Front panel welding ££ ??

[Tatty Chap]

Decided im fed up with the front panel looking like its got leprosy, its way too tricky (and probably far gone) to manage it on my own.

Reckon it needs a new bottom half a panel welded in its place (Its Aircooled so will have to somehow cut a section from a watercooled front panel and weld it in, I want to keep it looking like an Aircooled, ie no radiator hole)

Ive never even looked at the cost of welding before. What would you say is a typical price for such work (will prob spray it myself afterwards to save cash) ???
Oh and I think id buy the panel myself too

If it makes a difference im S. London.

[toolsntat]

Not 100% sure but think someone mentioned recently the lower a/c panel was now available....

Would make life easier

[richnewton]

schofields had them at vanfest, tho he did sell out i noticed by sunday.

[Tatty Chap]

I had bit of a rake out, and its pretty bad in there.

Will I be allowed to drive it like this ?

[Tatty Chap]

Well

I can get the bottom section from Schofields for around £50.
Quote to weld it and finish it circa £300

It never ends (Those rear panels need doing but im in denial)

[72BUG]

Well

I can get the bottom section from Schofields for around £50.
Quote to weld it and finish it circa £300

It never ends (Those rear panels need doing but im in denial)

Hi there.

Can you give me contact details for Schofields please as mine is going in the same place.

[Damien]

i'd weld and finish it for a bit cheaper than that if you want.....

[alkers]

Hi Tattychap. Mine in similar dia straits ... but brown!! Daren't rack it out though - you are brave. Also got probs in windscreen corners. You have spurred me on though, and I will try and get some quotes on Sat to compare. What we need is a nice friendly welder who likes working on Sunday afternoons in South London!!

Where in South London are you?

Might see you at Apps Court? We can compare rust! Maybe we can have a rub down and fill party!?!?

(Just realised that could sound incredibly dodgy )

[Tatty Chap]

Hi Alkers, yeah I may pop to Apps court as well

Damien (above) seems sound .

Oh...schofields = http://www.ahschofield.co.uk/vanPics80-91/contents.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ermie571]

Alkers/TattyChap,

My van is with Damien at the moment.....I have seen the pictures....needs an 18 rating its that scary....!!!!

Damien will be at Apps....will be worth having a word....and he is bringing the pictures....we can have a "my rust is worse than yours" competition. And he isn't far from south London....Junction 4a of the M3. May even have Ritchie back to touch lovingly where there is new metal!!

Em
x

[Tatty Chap]

Well Il tell you what, im glad I finally took the bull by the horns.

Its kind of a cathartic feeling ramming a chisel in there with hatred of the bubbles.
Once you pull all the soily rust-crud out, its almost nice to see some metal there rather than sick looking "rust pustules of satan"

Il bung some gaffer over it for Brighton Breeze, and stick in the "show'n'shame"

[alkers]

I understand Tatty Chap. My red electrical tape has peeled off my windscreen holes with all this rain. It clashed anyway - maybe parcel tape is a better option!

Look forward to seeing you all there!! Sounds like fun - although I can see Christmas will be cancelled this year!

[Tatty Chap]

Oh windows.......

I forgot about them... nasty bodged filler on my rear aftermarket windows. Im hoping that wont need welding, just some thorough taking back and filling. A job for next year I think. Trouble is, coz the rust is pushing out the rubber, its only going to let in more water. may have to whack some black silicone in there :S

Weird thing is that the undercarriage is sound as a pound.

[CovKid]

Tis possible to do that bottom panel with a standard section of angled steel. just cut slots in one edge and tack it round.

[Damien]

Indeed it could, but looking at the picture it would be easier if you bought the panel as it is really close to raised edge and for best results you'll be looking at taking about an inch more than what you can see bubbling through to get back to solid (like new) metal. To fabricate a panel with the raised section with the correct curve would be more than £50.