Date:         Thu, 9 Apr 2009 11:52:02 -0700
Reply-To:     neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: seam rust under dash and near antenna
Comments: To: Greg S <sorkilmo@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <1b1c168b0904091125gc3cc5feuae52774e62aebdee@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 11:25 AM, Greg S <sorkilmo@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi list,
> I have my dash off to replace the blower motor and I found some seam rust on
> the antenna side. I think this seam rust may be the cause of the rust hole I
> have outside just under the antenna but I'm not sure. Does anyone have a
> quick and dirty way to stop this seam rust and fix the hole on the outside.
> I don't have the time or resources to replace sheet metal and I would just
> like to get the van on the road for the spring as soon as possible. The
> mechanicals of this van seem to be in good shape and the underside is pretty
> much rust free but I am thinking that the best I will be able to do with the
> body is slow the rust down to get a few years out of her.
> Pics here:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/15712715@N00/sets/72157616553212350/
> I would appreciate any advice.
>
> Thanks
> Greg S.
> 87' Vanagon Wolfsburg
>


With that in mind, if it were me.....

Interior:

Wire wheel/w.h.y. loose rust where I could, apply top coat of rust inhibitor.

At places I couldn't reach, spray inhibitor on. I found that although
the tip clogged fairly quickly, but I used a small generic pump spray
bottle with inhibitor worked to reach a hard to get at spot. A small
wire brush might reach to at least remove *some* loose rust in tight
spots. Maybe even with an extension attached to it for reach. (can you
picture the cat trying to get the thread spool from under the couch??
<grin>)

Exterior:

remove excess rust, top coat with inhibitor. Holes? Patch with metal
scraps and that 3M adhesive (sorry can't recall name), then top coat.
Prep and caulk seam(s) with best appropriate sealant.

But that's just me.

Neil.



--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines