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westina
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2017
Posts: 368
Location: Beacon/NY
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 Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2017 9:32 pm Post subject: vanagon rust repair |
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Hi folks. My vanagon has some rust(surprise?) that i have to deal with. I am not looking for a show room quality work, which i cant afford anyway, i am going to adress this issues myself. Even though u get overwhelmed time to time, i must say i enjoy working on the van and the body work is very rewarding.
I am still evaluating the extend of the work and cant really figure out how to approach the front nose panel rust AKA windshield rust. I have 2 quarter size hole and another smaller hole right on the nose. I am aware that this section is not unibody and panels can be purchased. Suprisingly, they ask about 200 bucks for it. Somehow you can get other body parts much cheaper(even bigger panels) but the nose panel is pricy. I have 2 alternatives, either i ll try to fix it without removing the panel or find a used one. Actually i was able to locate one for 125$ but still not sure if its a better idea to not to replace the whole panel. what would you suggest? Am i going to remove the windshield regardless? Can i replace the nose panel without disturbing the windshield?
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That last picture is from passenger side, not related to front nose panel but needs to be repaired along with the others. |
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Waldemar Sikorski
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2005
Posts: 573
Location: EU
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32634
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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[email protected]
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2015
Posts: 704
Location: Berkeley Ca
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| Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 7:41 am Post subject: Re: vanagon rust repair |
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| Windshield has to come out. Easy to do. Buy new gasket for installation. Cut out rust replace. You could probable fab your own but for $200 what is your time worth? |
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alaskadan
Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2013
Posts: 1858
Location: anchor pt. alaska
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| Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 8:43 am Post subject: Re: vanagon rust repair |
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| With that kind of rust you will need to pull the dash. Ask me how I know... there's an inner pc of metal that joins with the outer pc to form the pinch weld that the windshield gasket installs on. Its going to need some repair too. |
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westina
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2017
Posts: 368
Location: Beacon/NY
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| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:10 pm Post subject: Re: vanagon rust repair |
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removed the windshield and dash today. Here is the pic of what i have to deal with.
With shipping, the nose piece should cost me about $150. I am not sure how easy is to remove mine,bond looks solid. I have combed the web but didn't see any how to video of removing the nose piece.
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32634
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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westina
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2017
Posts: 368
Location: Beacon/NY
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| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2017 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: vanagon rust repair |
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| djkeev wrote: |
If it were my Van?
I would nit remove the entire nose for that rust repair.
I would simply cut out the rust to solid metal, cut out new metal from the new panel and weld the pieces in.
A full panel replacement is a lot of added work.
Dave |
Haven't decide yet but that idea also very tempting. Looking at the panel, its not like a rear quarter panel from standart car that you can just unbolt. i may have to cut it, pry it.
Also, i have to work on the column at the pass side anyway since it is a rust area on its own, not on the front panel.
Last thing is, the rear lip section of the nose where the windshield seals, is in decent shape therefore just need to work on the holes.
I think i am going to wait on that new panel. |
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westina
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2017
Posts: 368
Location: Beacon/NY
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| Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2017 3:49 pm Post subject: Re: vanagon rust repair |
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Hi, i am trying to fix the rust around the windshield. It is coming ok. I mean not great or anything but it would pass.
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This one is really hard to build. It may be a total failure.[/img] |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32634
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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westina
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2017
Posts: 368
Location: Beacon/NY
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| Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2017 7:46 pm Post subject: Re: vanagon rust repair |
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Thanks. I have a question. After the weld, i ll go over with a short strand fiberglass filler to take care the pin holes and such and make it less prone to water ingress.
Since the welded area pretty much flush with the surrounding area, wouldnt it look bad, elevated, bacause of the thickness of the filler layers? How it should be blended? |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32634
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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