Date:         Wed, 16 Feb 2000 13:48:56 EST
Reply-To:     Fonman4277@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Stewart <Fonman4277@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: rust pictures
Comments: To: theerion@gator.net
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Chris,
    FWIW, I took a class in welding, and bought a mig welder in order to
restore my '76 Westfalia. I already "restored" it once, 3 yrs ago, using
fiberglass filler in the rocker and dogleg areas. Right now it's in my garage
with both cab steps and doglegs cut out, the passengers side is already
welded in and I'm working on the drivers side. *Most* folks would not have
gone to the extreme that I have, with both the time and financial investment
I've made. The areas I fixed 3 yrs ago started to rust through again,as I
knew they would, so then I was faced with the choice of selling it or doing
it all over again the right way, which I chose to do. Right before I bought
mine I had a chance to buy a pristine '79 Westy from Arizona, it was 100%
complete and in excellent condition, but the guy wanted $4,500.00 for it,
which I thought was kind of steep at the time. I ended up buying mine for a
lot less, but now 3 yrs later when I think of the time and money ( I'm afraid
to sit down and add up all the receipts I have from RMMW, Bus Depot, and
Wolfsburg West) I've spent, I am probably far past the $4,500.00 for that
'79. And If I factored in my labor, even at only $10.00/hr., I know I'm WAY
past  $4,500.00.  So, again, my intent was not to insult, but to encourage
folks to look at the WHOLE picture before jumping into a project like this.
Enthusiasm can quickly turn into resentment and disgust.     Take care & good
luck,   Jeff S