It’s now or never
Fearful that unchecked bodywork issues could become too expensive to sort in the future, David stumps up for the necessary repairs now
VOLKSWAGEN TYPE CAMPER
In my report towards the end of last year, I outlined the work that was needed to bring GVF 530L up to spec concerning front-end rust bubbles and corrosion in the cab doors, oor and sills. If left untreated the front would soon be rotten.
Having enjoyed a good season with 25 nights camping in Norfolk over summer, September breaks, and ending at Blue Skies Campsite near Wells-next-the-sea brought matters to a close. The camping equipment was removed and cleaned for overwinter storage and the T2 driven to VW Aircooled Works, Lincolnshire, in November so that the prescribed work could be carried out. Several items required for the work had been ordered up front to beat expected price rises and were ready and waiting at the workshop. Peter Shaw and Josh Moldford lost no time in getting to grips with the problems and I was soon receiving detailed updates and images to show how the workload was progressing.
There is always a worry that past bodges will be revealed once you start digging into problem areas and there were a fair amount of those tucked away that soon came to light. A mess of ller, mastic and rust is never welcome but is sadly an all too common sight.
The main change of plan came as a result of the rear tubs being in worse condition than was hoped and being too far gone to repair. New tubs would need ordering and welding in. These particular tubs have only recently become available but are perfect copies of the originals and t a treat. New arches over the wheels were also tted well with narrower gaps between them and the doors.
The repairs under the rear chassis cross members and front cross members were completed, box sections Waxoyled, the cab interior re-tted and the cab doors removed, investigated, repaired and re-tted.
The underside treatment epoxy mastic chassis protection was followed by a protective layer of Waxoyl on the underside and injected into box sections.
Work was completed before Christmas and GVF 530L was left in the workshop until a dry spell and salt-free roads last month enabled me to check the work over with Peter and Josh and then drive it home on the Lincolnshire back roads.
The camper looks very patchy at present so the next task is to nd someone to complete the job by prepping it for a fresh coat of blue paint to keep all of that work on the bottom half in pristine condition.