Welding - should I, shouldn't I?

Post by **DivingDaisee** » 15 Aug 2008, 13:34

Hey KarlT, are you repainting your van with the same colour? If so have you found one that matches?

This is the same colour as ours was originally - later painted with something close to RAL3000 (AKA postman pat red). Just got a spray can of RAL3000 as it looked good on the RAL chart only to find it is almost identicle to what we have now. Would like to go back to the original as the inside is still that colour.

Post by **KarlT** » 16 Aug 2008, 11:48

Nah, Nato Green for me!

There is a certain pleasure from having a paint job you don't have to give a second thought to! Not to think about that shopping trolleys rolling, how close that other car is parked, keys in hand while opening door, jack handles, screw-drivers slipping while trying to get that rusty screw out ....etc etc.

Suits me!

Post by **dugcati** » 16 Aug 2008, 22:58

Hey love the inspection hatch for checking tyre treads. No need to get out - just glance down. I want one!

I already got one! am doing a repair to the B pillar right up where the wheel arch meets on the nearside - the only way I can get to the bit I need to repair is by going in through the top!

Post by **kevtherev** » 17 Aug 2008, 10:54

[img:375:500]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/263 ... e22743.jpg[/img]

easier with a new panel some still available from VW

[img:500:375]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/263 ... 8fdc96.jpg[/img]

end caps from JK... and second hand bumpers are cheap

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 17 Aug 2008, 12:36

I tell you what, two to three years after buying mine for about £480 in Ebay (without seeing it), I've started to realise how little rust there is on my bus. I guess the question I'd have, is given that most rust trap areas are becoming well known, where would I start to stop future ingess and with what? I can see these vehicles commanding as much dosh as splitties do now - well, providing petrol doesn't run out...

Maybe a 'rust' diagram in WIKI wouldn't go amiss.

Post by **Chrissyt** » 17 Aug 2008, 13:59

I think thats a good Idea CovKid, I'm a newbie, and mine isn't too bad, but surely there are common areas that seem to go, and also where to get good panels as alot of the aftermarket ones are useless?

Do VW still do panels?? They dont still press them do they?

I've just repaired one of my steps today, its had a few patches before, so i'd say steps for a start? Seems as though people repair em and dont put any where for the water to drain???

Chris

Post by **Adrian244** » 17 Aug 2008, 17:51

I also had this dilemma. I spent a few weeks reading up and watching the tutorials on mig-welding.co.uk and then purchased a Clarke pro 90 from machine mart (£150)
I found the Ar/CO2 mix gas was best for me.

The 90A is more than enough for anything I came against. On the minimum setting it was only just possible to butt weld arcg sections together.

Never welded before and had two days of frustration and setbacks but it came good after some failed attempts. Just grind off and start again.

Get a flap wheel thing for your grinder - fab bit of kit. Also used a few 115mm grinding disks and 2 bottles of gas.

I have put plates in both front steps, grafted sections of new arch in on both rears, replaced one rear panel behind the bumper and two plates under the snorkel box.

Here's a during and after pic.. still got some painting to do but you get the idea.

If anyones half tidy on the tools I'd say go on give it a go!
[IMG:640:480]http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x297 ... before.jpg[/img]
[IMG:640:480]http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x297 ... eafter.jpg[/img]
[IMG:640:480]http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x297 ... rafter.jpg[/img]