What's the best way to repair the doors?

[Tezzah]

Hi all.

The near side door is not very healthy looking at the base and will need to be repaired soon. Is there a best way to do this, welding, new bottom bit etc???

Also, the door is quite damp at the bottom, i'm thinking of replacing the doors seals, is this an easy job and if this is a common problem and replacing the seals isn't likely to solve the problem what could the actual cause be?

Can do pictures if need be.

Mucho thanks in advance people.

 

[AxlFoley]

I cant help you with the metalwork, but I possibly can with the dampness. Is it the door cards that are wet? it could be that you have a missing or damaged door mebrane, this is the plastic sheet that stops water coming in to the van from the windows.

Mark

 

[Tezzah]

Ah, yes, there doesn't appear to be any on the inside so i guess that's the problem. They look like the could be salvaged and repaired as it's not too bad at the moment.

I'm guessing that the water from the windows leaks in from the window seals and down inside??? I would have thought the seals would prevent this, maybe i'll have a look that them too.

If the above is true, where is the water supposed to run, surely the door would fill with water??? :shock:

 

[Araon]

the botom of the door should have drain holes to allow for the escape of water these should be cleaned out yearly due to the accumulation of dirt fluff and loose rust, unfortunately many people fill these holes over in bodged repairs which leads to a rapid deteriation of the door structure.... the windows will leak as you have wind down windows and the felt channels wear out etc.. hence the membrane is so important important in protecting the hardboard trim and allowing the water to flow downwards as quickly as possible...

 

[Doris]

once you've done any repairs - get some waxoyl in the cavity, the water will run right off that & out of the drain hole.

 

[Tezzah]

Muchos thanks people, i think i'll take the panels off and dry them out (just a bit damp at the bottom and get some membrane fitted.

 

[AxlFoley]

when it comes to refitting the membrane, any plastic sheeting should work although I have always used Damp proof membrane (as used in construction) works well, or a thick black bag, I then use 3M windscreen sealer to attach it to the door, any kind of tape usualy isnt water proof, and silicone doesn't stick to the plastic sheeting.

 

[gninnam]

Another handy tip is to rub a normal wax candle all over the back of the hardboard - even extra waterproffing and dirt cheap to do

 

[Araon]

PVA the hardboard after making sure its thoroughly dried out

 

[Tezzah]

Great ideas all. I just found a hole in a window seal too, just big enough to let enough rain in to soak the door, doh. Time for some new seals as well. I love this place!!!

 

[AxlFoley]

If its the original seal and the hole is small enough, make sure its dry and put some tape over it it should hold up, providing its dry.

 

[Tezzah]

I'll cover it as a quick fix, the seal looks like an aftermarket one, and it's about 1cm too short. Doh. :shock:

 

[AxlFoley]

that may not be helping

 

[Tezzah]

LOL, no, i didn't think it would. :lol:

 

[angus]

On a related note - I fitted 'new' window scrapers to my doors quite a few years ago, and the outer particularly, never sealed up against the glass properly, meaning water just runs down and into the door. Does anyone do a scraper that actually presses against the glass?

 

[type2tattoo]

On a related note - I fitted 'new' window scrapers to my doors quite a few years ago, and the outer particularly, never sealed up against the glass properly, meaning water just runs down and into the door. Does anyone do a scraper that actually presses against the glass?

Would be interested to know the answer to this as I am about to buy the whole door seal kit, the prices vary a lot C n C seem to be cheapest then JK and Status VW are quite expensive, does anyone have experience of whats best Cheers

Will be waxoyling the inner and putting plastic sheets (think you can get them on ebay) on too, great advice

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-Bus-Camper-Bay-67-79-plastic-door-card-sheets-x2_W0QQitemZ230392175837QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item35a4719cdd" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Tezzah]

There's somebody selling the plastic sheets, pre-cut, for £3.65 or something like that.