So far all the jobs I've tried to start have been held up or I've had to stop because of not having the right parts or bits need modifying. Hopefully patching up the front windows shouldn’t be such a problem.
Nope, think again.
Ordering parts on-line means you can’t see how how good the parts are untill you get them on the van. Nearly all the panels I've tried to fit need fabricating, so learning panel beating skills is becoming a necessity. I started repairing the window gutters with two corner repair panels, but trial fitting these panels and I found they didn't meet in the middle. I had a word with Schofields at a show and they made me up a pair of gutter that would stretched the whole length of the window frame and bend up enough to cover up the holes I’d already cut out.
A job that I thought would take a day, had taken that long just to get the area and parts cleaned, cut and filed to fit. This included picking away the sealant that I'd originally used under the windows, to stop rain comimg through the rust holes and filling up the van. When this repair is done I hopefully wont need a towel by my feet any more.
Before I got the gutter welded into place, a few bits of the dashboard lip needed patching up, and one of the new gutters repair panels needed cutting and splicing back together, because it was a couple of milimeters too long. With a lot of patients and a brand new light sensitive welding mask (well worth the money £80), I managed to get both gutters tacked and welded on the second day. After grinding down the worst of the welds, I used a large dreadnought file to clean up the front radius, this gave me a flat and even finish compared to rotary file or sanding disc, any remaining pits I re-welded and filed down again. A final rub down and a coat of primer and this is the vans first completed repair.
