TheSamba.com :: View topic - Paint cracking w/rust sliding door & wheel well: How bad is it?

Tue Nov 11, 2025 6:43 am

That's probably a side swipe that got coated with bondo and repaired. I'd look to replace the door, remove all the bondo on the chassis, get the metal as close to good as possible, and then start over with a full chassis paint job.

$5k probably would cover that if you are ok with a $3k paint job.

IMO, I don't need a concours vehicle, I'm just extending the life not preserving it in a museum. A cheap paint job is fine by me.

Tue Nov 11, 2025 9:58 am

Definitely looks like bodyworks been done to it. If it's a midwest van, the rest looks pretty clean otherwise on the underside. Keep in mind its an old vehicle meant to be enjoyed outside.

Tue Nov 11, 2025 11:20 am

Abscate wrote:
That Bus will take $20,000 and consume it I a heartbeat and still be a POS

the rest of it looks cleaner than some west coast vans underneath.

a 20k money pit POS seems like a stretch?

Tue Nov 11, 2025 11:51 am

Kdj wrote: If it's a midwest van, the rest looks pretty clean otherwise on the underside.

This van has covered all the geographical bases. First 17 years in Virginia, then 15 years in Oregon and Washington, and Colorado since 2018.

My favorite local body shop (3 teenagers, I really should get a volume discount) was surprisingly interested in coming up with a guesstimate based on pictures alone. I'm curious to see what they come back with.

Wed Nov 12, 2025 6:51 am

Body shop estimate based on photos alone was $5-8K. That's on the upper end of my tolerable range, but also means there are comparable vans without rust that cost about the same or less when you factor in the rust repair cost.

Moving on to the next van...

Wed Nov 12, 2025 7:15 am

Good call.

Plus “$5-8” probably means “$8-12” — once all done.

Owning one of these will offer you endless opportunities for anxiety. No sense having some before you even camp.

We’ll keep our eyes out for Ya.

Wed Nov 12, 2025 8:17 am

I'll repeat my formula for calculating restoration costs:

Step 1 - Get three estimates

Step 2 - Add them up

There is no Step 3.

Wed Nov 12, 2025 9:44 am

Brilliant!

Yet, true way too often.