body work, not bondo!

[Cash Up Front]

i want to get rid of the rust on my bus and patch some holes in the body. i don't want to replace full panels as i don't really have the money. suggestions?

[keifernet]

One way to go about it would be...

Cut the rust out, mig weld donor metal from another old bus or bug door skin or where ever you can get some clean metal of the same or near guage... and then use thin layers of filler to smooth/shape/blend the areas as needed...
Before you weld in the patch panels don't forget to use a rust inhibitor in any areas that you "open up like can of worms" to prevent future rust growth and make your repairs last longer....
I've done alot of work like that and like anything else your technique improves with every place you do, so start with the smallest and easiest to get to and by the time you get to the gnarly areas you have some experience to deal with it....

[66poptop]

I totally agree. its not simple, but you owe it to your bus to do it correctly. If you dont have the cash, wait and save till you do. If you try a half as repair and paint over it, you will spend more time and $ in the long run, when the rust quickly starts again and thick bondo chips away. Do it right the first time.