Window surround rust treatment

Thin bits of metal and bright blue light. Including glass & trim.

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JoeHolland
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Window surround rust treatment

Post by JoeHolland »

Hi all, I'm looking at a '91 T3 and there are a few small areas of bubbling paint over one wheel arch and a small spot of rust at the corner of one window. Should this make me worried or is it easily remedied?
It looks pretty minor, hope the images are visible:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Azo-rl ... sp=sharing" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r2oNn3 ... sp=sharing" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any advise would be appreciated, any idea on the cost to remedy this sort of thing?

Thanks all

adie89
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Location: Wiltshire

Re: Window surround rust treatment

Post by adie89 »

The rust on the arch is usually caused by condensation on the inside of the panel, there’s often rock wool insulation in there that holds water like a sponge. You might get away with twisted wire brush it out, rust treatment, re seal and paint on the seam on the outside and inside.
The window frame is common, plenty of threads on here of people making similar repairs but it should be straightforward fabrication from sheet metal and a new seal because it was probably caused by the seal shrinking in the corner and the water pooling there.
Cost will depend on if you can weld and your just going to roller/rattle canthe panels yourself or get someone to do the whole job for you, then how much painting they’re going to do ie just the window frame down to the door slider cover will be a lot less than the whole panel.
Budget will always be the limiting factor with these buses followed by your skill, and/or willingness and ability to learn those new skills.
Greta: 85’ LHD 2.5L Subaru 14in Syncro
http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=165773

JoeHolland
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Re: Window surround rust treatment

Post by JoeHolland »

adie89 wrote:The rust on the arch is usually caused by condensation on the inside of the panel, there’s often rock wool insulation in there that holds water like a sponge. You might get away with twisted wire brush it out, rust treatment, re seal and paint on the seam on the outside and inside.
The window frame is common, plenty of threads on here of people making similar repairs but it should be straightforward fabrication from sheet metal and a new seal because it was probably caused by the seal shrinking in the corner and the water pooling there.
Cost will depend on if you can weld and your just going to roller/rattle canthe panels yourself or get someone to do the whole job for you, then how much painting they’re going to do ie just the window frame down to the door slider cover will be a lot less than the whole panel.
Budget will always be the limiting factor with these buses followed by your skill, and/or willingness and ability to learn those new skills.
Thanks adie89, very useful. I have no welding skills whatsoever so will be relying on a garage to undertake all of the work. It sounds like it's fairly simple for the right people? I guess my concern is it indicative or a signpost to further (maybe hidden) corrosion? Thanks

100leelee
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Re: Window surround rust treatment

Post by 100leelee »

My van was probably not the best to reference..!
Screen corners on mine also meant 2" of the seam directly under the corner.
Not a big fix at all.
Rust on seams, well..in my experience more rust lies unseen..
But neither is a huge problem. Just I suppose how well you want it to be finished after the repair, that's the costly part usually!

adie89
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Location: Wiltshire

Re: Window surround rust treatment

Post by adie89 »

Possibly, although it often means more rust, but that bus isnt that old, and consider where it has lived and been used. Coastal living and lots of wet weekends in the Lake District will be a lot worse than garaged except for summer trips to Spain.
Have a look in the restoration forum for rusty bits and In the wiki for the usual rust spots then go poking around underneath.
The sills have removable plastic plugs on the inside edge so you can take a pic with your phone to be able to see in.
If you buy it and it’s decent except for those areas go to a specialist that will reseal it for you and preserve it if you don’t want to do it yourself. There’s plenty of them mentioned in classic car magazines.
Whatever you do don’t leave the rust to spread, it will spread quickly in the right environment.
As Leelee says above the level of finish is the costly bit.
Greta: 85’ LHD 2.5L Subaru 14in Syncro
http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=165773

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