VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[GwynF]

If VW can't find an approved repair shop in the UK for the roof corrosion ask them to fund you to take it to Germany for the repair, make a nice Summer holiday

It's worth a try...

 

[KGCali]

Yes Claridges did ours and thus far have been pleased with it. It does appear to be the sealant that's breaking down. Thanks for this.

VW changed the sealant spec in 2019 see note from Claridges below when I had mine repaired again in 2020, been good since then ...

Claridges response -" I am guessing this initial repair was carried out some time back as this problem is normally due to the sealer and bonding that was used. VW did change these around November 2019 so if your repair was before this then this would be what has caused your leak. "

Hope Claridges can still repair yours.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Well, there is that.

Just when you see some of the photos. I would be tempted to take it to a proper bodyshop and pay for it myself but at least actually have it fixed. It depends what is the actual problem, original aluminium cap or bodged plastic thing. Knowing next time they will walk away do you want them to do another VW bodge?

I don't speak from experience - my 2008 van has a bit of bubbling but you have to get up close to see it and certainly not structural or leaking - I'm just used to seeing terrible photos and terrible VW service on this forum. Not sure why I'm lucky. I have kept it clean for 15 years and I have a pet theory that light colours fair better.

 

[GwynF]

Just when you see some of the photos. I would be tempted to take it to a proper bodyshop and pay for it myself but at least actually have it fixed. It depends what is the actual problem, original aluminium cap or bodged plastic thing. Knowing next time they will walk away do you want them to do another VW bodge?

I don't speak from experience - my 2008 van has a bit of bubbling but you have to get up close to see it and certainly not structural or leaking - I'm just used to seeing terrible photos and terrible VW service on this forum. Not sure why I'm lucky. I have kept it clean for 15 years and I have a pet theory that light colours fair better.

Ours is dark metallic blue .........

 

[GwynF]

VW changed the sealant spec in 2019 see note from Claridges below when I had mine repaired again in 2020, been good since then ...

Claridges response -" I am guessing this initial repair was carried out some time back as this problem is normally due to the sealer and bonding that was used. VW did change these around November 2019 so if your repair was before this then this would be what has caused your leak. "

Hope Claridges can still repair yours.

Thanks for this

 

[BoredArtist]

Anyone have any thoughts on going down the "Wrap" route instead of paint route with the front cowl?

 

[WelshGas]

Anyone have any thoughts on going down the "Wrap" route instead of paint route with the front cowl?

Doesn’t matter if it is wrapped or painted. The bubbling would have to be rubbed down , primed etc; before it could be wrapped. Also , for aesthetics I presume you would want to colour match so you could end up wrapping the whole roof. Much easier for an expert to match the paint colour , even old paint that might have faded.

 

[TripleBee]

Doesn’t matter if it is wrapped or painted. The bubbling would have to be rubbed down , primed etc; before it could be wrapped. Also , for aesthetics I presume you would want to colour match so you could end up wrapping the whole roof. Much easier for an expert to match the paint colour , even old paint that might have faded.

You could paint and then wrap it with clear wrap.
But then you should be sure that the galvanic corrosion doesn't start again from underneath.
Maybe from time to time (every 5 to 10 years) a little spot repair wouldn't be the end of the world?

 

[BoredArtist]

Doesn’t matter if it is wrapped or painted. The bubbling would have to be rubbed down , primed etc; before it could be wrapped. Also , for aesthetics I presume you would want to colour match so you could end up wrapping the whole roof. Much easier for an expert to match the paint colour , even old paint that might have faded.

What would you guess a ball park price for cowl rub down and repaint whilst in place might be?....and a price for taking it off and having it done...I think LLLParts supply a new cowl (Primed) £137

 

[WelshGas]

What would you guess a ball park price for cowl rub down and repaint whilst in place might be?....and a price for taking it off and having it done...I think LLLParts supply a new cowl (Primed) £137

A member in Scotland paid about £450 by a body firm specialist with aluminium body panels. Older Land Rovers suffer the same problem

The original VW repair, cost £4500 or so. A member saw the warranty claim/Invoice.

The Cowl and reinforcing plate with side arms was replaced and involved all the hydraulics being removed + windscreen during the repair. Not a simple job.

 

[BoredArtist]

A member in Scotland paid about £450 by a body firm specialist with aluminium body panels. Older Land Rovers suffer the same problem

I presume that was whilst it was still on the van.....Hard question I know ..but what would you consider too high a price...£600......£700?

 

[WelshGas]

I presume that was whilst it was still on the van.....Hard question I know ..but what would you consider too high a price...£600......£700?

Personally under £750 no brainer if I was keeping the vehicle.

 

[Poppins]

And would you get that done now before the winter, or let it run and do it in spring so it's looking it's best in the summer season?

 

[WelshGas]

And would you get that done now before the winter, or let it run and do it in spring so it's looking it's best in the summer season?

Don’t think it really matters when. No rush. I would look for a Bodyshop that has a good reputation, undertakes restoration repairs/resprays and knows about galvanic corrosion on aluminium body panels, not your high volume insurance accident repairs.

 

[WelshGas]

And would you get that done now before the winter, or let it run and do it in spring so it's looking it's best in the summer season?

Don’t think it really matters when. No rush. I would look for a Bodyshop that has a good reputation, undertakes restoration repairs/resprays and knows about galvanic corrosion on aluminium body panels, not your high volume insurance accident repairs.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Don’t think it really matters when. No rush. I would look for a Bodyshop that has a good reputation, undertakes restoration repairs/resprays and knows about galvanic corrosion on aluminium body panels, not your high volume insurance accident repairs.

You need a dedicated spray booth for Alu to avoid contamination. If they use the same spray booth for steel / alu the problem will come back irrespective of how much experience they have.

 

[BoredArtist]

LLLParts can supply a VW original part primed roof cowl for about £140.
Are there any pictures on this site(or anywhere else) of what it looks like behind the headlining at the front to access the bolt which secures the cowl? Is this replacement panel a route worth going dow...obviously it means not having to sand down the original.

 

[clarinetbcn]

LLLParts can supply a VW original part primed roof cowl for about £140.
Are there any pictures on this site(or anywhere else) of what it looks like behind the headlining at the front to access the bolt which secures the cowl? Is this replacement panel a route worth going dow...obviously it means not having to sand down the original.

Sounds like VW’s plastic stick on cowl to cover up the corrosion. The original cowl extends more than halfway down the sides of the roof to strengthen the roof after cutting the hole for the pop top. Expensive, which is why VW stopped doing the repair, and now just cuts out the corroded surface near the windshield and glues a plastic cover on top to cover up the rest.

 

[BoredArtist]

Sounds like VW’s plastic stick on cowl to cover up the corrosion. The original cowl extends more than halfway down the sides of the roof to strengthen the roof after cutting the hole for the pop top. Expensive, which is why VW stopped doing the repair, and now just cuts out the corroded surface near the windshield and glues a plastic cover on top to cover up the rest.

Is this the part we call the cowl?

 

[clarinetbcn]

Is this the part we call the cowl?

View attachment 128946

This is the original VW T5 California cowl, all one piece.

 

[BoredArtist]

Thank you for posting a reply. Obviously I won't be taking that part of my van out...ever.
Must admit I'm struggling to find a trusted (or otherwise) body shop interested in sanding it down and painting it.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Thank you for posting a reply. Obviously I won't be taking that part of my van out...ever.
Must admit I'm struggling to find a trusted (or otherwise) body shop interested in sanding it down and painting it.

Do you want to post some pictures of it. Just so we can see what’s wrong?
Is it leaking? It isn’t corrosion as such.

 

[BoredArtist]

Do you want to post some pictures of it. Just so we can see what’s wrong?
Is it leaking? It isn’t corrosion as such.

No sign of leaking...it's just a mess

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I mean removing/replacing would clearly be a big job. Doesn’t look like something you want to stick a plastic cap over.
Oddly it looks like rust but it can’t be as it’s aluminium. I don’t quite understand the cause as it’s the bit which would touch the roof which is also aluminium but I suppose it’s the steel strip inside the rubber seal.
It’s not huge. A picture is very helpful. I have some small bubbling in that area.
I think your plan of finding a good body shop is best. It might not be easy to find but probably best bet.

You want to avoid cutting away and welding as previously people have done that but the body shop hasn’t realised that under the cap is the roof pump etc. Easily damaged.

 

[Perfectos]

No sign of leaking...it's just a mess

View attachment 128950

View attachment 128951

What does your roof seal look like , presumably rusty in the recess tgat grips the roof ?