let me have your thoughts on this welding repair today (frid

[baron]

the cab floor on my van finally rusted through, it's the first rust through i've had on the van

i took it to my usual vw garage, who started out by saying they would weld in a piece of metal. i wasn't too keen on that, and said can we make it tidier by buying a new cab floor panel fom schofields

i've not got the van back, its coming tonight, but from the pics he's sent, it looks like he cut out the rust, but then covered a huge area with the repair panel so that it's now double layer metal. i don't know much about bodywork, but that doesn't seem right, surely you cut out metal, then replace it with the same shape of replacement patch? but i'd welcome some input before i get the van back (and pay for it) tonight

i can't be certain that it's doubled up, but from the pics it looks that way, he did say you wouldn't tell it had been repaired, which was the intention (i know the panel is ever so slightly different from stock with the shape of the structural grooves in it)

pics....

 

[AxlFoley]

Was there a horse tied up oustide his garage? thats a bit cowboy for my liking, i wouldent be happy with it.

 

[Loxy]

^^WHS^^

 

[neil'69]

Hi Baron,

You need to have a look from underneath. It does look like they've prepped the area and painted both panels with something before welding the repair panel over the top. If they haven't welded and sealed the two together from underneath (i can't see any signs of weld penitration) moisture and other crap is going to get between the two panels and rot the whole area in no time. I like AxlFoley wouldn't be happy with that kind of repair. They could have cut the new panel and just used the part needed to fill the hole where the rot was cut out, leaving maximum original metal.

 

[Mechanoid]

I have to say that I agree! The whole panel should have been cut out and replaced, or, even just leaving a 10mm 'lap joint' that had been treated with 'Weld Through Primer'. Or even, as you say, just cut out a fitted patch and butt weld it in.

Having that much overlap is just asking for trouble IMHO!

 

[baron]

oh dear, i thought you would say that

slightly gutted, no, very gutted

this kept me awake most of last night, i'm that precious about my van

worst of all i hate disagreements over cash and work done....

 

[ant]

It wouldn't be so bad if it had been welded from the underneath to but as mentioned from the pictures it doesn't look like it has. Whats he trying to charge you Baron?

 

[easy]

Dodgy work chap im afraid, ring em back and tell them its not been carried out correctly, then move on to another garage if i was you. They wont get funny cos you can always drop this forum into the mix and nmention that word of mouth goes along way in these circles!

I would however go for the softly, i would have liked the work carried out correctly and not patched over other panels approach first.

Good luck 8)

 

[baron]

ant, it's not a fortune, but it's not cheap, and i'm now going to have to get the work re-done

I would however go for the softly, i would have liked the work carried out correctly and not patched over other panels approach first.

yeah, i don't know any other way

its a bummer though, he's a nice guy, i like him, but this is one thing too much for me

gutted and not looking forward to the discussion

arze'oles

 

[easy]

ant, it's not a fortune, but it's not cheap, and i'm now going to have to get the work re-done

I would however go for the softly, i would have liked the work carried out correctly and not patched over other panels approach first.

yeah, i don't know any other way

its a bummer though, he's a nice guy, i like him, but this is one thing too much for me

gutted and not looking forward to the discussion

arze'oles

its a pain dood, but bite the bullet and get it over with. Just expalin to him that you thought the panel should have been replaced and not welded over the top. See what he says. 8)

 

[Tofufi]

In my opinion, he ought to have cut a section from the new panel and only used what was needed.

Fitting the whole panel means that if it ever needs to be done again, it can't be done using the panel that was used the first time, you'd need a larger one.

It would have been quite easy to tidy up the welds to a seamless finish had he cut a section from the repair panel and done a decent job of aligning it and welding it in.

 

[baron]

It would have been quite easy to tidy up the welds to a seamless finish had he cut a section from the repair panel and done a decent job of aligning it and welding it in.

this is what i expected to be honest, just wanted to check that was realistic

how much of a hassle have i got to get back to that point now do you all think?

 

[cyberdyne systems]

Why not ask if its been welded underneath now, and if not can he do that so that its sealed. It seems a little odd to put the whole panel over the existing, but I guess its quicker and easier and if you are talking 'MOT' welding it will do the job (for a while).

If its welded underneath too, once its cleaned up/painted and the mat is back down it will look ok and do the job.

It isn't right but it will work

Gareth

 

[young_dubya]

not to my tastes that one im afraid. you asking for trouble there. just lazy if you ask me.

 

[baron]

.... if you are talking 'MOT' welding it will do the job (for a while).

that's the trouble, i'm not, i want a proper job, not a botch and thought that had been made clear to him

still, thanks for all the replies guys, much appreciated

 

[young_dubya]

trouble with doing that is, you get condensation build up between the panels which rots it out. no good. id have him do it again, your paying for it and you obviously dont like it much or you wouldnt have asked so set him straight dude :msn4:

 

[Clem]

I cant see the pics, but I agree with Tofufi.

Bummer

 

[61 stu]

sorry dude but thats a moisture trap waiting to happen.

IMO your only course of action is to get the panel removed, butt welded in place properly, ground down, seam sealed and undersealed underneath. I'd also whack some primer on asap to the welds and repair panel in the cab area too until its painted properly.

Unfortunately this sort of repair is not uncommon and during my time in the industry i've seen all sorts.

Hope you get it sorted mate.

 

[james_stan]

Hmm, sounds like a communications issue to me.

He thought your idea of neater was to cover the whole panel. In view of the fact that the strengthening
'creases' in the repair panel don't match-up perhaps he thought that was best. In fact maybe his original plan would have worked out more satisfactory to you.

BTW have you though how it rusted out to start with ? I would guess from the inside out, caused by water leaking into the cab area maybe via the windscreen. From the outside I think think the floor is quite well
hidden.

I would ask him to start again as there was a simple misunderstanding, you may
have to compromise on the cost though.

Cheers

james

 

[baron]

Hmm, sounds like a communications issue to me.

He thought your idea of neater was to cover the whole panel. In view of the fact that the strengthening
'creases' in the repair panel don't match-up perhaps he thought that was best. In fact maybe his original plan would have worked out more satisfactory to you.

james you're an insightful chap, i suspect that may be the root cause of the problem

there's a solution I'm sure, but i'm not happy now and he won't be happy tonight, so it's a lose lose at the moment