaking the ends of the legs to affix the defo panel whilst i await delivery of a nice genuine frontpanel

same at either end


this is now done save for drilling a few holes for welding.
the ends of the front 1/4 are not so happy so am attending to these

off

will make it in 2 parts, the bit missing is not flat, it has a recess around it to sit under the defo end closure plate
also the part to the right is seen and is very rusty so no point messing, will cut this out and remake, idea being all shiny metal and will make it a pleasure to do.
mm

[lloydy]

is that bit at the bottom of the A pillar a normal rust spot? dont think i've seen that on your other threads

[Plasticman]

Well there is some rust there but yours is as bad as ive seen in a while
So we start with this on the os

all the crap cut out the way

first forming all in decent gauge

in place

the reccess is to accept the closure of the defo section ends
plumb line down the seams to confirm lateral placement

same on the ns

new bit added, its hard to see the shape here,but it is there

and the remnant on the new front will be let in

from the inside.this is all in the raw and will be tidied up later

i use these to reset the folded edges on this and door skins etc

loke this

ive another picky of the osf to add when i find it
now for the crash repair............................................i had my suspiciuons and these have been confirmed but first


here is where the guys that can do decent work have cut a corner,more in a minute but the holes were filled with silicone sealant (clear)

and

see this little scrunched up bit

and this bit of filler

they have cut the os corner away and either rejoined or whatever here and i will see how theyve welded it when i get this crap off But, they have leaded it so 10/10 there

so i think i will get the paint stripper out on this corner at least as im not comfy proceeding with unknown repairs under it all,
again i cant weld it all together till i have the lower front, so if that dont arrive tomoz then its step cuttings
mm

[lloydy]

wow, so it looks like that A pillar/ corner has had half of it replaced? Been in some wars hasn't it!
Still can't believe the rust on the window frame Amazing how this stuff can be hidden.
Nice work on forming the metal on the bits you 'let in' . Much better with no filler there