Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all. I have just purchased a 1985 T25 Campervan. The bodywork is in generally good condition but there is rust bubbling up around the bottom of the rear windows. I want to have a go at repairing it myself. I figure it would take a weekend to get the windows out, sand it back and hand paint it, but I do not have the tools to do the job, or anywhere to store the Van overnight while the windows are out. I was wondering if anyone in the London area had a space and some basic tools that I could hire for a weekend so that I could do the repair? I have obtained a couple of professional quotes and they want approx £500 for the job. I can't afford that kind of money for a largely cosmetic repair, so alternatively, if anyone knows anyone who does cheap bodywork repairs, I would be grateful for the tip.

Thanks

Nick Goodger

Hi Nick, welcome aboard. That bubbling may well turn out to be considerably worse than you think and require more than a 'touch up' as by the time rust is evident on the outside it's had a comprehensive munch on the inside. Just a heads up really......

Thanks for the heads up. I am sure that it will need more than a touch up. I expect that it will probably require some welding in places, hence the need for some tools etc. The problem with taking it to a shop is that they will insist on respraying the whole panel which is where the majority of the expense is.

well have you factory glass or ex panal van,post a picky and we can soon tell you what you are 99%likely to find, from there all you want is the repair and brush some protection on to the bare metal.
there are easyish ways that will suffice, but pickys a must please
mm

Thanks mm. Pretty sure its factory glass. I will take some pics and post them asap.

Hi. Photos are attached showing window type and close ups of rust.

Ok, panal van conversion, you will need to do a little welding ,pop the glass and rubber out and the edge will have rotted here and it will be iffy at the other end no doubt, get a bit welded in and brush some paint over the area, if it wont sand flat enough then a slim of filler and seal and glass back in.
mm

Heres how I did mine...although mine is probably worse than yours, but it gives you an idea of whats involved.

Thanks guys. Now I just need somewhere to do the repair...

Mine didnt look too bad at first glance but turned out nasty. Once you get the brush onto the rot it just keeps going. Easy enough to weld new bits in just make sure you measure everything twice. Then unlike me youll not end up making the repair panels twice

them looks like virgin grips.
mm

indeed they do .. no practice on them

kevtherev wrote:indeed they do .. no practice on them

metalmick8y wrote:them looks like virgin grips.
mm

What do you mean? I've had those grips for twenty years... you fellas just have bad aim

I/ll give you bad aim. they wants abusing thats what bthey want, its like turning uop at a new job in pristine gear, you look a plonker.
mm
oh and Nick when you get round to doing it give me a pm for seals as I do them for decent money..