Date:         Tue, 27 Oct 1998 05:53:07 -0500
Reply-To:     Bulley-Hewlett & Associates <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Bulley-Hewlett & Associates <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      seam rust, how to prevent?
Comments: To: "Vanagon@vanagon.com" <Vanagon@vanagon.com>

Volks-

Let' say you recently purchased a beautiful 1982 White Westy that has
always been garaged by the little old lady who bought it new off the lot,
and only drove it on summer trips. Let's also say it has no rust anywhere,
including the seams. That's my scenario.

On close inspection, the mastic in the seams has some wee tiny hairline
cracks. With the approach of winter, I hastily sprayed white lithium grease
into these cracks, wiped off the excess and did a thorough waxing. I know
this is not the answer, long term. All it would take for rust to get
started is a couple of icy storms, and those seams will open a bit. The
cancer begins.

Short of having a shop grind out all the mastic, reseal it, then paint the
seams, (which is guaranteed to look crappy compared to the pristine paint
on the rest of the van), what can I do?

For the time being, this van is a daily driver, and covering it is not
realistic. Is there something better (a penetrant?) I can spray, rub, or
apply to the seams to keep water out of those seams? Help.

"Mr. Prevention", G. Matthew Bulley
Principal
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
Communications for Organizational Development
www.bulley-hewlett.com
(888) 468-4880 toll free