Club 80-90 Forums

Well, having had the van a couple of years or so now and having done nothing more to the bodywork other than wash it a few times I really think it's time I got it sorted...

So, anyway, I've been down to a local bodyshop and had a chat and got a ball park quote of £3.5-4K plus any parts such as new panels and seals. To include rot/rust resto with welding and panel work and a windows out respray inc door shuts etc. 2-3 weeks work.

Below are a few pics of all the bits of rust that are worth picturing...



Below is the panel that backs on to the shower cubicle so there's a good chance it's pretty rotten on the inside...
















These pictures really are the worst of it, anything else is just spots. Underneath seems sound also.


So do you think the quote is about right? My worry is that I end up with a great respray... but it only last a year 'cos the resto was below par as they didn't know the vehicle. I'd really like the resto to be done by someone who knows T25s but my search seems a bit fruitless.
What doesn't help is that I use my van to work away in so having it off the road for a long period of time isn't an option. Ideally the work needs to be done in stages so I don't have to rip all of the interior out until the latter parts... or it needs to be done in one sitting and very quickly ie 2-3 weeks? Am I living in a dream world or is it possible to get the work done properly like this?

I have considered the "Roller" but with it being in use all the time I'd hate to get in a mess with a bumper off or a window out because I didn't know how to put it back together - never done anything like this before!

So, what should I do?

a lot of the cost will be labour.as there is a lot of work involved there.the interior will need removing.as for doing it in bits nah.its best done all at once.as for price only you can best judge that.but i would say it sounds about right for the amount work involved..

R0B wrote:a lot of the cost will be labour.as there is a lot of work involved there.the interior will need removing.as for doing it in bits nah.its best done all at once.as for price only you can best judge that.but i would say it sounds about right for the amount work involved..

Thanks Rob, I thought it was about right for the work but I'm just hesitant about letting them loose on it when they may not know the "isms" of these vehicles...

I'd like to get a few more quotes maybe so does anyone know any good bodyshops in the Tamworth area?

Would it be cheaper to buy a less rotting van?

Tis a tough one.

I had exactly the same call to make beginging of the year. Price is about average, I found VW body shops wanted a bit more.

I will post up some pic's soon. My van has been stripped bare, eight repair panels and two doors later it's still looking rough.

IMHO van has to be mechanicaly sound and mean something to you to spend that sort of cash.

4K + you van should get you a good van. But after saying all that I would do it again tommorow.

Kev

eatcustard wrote:Would it be cheaper to buy a less rotting van?

It probably would but it's not exactly the "VW" way as far as I'm concerned as that just leads to more vans being considered beyond worth for anything other than scrap... and also I LOVE MY VAN! Yeah, it's let me down a few times (not as many as most) I think I understand the van's quirks now... and as far as I'm concerned it's the best layout for my needs and I would be prepared to bet that there isn't another one about for sale in a condition that wouldn't require some work to get it exactly how I want... I think I've convinced myself!

Would still appreciate any recommendations for bodyshops in and around Tamworth area!

Sorry, have you got a shower cubicle in you van? Post some pics.

Shower cubicle? May I hazzard a guess at you having a dehler? If so, and in spirit of the VW way, I would say it's worth doing the work. The price sounds about right (but be sure to leave a Schofields catalogue in the van!) and results should be great. I'd get the price written and fully agreed and just check on their gaurentee of work. If they are a proper garage it shouldn't matter what vehicle it is, they should just know how to do their job right!

Good luck!

Why dont you save yourself about 3.5k and do the work yourself if you think youre capable.

Im currently sorting out the bodywork on mine. Ive replaced a rear arch im doing the other arch at the moment and need to do the bit on the front same as yours.

Never done it before and have picked it up as i go along, total cost once painted about £300 plus a welder and many many hours

If you've got a local VW owners club/forum, there will be local people on there who will be restoration experts or who will be able to recommend someone good...it's all down to word of mouth and recommendation. Can't offer any advice on price but you will probably get a better job done with someone trustworthy than opting for a garage you think might be ok at their job. It's a big thing 'resto' work and I'd suggest any garage worth their mouth would take photos of all the work done as they go along to 'prove' the job and also for you to have a portfolio of work done should you need to sell the van to get a good price and also to get an agreed valuation with your insurance company should something happen to your van. Hope you sort it out.

el sketcho wrote:Sorry, have you got a shower cubicle in you van? Post some pics.

chuckle-bus-tom wrote:Shower cubicle? May I hazzard a guess at you having a dehler? If so, and in spirit of the VW way, I would say it's worth doing the work. The price sounds about right (but be sure to leave a Schofields catalogue in the van!) and results should be great. I'd get the price written and fully agreed and just check on their gaurentee of work. If they are a proper garage it shouldn't matter what vehicle it is, they should just know how to do their job right!

Good luck!

Yeah I have a small shower cubicle which is great and also provides a handy place to stash the loo! Will post some pics when I get a chance. It's not a Dehler though, it's the Autocruiser Diamond RV.

Here you go...

Just to give you an idea of the overall layout the curtain visible in this pic is rear window...


Not the biggest shower cubicle but I'm only 5ft2 so it's fine for me!


Loo stashes away on the shelfy bit to the right when driving so the cubicle provides extra useful space for packing all the other bits and bobs...

to do the job properly you will need to remove the interior

from my experience of chopping these vans onve you see the rust outside the inside is much worse!

you will need to access the inside of the rear arches/top of the inner sills inside ect, if you dont then you might as well roller it.
the fuel cap area is a good one , most of the time under the sealer the B pillar has rotted through , this helps the front jacking point rot through.

if you need it daily then i suggest attacking some of these places eack weekend, ie fuel neck out , strip the sealer/panel and get one welded in , painted and sealed underneath, you can primer/top coat the outside to protect it.

work around the van then its just in for the external body prep/paint

*** UPDATE ***

Well after waiting for what seemed like an eternity the bodywork on the van is almost done!!! In the end I found a local VW specialist who quoted a good price and had a good recommendation from a neighbour with a Bay.

Took it in on Thursday 12th August...

This is how it looked on the following Monday...











...and this is how it looked today when we went for a visit...















I just can't believe how good it looks... me and my gf just stood in the garage giggling! Can't wait to pick it up on Thursday and get it packed up ready for a weekend away. What's even better is that the mechanic had a quick shufty at my “tractor-sounding” exhaust and realised he had a backbox in good nick out the back that would fit... should save me a few quid as the next job was a full stainless steel system (which the piggy bank wasn't looking forward to!)

Sweet!

How much did it all cost in the end?