Anyone paid for their own roof corrosion repair?

[Vandergraff]

Am looking at buying a cali over 6 years old - so out of the roof corrosion warranty period apparently - and wonder what kind of budget I should be allowing for roof repair.
It’s showing signs of minimal bubbling on front panel atm, but it is there. not been able to look under the edge seals but am guessing same there too.. just want to know what I’m letting myself in for.

Any ideas on cost for doing edges and front panel would be really useful thanks. Have found on one of the many other threads talk of potentially around £2k. But can’t find anyone who’s actually paid for a repair themselves to confirm this ballpark figure..
Thanks!

 

[BerndRos]

I guess you need to find out if it’s been logged onto the VW system for a recall repair or not. My Cali which I have owned from new in 2010, was serviced by a VW dealer a few months ago, at which time I was advised that a recall had shown up.

It was taken away from Hereford last week to Southport for the remedial work. They have provided a Golf with only a few miles on the clock for me to use while my Cali is away.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Am looking at buying a cali over 6 years old - so out of the roof corrosion warranty period apparently - and wonder what kind of budget I should be allowing for roof repair.
It’s showing signs of minimal bubbling on front panel atm, but it is there. not been able to look under the edge seals but am guessing same there too.. just want to know what I’m letting myself in for.

Any ideas on cost for doing edges and front panel would be really useful thanks. Have found on one of the many other threads talk of potentially around £2k. But can’t find anyone who’s actually paid for a repair themselves to confirm this ballpark figure..
Thanks!

The thing is VW have changed the way they repair so many times you never know what they are going to do next. Years ago they would respray the roof and change the front panel at the cost of many thousands. Now no resprays and the roof is just rubbed down where the seal goes and is prepared with a special VW concoction or even tape and the new seal stuck on so you can’t see underneath. The front panel is changed for a plastic overlay panel which people have had problems with. (Water getting in and wind noise).
Personally if you are any good at DIY you could easily do it yourself at a fraction of the cost. The front panel is different but again just rubbing down and the correct preparation and that wouldn’t cost a lot either. I had mine done at just over 3 years old and it’s now 6 years and I’ve taken a close look and nothing has come back.
If you look at buying a van that hasn’t had the repair just check under the roof seal , it’s easy to pull down and you will soon see if there is a problem.

 

[WelshGas]

Am looking at buying a cali over 6 years old - so out of the roof corrosion warranty period apparently - and wonder what kind of budget I should be allowing for roof repair.
It’s showing signs of minimal bubbling on front panel atm, but it is there. not been able to look under the edge seals but am guessing same there too.. just want to know what I’m letting myself in for.

Any ideas on cost for doing edges and front panel would be really useful thanks. Have found on one of the many other threads talk of potentially around £2k. But can’t find anyone who’s actually paid for a repair themselves to confirm this ballpark figure..
Thanks!

VW repair £2-3000 .
A Forum member in Scotland had the front panel treated and resprayEd for about £450.
He went to a body repair shop that specialise in classic cars etc: rather than insurance accident claim repairs.
If you had it respray Ed in a contrasting colour it could be cheaper than trying to match older paintwork.

 

[Elmo3]

How old is it? Mine is 12 years old has has some minor bubbling on the front panel (I’ve seen a hell of a lot worse). It’s not changed in a year since buying the van. At some point I might do something about it but if just cosmetic, it’s a case of being realistic and pragmatic. A classic car bodyshop is definitely the way to go, forget about VW.

 

[Vandergraff]

How old is it? Mine is 12 years old has has some minor bubbling on the front panel (I’ve seen a hell of a lot worse). It’s not changed in a year since buying the van. At some point I might do something about it but if just cosmetic, it’s a case of being realistic and pragmatic. A classic car bodyshop is definitely the way to go, forget about VW.

Thanks - that's good to know - it's 6 &1/2 yrs so only just out of the cover, but if your hasn't changed in that time then maybe it's something I don't need to get done straight away. I think I'm going to go for it but need to get a ballpark cost so I can put an offer in..

 

[Vandergraff]

VW repair £2-3000 .
A Forum member in Scotland had the front panel treated and resprayEd for about £450.
He went to a body repair shop that specialise in classic cars etc: rather than insurance accident claim repairs.
If you had it respray Ed in a contrasting colour it could be cheaper than trying to match older paintwork.

Thanks welshgas. That's around the figure I had in mind - and would want to take it to a specialist that VW use, such as one of the ones that people have had the repair done under warranty on here. Is hard to know without pulling the seals off and having a proper look what exactly it's going to need - am viewing remotely atm, looking at pics and chatting with the owner before going down to view, so it's a bit of guesswork, but I think I need to have worst case costs in mind..

 

[Vandergraff]

I guess you need to find out if it’s been logged onto the VW system for a recall repair or not. My Cali which I have owned from new in 2010, was serviced by a VW dealer a few months ago, at which time I was advised that a recall had shown up.

It was taken away from Hereford last week to Southport for the remedial work. They have provided a Golf with only a few miles on the clock for me to use while my Cali is away.

That sounds very promising BerndRos thanks - so yours is 11 years old but VW are still repairing under warranty at no cost to you?

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks welshgas. That's around the figure I had in mind - and would want to take it to a specialist that VW use, such as one of the ones that people have had the repair done under warranty on here. Is hard to know without pulling the seals off and having a proper look what exactly it's going to need - am viewing remotely atm, looking at pics and chatting with the owner before going down to view, so it's a bit of guesswork, but I think I need to have worst case costs in mind..

Don’t get confused- there are 2 areas of Galvanic Corrosion.

1. Panel above windscreen.
The warranty period for this area is 6 yrs. The alloy used for this panel was changed from mid 2014. My vehicle is perfect in that area. VW’s repair involves cutting back some of the structure and bonding a plastic, colour coded, cap on. Lots of complaints about leaks.

2. Elevating roof section. Galvanic corrosion under the rubber/steel seal.
ALL California’s from 2010 to, I believe mid 2017, are subject to a Workshop Recall.
This involves removing the seal. Any minor corrosion is treated by the Dealership. A special clear tape is applied along the sides of the panel and if the seal is OK it is refitted or a new seal fitted.
If the degree of corrosion is deemed major then the vehicle is booked into a designated body shop for more extensive work and fitting the tape.

 

[Moakesy]

Certainly worth checking with VW before opening your wallet.

I sold my 2010 van 3 years ago (so 8 years old at the time). I hadn't had the roof done as the corrosion was really light and wasn't getting worse. The guy who bought it off me told me later that he'd checked with VW and they agreed to do it. Would have been getting close 9 years old at this point.

They can only say no, so it must be worth a shot.

If you do have to pay for it, I would shop around. Even if you do go for a specialist that VW use, VW will only have given instruction for the minimum needed to patch it up (to minimise the cost to themselves). If you find a good bodyshop, they may well do a better job for less money.

 

[Vandergraff]

Don’t get confused- there are 2 areas of Galvanic Corrosion.

1. Panel above windscreen.
The warranty period for this area is 6 yrs. The alloy used for this panel was changed from mid 2014. My vehicle is perfect in that area. VW’s repair involves cutting back some of the structure and bonding a plastic, colour coded, cap on. Lots of complaints about leaks.

2. Elevating roof section. Galvanic corrosion under the rubber/steel seal.
ALL California’s from 2010 to, I believe mid 2017, are subject to a Workshop Recall.
This involves removing the seal. Any minor corrosion is treated by the Dealership. A special clear tape is applied along the sides of the panel and if the seal is OK it is refitted or a new seal fitted.
If the degree of corrosion is deemed major then the vehicle is booked into a designated body shop for more extensive work and fitting the tape.

Thanks Welshgas - I’ve read a lot of posts on this but had no idea there were different warranty periods for the two different areas, that’s good to know! This should be on a sticky somewhere (maybe it is but I’ve not come across it yet).
I’m looking at one that was first registered in early 2015, so am guessing built mid to late 2014 so hopefully it’s using the new alloy on the front section, and so won’t need too much work ...

 

[BerndRos]

That sounds very promising BerndRos thanks - so yours is 11 years old but VW are still repairing under warranty at no cost to you?

Yes, exactly.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks Welshgas - I’ve read a lot of posts on this but had no idea there were different warranty periods for the two different areas, that’s good to know! This should be on a sticky somewhere (maybe it is but I’ve not come across it yet).
I’m looking at one that was first registered in early 2015, so am guessing built mid to late 2014 so hopefully it’s using the new alloy on the front section, and so won’t need too much work ...

Early 2015 means Model Year 2015 same as mine registered in December 2014. Front panel perfect on mine.
Mine has been kept outside since delivery. The elevating section was clear when the seal was removed and the special tape applied last year.

 

[Azteccamper]

Don’t get confused- there are 2 areas of Galvanic Corrosion.

1. Panel above windscreen.
The warranty period for this area is 6 yrs. The alloy used for this panel was changed from mid 2014. My vehicle is perfect in that area. VW’s repair involves cutting back some of the structure and bonding a plastic, colour coded, cap on. Lots of complaints about leaks.

2. Elevating roof section. Galvanic corrosion under the rubber/steel seal.
ALL California’s from 2010 to, I believe mid 2017, are subject to a Workshop Recall.
This involves removing the seal. Any minor corrosion is treated by the Dealership. A special clear tape is applied along the sides of the panel and if the seal is OK it is refitted or a new seal fitted.
If the degree of corrosion is deemed major then the vehicle is booked into a designated body shop for more extensive work and fitting the tape.

Regarding pt2 above have you got official evidence of this please? Sinclair VW deny this recall exists for my 2012 SE.

 

[WelshGas]

Regarding pt2 above have you got official evidence of this please? Sinclair VW deny this recall exists for my 2012 SE.

See Post 130.

Just announced - T6 recall for roof corrosion beneath the seal

And to prevent owners from looking for corrosion I suspect..... Agree. Also forgive my ignorance but is it possible to exclude moisture when a large metal panel is subject to heat and cold variations. Maybe a metalurgist could advise. Personally I doubt the effectiveness of tape even over a...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[ArunAlec]

Regarding pt2 above have you got official evidence of this please? Sinclair VW deny this recall exists for my 2012 SE.

If they are being pedantic, it’s a ”workshop campaign” rather than a recall. Mine was checked when it went in for a service 2 years ago and put on the long waiting list for tape….. still waiting!

 

[andyinluton]

My 2014 registered 2015my had zero corrosion in either area when sold in January. At its last service in October the garage did the new tape to the roof seal without being asked.

 

[LondonPride]

I have minor corrosion on the elevating roof. I wonder how hard / costly it would be at some stage to replace the roof? Rather than mess around with make goods which often seem to cause more issues. I'd be prepared to pay (say £1k) rather than workshop make more issues

 

[WelshGas]

I have minor corrosion on the elevating roof. I wonder how hard / costly it would be at some stage to replace the roof? Rather than mess around with make goods which often seem to cause more issues. I'd be prepared to pay (say £1k) rather than workshop make more issues

The original repair on the panel above the windscreen cost upwards of £4000 , as it is not just a simple panel but part of the roof structure passing down the sides as well. All 1 piece.

 

[LondonPride]

The original repair on the panel above the windscreen cost upwards of £4000 , as it is not just a simple panel but part of the roof structure passing down the sides as well. All 1 piece.

Yes. Can see that is and integral part of main shell of van. But the elevating roof must be a part which can be unscrewed and a new one applied. I guess it all fits as part of the top cap and frame which it sinks into, so can't get any roof - it needs to be the same roof as the original. But that would be my preferred choice in a few years time

 

[ArunAlec]

I have minor corrosion on the elevating roof. I wonder how hard / costly it would be at some stage to replace the roof? Rather than mess around with make goods which often seem to cause more issues. I'd be prepared to pay (say £1k) rather than workshop make more issues

If you intend to replace the lifting roof, then you’d have to fit a VW one, which could have exactly the same problem (unless VW really have solved the problem). I think I’ve seen second hand ones for £3k.

 

[WelshGas]

Yes. Can see that is and integral part of main shell of van. But the elevating roof must be a part which can be unscrewed and a new one applied. I guess it all fits as part of the top cap and frame which it sinks into, so can't get any roof - it needs to be the same roof as the original. But that would be my preferred choice in a few years time

If you are just talking about the elevating section, seeing as the Galvanic corrosion is cosmetic rather than structural, a good body shop used to vintage /private vehicles could sort that very easily together with a new seal. Rub down, high zinc primer and repaint with original or contrasting colour.

 

[Crispo]

Second owners of 2010 5.1.
When we bought van a few years ago, we checked and established warranty repair conducted in 2013. When it went in for a service mid 19, we were informed that this latest recall check had been conducted and identified issues requiring body shop outsourcing. Now we had noticed a small amount of evidence centrally above windscreen and hoped that would be included - van went in end of 2020, and both elevating roof and front cap repairs done under warranty. Were we lucky to get this on 10 year old van? Maybe the six years started after the original repair in 2013??

 

[briwy]

I guess you need to find out if it’s been logged onto the VW system for a recall repair or not. My Cali which I have owned from new in 2010, was serviced by a VW dealer a few months ago, at which time I was advised that a recall had shown up.

It was taken away from Hereford last week to Southport for the remedial work. They have provided a Golf with only a few miles on the clock for me to use while my Cali is away.

Good luck with that. Ours has been to Southport three times and still leaked like a sieve. I have ended up sealing it myself with Sikaflex.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Good luck with that. Ours has been to Southport three times and still leaked like a sieve. I have ended up sealing it myself with Sikaflex.

That’s why I sold my old van.
3 times it went to the experts at Volkswagen, each time it came back worse.
Sold the van in the end.
Never, ever would I let them useless +&£T near the roof again….!!!

O/P honestly, just let a local body shop rub down and colour in. Saves a load of time and frustration.