Panel repairs and suppliers?

Post by **Chrissyt** » 21 Jul 2008, 19:50

Any tips for replacing panels etc oand repairing rust?

Looking to replace a section of the rear wheel arch and also lower corner, what is the best way to do this? also best suppliers? ahscofield?

I'm a welder so not to fussed about tackling it, just wondered what peoples experience with it was as i've never repaired bodywork before

I'm looking at cutting the piece i need out of replacement panels an joggling the edges, and using a series of spot welds to keep the heat down? then sand the welds flush then filler?

What aboout stopping water getting behind the jointt?????

!!

Cheers!!!

Post by **kevtherev** » 21 Jul 2008, 19:55

Chrissyt wrote:Any tips for replacing panels etc oand repairing rust?

Looking to replace a section of the rear wheel arch and also lower corner, what is the best way to do this? also best suppliers? ahscofield?

yes

I'm looking at cutting the piece i need out of replacement panels an joggling the edges, and using a series of spot welds to keep the heat down? then sand the welds flush then filler?

no filler just a seam sealer

What aboout stopping water getting behind the jointt?????

waxoyl interior or waxoyl exterior underseal

Post by **Chrissyt** » 21 Jul 2008, 19:58

seam sealer on the external or internal?

Post by **kevtherev** » 21 Jul 2008, 20:00

external...
cant think of it's name ... sikaflex I think

Post by **Chrissyt** » 21 Jul 2008, 20:12

cant be seam sealer as this is for the inside of joints that are lap welded together to stop water getting in between, unless thats what you mean?

you must have to give a light skim of filler to remove the sander marks etc?

Post by **jamesc76** » 21 Jul 2008, 20:23

your right weld it up grind it up and skim it with filler then use high build primer then paint and laquer (sp) seam sealer is for as it sound for the seams between panels not for around repair sections! As you put your a metal sticker i take it you weld good thick clean fresh steel just remeber this metal is a lot thinner and need to turn your welder down alot!!

Post by **kevtherev** » 21 Jul 2008, 20:26

yeah thats what I meant ...sorry... sealer for seams not repairs..

thanks James

Post by **Chrissyt** » 22 Jul 2008, 17:41

Cheers bud!!!!

Yep but i weld all thicknesses so aware of the prob with heat and buckling!

I was going to to joggle the panel and put some holes so i could put small puddle welds is it worth it?

Chris

Post by **jamesc76** » 22 Jul 2008, 17:46

yeah can do give an easier edge to fill etc just remeber to make it a tight finish, and weld through primer to give some rust prevension, plus if you can get behind it wang some waxoil on back of repair, i would space the holes for plug welding about inch apart max

Post by **Chrissyt** » 22 Jul 2008, 18:04

sweet ta,

i'll stick some piccies up when i've given it a shot

Post by **Chrissyt** » 22 Jul 2008, 18:05

ooh, did you mean just filler the join edge or weld along it? i.e leave it be held together by the puddle welds?

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 22 Jul 2008, 18:14

You`ll get a better job if you replace the complete panel where possible, so the rear arch panel isn`t to bad as it`s quite small, same with lower rear corners. Cut the old panel out right back to the original seams, clean up the flanges, locate the new panels into place clamping round the flange edges till it`s all flush and square, then weld. Will have been spot-welded joints originally, so you could punch holes and puddle through the flanges to get a neat job. I`d use some weld-through primer on the bare metal flange joints before welding, then seam sealer in the joint, then primer and paint as described. MAIN THING is to get the REAR of the seam joints sealed to stop water getting in and coming back through the joints from the inside, which is the most common problem with the T25 panels. Seam sealer, Waxoyl or Dinitrol for any internal sections etc.

Panels either from VW dealer if still available, or Schofield stuff loks OK quality.

Post by **jamesc76** » 22 Jul 2008, 18:15

it all depends where it is your welding really but start with pudles then if not sitting exact could always weld it up totally just watch you dont put to much heat into it these panels warp dead easy!!!!! If the pudles have got it nice and tight could just fill it !

Post by **Chrissyt** » 22 Jul 2008, 21:01

thanks guysvery helpful,

are the pattern parts bigger than the area i need to repair if i did a whole panel?
i.e are the repair sections larger so i can lap the repair section under the panel if i took the old right out to the seam?? its lower arch and the bottom corner that are a bit nasty, so ??

havn't collected the van or decided which panel to buy, i.e wheel arch or whole rear panel?yet so cant eye anything up.

Cheers
Chris

Post by **DivingDaisee** » 22 Jul 2008, 21:40

You can practice on mine if you like

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Panel repairs and suppliers?

Panel repairs and suppliers?

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