What is terminal rust?

[adam perth]

G'day

Just after some opinions from those in the trade or who have been down the resto track as to what constitues 'terminal' rust in panel van bodies?

I know almost anything can be repaired, but i imagine the cost of some rust repairs would make fixing it not worthwhile when you could just search and wait and find a decent donor body.

How have you guys gone repairing roof gutter rust, front firewall/floor seams and ute/panel van side joins?? What have been the costs of your rust repairs if you have paid 'beaters do to it?

What are some signs on a body where you would immediately decide that it would be too much work and to find another one?

Do 'beaters fabricate their own replacement panels or do they use rare spares bits if they are available?

Any assistance/advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Thhat van doesn't look too promising.
best thing to do is get a compressor and an orbital sander and wizz it back and see what you have underneath. Cost $200

[ozbox]

steve,have you got a couple of overall pictures?
i would have to disagree with gts and adam about the seriosness of that rust just on what i see in pictures..
i do agree but that it needs to be looked at to see how deep it really is.
i would not classify that as terminal rust if its a windowless body.

[mcdvi]

Hi, new to the forum, thought i would throw my 2 cents in.
Last car i had work done on was 75h/r.
Things have slowed quite a bit since then so i doubt the rate has increased.
You will be surprised what a good tradesman can fix in a short amount of time. I spent about 5 grand having
my hj rust repaired & repainted approx 20 yrs ago. At the time every one said i was stuipid spending that kind of money on it.
Not one sign of the rust reappearing after all these years, money well spent I say.
So question is what is the car worth to you,(governs what you spend) the rust in those pics is certainly fixable
Cheers Vic.

[GTS]

steve,have you got a couple of overall pictures?
i would have to disagree with gts and adam about the seriosness of that rust just on what i see in pictures..

If you look at the pic of the 1/4 panel it has, what I'd call, big rust holes from the inside of the panel. I had a hole in the sill of my van about the size of the end of a pen....it turned out to be rust the size of a carton of pens once I opened it up. The little bit that actually makes it to the outside of a panel is hiding a multitude of sins beneath it.
And, like I said in my reply, it is possibly repairable by the right person. Most of the rust in the pics looks repirable although it will be a big job.
You really have nothing to lose so start cutting to see what you've got....if it all turns to crap then you have lost nothing really.

[sstevo05]

G'day,

Sorry it took so long but finally had the chance (and the weather - just) to roll the van out and get some overall pics.









As you can see the worst is the driver's side roof. The windowless area is almost perfect.

Interested to hear any of your comments as to how usable it is - dont be afraid to burst my bubble if you think its a wreck.

Ultimately i am just after some second opinions before i trailer it to the bodyshop for a monetary opinion!

Thanks again for your time.

Cheers

Dave

[stickthis]

G'day,

Sorry it took so long but finally had the chance (and the weather - just) to roll the van out and get some overall pics.




As you can see the worst is the driver's side roof. The windowless area is almost perfect.

Interested to hear any of your comments as to how usable it is - dont be afraid to burst my bubble if you think its a wreck.

Ultimately i am just after some second opinions before i trailer it to the bodyshop for a monetary opinion!

Thanks again for your time.

Cheers

Dave

Hmm Dave, if that is a genuine white HZ Sandman van yeh mate its a write off. I think you should sell it to me! hahaha. No looks all repairable to me mate.

[RAEME]

I agree mate. Nothing there thats not fixable that i can see. An oxy set a good Mig and quite a few cases of the good stuff, Acca Dacca thumping out across the culdasac sounds like a good weekend.

[GTS]

Big pictures make a difference. It doesnt look as bad as I originally thought, although as I said before, it's not for a beginner unless you have a guiding hand like I'm lucky enough to have. I say go for it