Sill / wheel arch rust repair

[en2rafg]

Hi all,

Hopefully this hasn't been covered too often before.

I'm looking to get the rust repaired on my sliding door sill and wheel arches, and I just was wondering if my plan seems sound?
First off, the problems:
Rear of sliding door runner/ rear wheel arch

Front of sliding door runner

General wheel arch rust (all 4 need work):

The plan:
I've seen a complete sliding door runner/step fabrication on VW heritage, but it's quite pricy. I was wondering if anyone has had this repair done before as I was looking at using the two sections before from Just Kampers. which are much cheaper, but I'm guessing a lot more work to fit.

For wheel arches I was planning on getting the smaller panels below for the repair.


Does this plan sound OK or am I barking up the wrong tree? I'm estimating it's going to cost me £1000 to get the panels and get the welding work done (not including any paint). Any thoughts would be helpful!

Thanks!
Rob

 

[ArunAlec]

Assuming you are getting someone else to do the welding I would get their opinion as they going to have the challenge of making it all fit together.
I would be be inclined to go for the larger panel because once you start to cut back the rust you will probably find it’s more extensive than it appear.

 

[en2rafg]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll have a word with the welder. The cheaper option that needs fabricated is just under £60 and the fabricated assembly is £450. I guess I'll have to see if the extra labour justifies the cheaper option!

 

[Legin]

Your on the right track. The golden rule when using pattern panels is they dont fit so repairers use as litte of them as possible. The repairs in the top two pics are best left to the welder to make and fit pieces as in the pic the damage looks minor.

The wheel arches are probably ok to use panels , I can see one is bodged already, the welder will cut them down. Also keep in mind the inner arch will likely need repairs also and again best left to the repairer to make them up.
Its very much a fitting job and I have just done the same on a BMW e36 for my son. TBH is was hard going. A factory panel has much sharper swage lines because its die pressed whereas these cheapo ones are rubber pressed and roughly the right shape.
Depends how bothered you are, I tend to be a bit to perfectionist.
I think your cost for supply and fit is about right plus fill and paint on top

 

[en2rafg]

Thanks for the info. The next port of call will be a respray. The paint is in pretty bad shape all over the van but I was quoted £4k+ for a full respray, so might just have to get the repaired areas sprayed