Club 80-90 Forums

So today with poptop removed I went to get my welding quote...
First this is what needs doing:

OS Corner



NS Corner


OS Rear Corner


NS Rear Corner


2 Rear Windows (All Around)



That is the main bulk of it. I was quoted between £600 - £800 for the 4 corners , and 4 hours each rear window so another £320.

I have stripped out all the interior, and will take it to them with pop top removed, windows removed and even get the dash loose, and providing a top front section and new rubber seal for window screen. All I ask them to do is weld and coat with rust protection.

I have heard good things about these guys and they are a proper vehicle welding shop that also do classic cars etc.

Is this price reasonable?

Sounds pricey to me, but I suppose for a top class job...
on the other hand, you could buy a welder and a small grinder and do it yourself for less than they are asking, and you'd own a welder and grinder afterwards too!

Have you checked your arches, as the rust stains running down from the windows may have caused some damage there.

boatbuilder wrote:Sounds pricey to me, but I suppose for a top class job...
on the other hand, you could buy a welder and a small grinder and do it yourself for less than they are asking, and you'd own a welder and grinder afterwards too!

Have you checked your arches, as the rust stains running down from the windows may have caused some damage there.

He said £800 for the roof is worst case scenario, he seemed genuine but then I guess they all do lol. They had a lot of quality older cars there in the workshop and a bay window so they obviously know what they are doing. I guess it's a case of hoping it's easier than they think and it costing less. They charge £40 per hour.

The arches seem ok but are a little rusty from the leaking windows:



However I am unsure what I can do about them? It looks like just surface rust so will clean them up with wire brush and vactan. Can't think what else to do other than remove both outer panels and that would cost a bomb?!?

OK Guys, Big decision...

Having not welded before but a thorough learner, could I do these bits myself? I have 2 weeks off at the beginning of April so would spend the next few weeks practising on scrap metal, asking advice on the fabrication etc. I also have about £500 I could use that I originally intended for the welding for equipment etc. But that does mean if I find I cannot do it I will not have the money for a fair while to get it done at the welders.

I would love to learn to weld, it is the fabrication I guess I am most worried about.

Advice much appreciated guys as I need to make a decision by this Saturday (booked in for the work).

Thanks

Im not sure if this will help but it could be just what your looking for

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=97977" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He will cut the parts you need to templates you make.

Fumar wrote:Im not sure if this will help but it could be just what your looking for

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=97977" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He will cut the parts you need to templates you make.

Thanks for the heads up. I will keep an eye on that thread.

I am edging towards getting myself a welder and learning the hard way. Has anyone learnt to weld from scratch working on their beloved camper? How did it turn out...dare I ask?

Those arches ideally need grit blasting from both sides, then treating with vactan and sealing back up.

Although it may be a case of just doing the roof at the moment and leaving the arches for another time.
My gut instinct is that if you are on a tight schedule and need the van to be on the road soon and are going to be learning how to weld from scratch, I'd just pay for the work to be done and take the financial hit.
Imagine the time you think it would take you to do the work yourself.....and then multiply that by about five and you will have a pretty accurate estimate!

My case is different in that I don't need to drive my van anytime soon, so I'm able to have it sit in my garage for two years while I do the work myself and learn it all as I go along.

boatbuilder wrote:Those arches ideally need grit blasting from both sides, then treating with vactan and sealing back up.

Although it may be a case of just doing the roof at the moment and leaving the arches for another time.
My gut instinct is that if you are on a tight schedule and need the van to be on the road soon and are going to be learning how to weld from scratch, I'd just pay for the work to be done and take the financial hit.
Imagine the time you think it would take you to do the work yourself.....and then multiply that by about five and you will have a pretty accurate estimate!

My case is different in that I don't need to drive my van anytime soon, so I'm able to have it sit in my garage for two years while I do the work myself and learn it all as I go along.

Hey boatbuilder,

I don't need the van urgently but would like it to be ready for the summer. I understand the easy option would be to take the hit and pay for the welder but I love getting my hands dirty with the mechanics, so figure why not learn to weld too. No better opportunity than with your own project that is not my main run around. I am under no illusions as to how skilled welding is as a profession, and indeed I have worked with a welder as a labourer back when I was 18 (10 years ago now ) but everyone starts somewhere?

Do you think those front top corners are unachievable for a novice?

I had similar issues, it was not so bad on the rear

ended up doing this,as it's simpler

After seeing those photos, £600-£800 sounds cheap! Luckily my van is ok on the corners!

Nothing is impossible. Can you do it? Depends how handy you are!

I was like you, had all intentions of doing it myself even having never welded before. Used a mates Dads welder but quickly found it wasn't for me (just yet, aged 31 with 2 young kids)

I was lucky enough to find someone who works for £20 an hour, I help him with a lot and learning as I progress. Taking my time as Boatbuilder says! 1 year and counting!

You could easily tackle all the other rust you have there if it doesn't need welding

Good luck though with whatever you choose to do.

Jon.

boatbuilder wrote:After seeing those photos, £600-£800 sounds cheap! Luckily my van is ok on the corners!

Nothing is impossible. Can you do it? Depends how handy you are!

My pics or revs? Mine was up to £800 for the 4 corners.

Think goin to give it a go

Thanks jonny. I am lucky enouh to be in a job with A fair amount of holiday time, and with no kids i feel no better time than now (28).

I guess worst comes to worst ill sell any gear i buy and get the welder to do it. Nothing lost?

I would give it a go then.... I had fun welding just couldn't see myself mastering it or even getting ok at it anytime soon.

Good luck mate

Humm. If you've never welded a thing before, then taking on the roof repair will likely give you some headaches. Remember that the rust visible is only the beginning, there's probably a bit more that you can't yet see. If it were me, then I'd pay to have the roof done professionally and do the rest, i.e the easier stuff, myself by buying a welder and taking my time to learn how to do it. And of course, you can look at what the other people have done and see their methods.

I think too that those inner seams as shown on your images are telling you that they are going to need proper attention too, in my opinion cleaning and vactan wont do it, you will need to cut the rust out and weld in good metal to fix it, long term anyway.

Just a thought...

other option is to buy as welder , but pay someone to help you for a day to get started ...

i learnt to weld myself .. not going to say i am profesional .. and i am 100% sure my van could have been done better .. but i sit in it know i done it .. and i know the state of it

Matt