Buy all your VW California Accessories at the Club Shop Visit Shop

Back from the body shop

Simon67

Simon67

Messages
78
Vehicle
T4 PopTop
Well she's finally back from the body shop and I'm over the moon!
Needed lots of really awkward and annoying bits doing (screen surround, leading edge of roof, sill, side panel, rear bumper. If anyone needs a bodyshop in the North (Chorley area) just let me know and I'll pass on details.

Now I can enjoy doing the easy bits...

IMG_20160119_140625035_HDR.jpg

IMG_20160119_140646600.jpg

IMG_20160119_140724815_HDR.jpg

IMG_20160119_140930687.jpg

IMG_20160119_140958153_HDR.jpg
 
Lovely job. I'd be very grateful to have the details of the paintshop. Mine needs similar jobs doing. Can you drop me an email to XXXXXXXXXX ? Many thanks!
 
Last edited:
Cheers guys. I wasn't feeling the love for her before having the bodywork fixed. Now I am :)
Really pleased with how she drove to and from Lancashire from Kent too.

Simon
 
What a beauty. They are lovely vehicles and very well built.
I had a T4 van for about eight years until recently. It was one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. I would still have it now but it became surplus to requirements when I ceased working.
 
well done. I really want to get mine done - how much did it cost, if you don't mind me asking?

did you have to tackle any rust in the seams? was this done well? seams look like a tricky job - if they did any, did the paintshop explain how they did it properly?
 
ajdowson said:
well done. I really want to get mine done - how much did it cost, if you don't mind me asking?

did you have to tackle any rust in the seams? was this done well? seams look like a tricky job - if they did any, did the paintshop explain how they did it properly?
Click to expand...

I wont say what it cost as each job is different and there were several unexpected bits that only came to light when the windows were out. This sort of job isn't cheap but really needs doing well if it's going to last. For the lower screen surround, I bought an original VW scuttle panel (£150 I think) so that a small (10") section could be cut out and let into the body. this way the profile and the drain channel were correct.

I live in Kent and the quotes down here were quite a bit more than Phil in Lancashire. There was rust in the seams around the screen and side window, sill and wheel arch. in all cases it was properly cut out and new panels or metal seam welded back in. Many paint shops just don't want this sort of job - I can see why!

All the best

Simon
 
Hi Simon,
Was the picture which includes the signpost taken in Kent? Being a Man of Kent, I am sure I know that location but it won't come to me.

Who ever did the bodywork on your Cali did an excellent job. Lovely colour.
 
Hi Borris

Yes, at Leybourne Chase near West Malling. Bodywork done by Phil Greenwood in Lancashire. It was certainly worth the journey!

Cheers

Simon
 
Simon67 said:
Hi Borris

Yes, at Leybourne Chase near West Malling. Bodywork done by Phil Greenwood in Lancashire. It was certainly worth the journey!

Cheers

Simon
Click to expand...
Thanks Simon,
I thought it looked familiar.
My T4 had a similar rust spot on the n/s under the windscreen.
Its new owner has since carried out a very nice convertion into a campervan down in Cornwall.
 
Cracking.....where did you get decals from pls
 
They were on it when I bought it. Need a Westfalia one for the roof though!

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
 
Simon67 said:
They were on it when I bought it. Need a Westfalia one for the roof though!

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Have a look at my posts. I believe the person recommended does westfalia. If not there are a few I found when searching generally
 
Interesting pictures, mine has also some corrosion around the top front "spoiler" for the pop top. I guess this is bolted in from the inside - did they replace any metal here too?

I am a bit worried whether this rubber piece will survive removal.
 
Hi. No the rubber trim is glued on. Unfortunately water accumulated right at the top and eventually rots. I'm going to put a drain hole in mine. Yes, I had a new section welded in. Mine survived and was replaced. Not a nice job at all!

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
 
Mine is booked in! He'll be using up the rest of Simon's tin of paint :)
No new metal forecast (although that is subject to change), but windscreen out job.

Mine needs:
- a couple of areas around the windscreen (inc both sides of the A pillars , half way up) which is common from damage during windscreen replacement,
- bonnet and under grill panel due to stone chips
- passenger door due to an old 'keying'
- front passenger wing where a chip inside the wheel arch has crept into a rust blister.

Seems a very nice chap. Thanks to Simon for the tip.
 
Looks great your cali, gives me hope as mine is ready for similar. Bit that worries me the most is the panel seams as they are all showing sings of shrinkage and the early signs of rust. Along top channels and sides. Did they seem concerned with these / were they a big job? Mines a flat colour at least.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

James
Beachside Blog
Replies
13
Views
4K
James
James
jillyfish
Our first Cali weekend in one we hired and left with doubts....
2 3
Replies
68
Views
13K
Malc69
Malc69

Useful links

VW California Club

  • CampervanBits Accessories
  • Comfort Insurance
  • VIP Membership
  • Conquest
  • Sale from Campervanbits
  • Hire a Vw California

About us

The VW California Club is the worlds largest resource for all owners and enthusiasts of VW California campervans.

Our Partners

Our Partners

Back
Top