Below Windshield Rust Repair

[Stevenb83]

I just picked up a bay window with some awesome patina to it. The only rust that will effect anything is the usual rust below the front windshield. There’s some decent holes, is there any creative ways to cover and seal this up without cutting out and welding back in a new piece? I want to keep the patina for a while and don’t want to start doing a lot of metal work just yet.

[Spike0180]

If you're going to take out the window (which you'll have to do to replace the seal that needs replaced of this will only get worse), then you mine as well weld in a new piece now. Because besides cutting an welding your options are: rivet in a cover piece, fiber glass, or leave it. maybe you could like tuck some plastic under the seal and then put the window back in and tape it down? overall, they are all poor choices. Just order the part from KF and weld in that new piece but don't paint it yet. you'll keep the "I'm saving patina" look.
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[OB Bus]

I did some creative patching in the same area with fiberglass tape and POR-15. (I don't weld.) However I only had about 2% of your visible rust holes. You have to deal with this now or face much worse damage really soon.
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[Stevenb83]

I might end up just having to go ahead and patch it and and get creative with some paint to try and keep the patina look. Was just hoping someone had come up with a way to avoid all the extra work, since this is a common bay problem.

[KentABQ]

I'm with you on that wishful thought for a simple windshield fix. I deliberately leave mine in the garage during rainy days to help delay the inevitable. But it appears the only fix is to weld in a new piece. Fiberglass sounds like it would be a great interim step, but it fails over time.

If you find an easy alternative, you will be a hero to hundreds of Bay Window owners!
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[Yarkle]

EIS is selling a similar repair panel to klassicfab..anyone have any experience with it?

https://www.eisparts.com/winshield-lower-repair-section-bus-1968-1979new.html
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Tilda the Mustard Tigress 1973 Squareback (o'''^'''o)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=771024&highlight=

[Glenn]

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[Yarkle]

duct tape got me out of here! i dont get pictograms very well, but i think you are saying that the EIS piece is basically duct tape?

but, due to that experience , i dotn get pictograms very well:

so you are saying the EIS one is a waste of money? [/url]
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Tilda the Mustard Tigress 1973 Squareback (o'''^'''o)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=771024&highlight=

[Glenn]

[Yarkle]

Ah..Ok, got it. several vendors are selling the grey EIS one now, so i figured someone here may have bought one.
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Tilda the Mustard Tigress 1973 Squareback (o'''^'''o)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=771024&highlight=

[Glenn]

[Glenn]

[williamM]

[img]

The green panels need a LOT of custom fitting. The corners were the worst. [/img]
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[Abscate]

[dirtkeeper]

as mentioned you have some substantial rot there. That said i have made temporary repairs (last a few years) in those areas of a bug, i used high quality metal tape as used in the heating and air conditioning business. sticks well, thin, can be built up stronger with a few layers, can be painted and massaged flat and smooth. I had a picture of this but cant find it now. Must clean the surface very well first. can even be slipped under the rubber, I have made permanent repairs to smaller rotted areas using fiberglass bondo. Has lots of fibers in it to grab and stick around the damage dries hard and sandable. For a permanent fix you would need to make sure all rust is removed, or treated and sealed, difficult unless you can get in and observe the inner side of the panel..

[Yarkle]

[Miklo]

[Stevenb83]

Dang! Mine doesn’t have any of the fuse block or relays, I’ve got to buy new, probably got pulled out because they were like yours

[Alan Brase]

[Yarkle]

was the busdepot one the little metal strip one or the one similar to the EIs one i linked (kinda looks like the klassicfab, but grey?)
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Tilda the Mustard Tigress 1973 Squareback (o'''^'''o)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=771024&highlight=