Repair of places of through corrosion or damage associated with the rupture of the base metal
♦ Use it to remove the paint from the damaged area and from an area of about 2.5 cm around its perimeter, using a knife, washer and a power tool will greatly facilitate the task.
Once all paint has been removed, the extent of corrosion can be fully assessed and a decision can be made whether to replace the entire panel (if possible) or repair the damaged area.
Body panels are not as expensive as commonly thought, the cost of replacement is usually equal to the cost of the panel itself, and therefore it is sometimes much faster and cheaper to replace the entire panel than to try to restore large parts damaged by corrosion. We would still recommend replacing the VW T4 body panel (wing, jack stand, etc.) with specialists - bodybuilders, but if you have the desire, strength, tools and time, then: remove everything that is installed from the damaged area
, for with the exception of those body elements and parts that can be used as a template for installing a new panel (for example, headlight mounting brackets, etc.). Then, using a cut-off grinder or a special power tool (which is best, because it does not deform the remaining tunes), or metal shears, a chisel, remove the damaged panel or its damaged part. The edges of the remaining panels should be cleaned, if a hole has formed (preferably not round), then, having cleaned the edges, slightly bend them inward with a hammer in order to facilitate gluing the “patch”. ♦ Treat the edges of the damaged area with a compound to form a protective layer, if there is access from the reverse side of the damaged area, treat the reverse side in the same way.
♦ If the hole is small (not larger than 30x30mm), stick aluminum foil on it (with appropriate adhesive).
Cut out a piece that roughly matches the shape of the hole, but is slightly larger, then glue it onto the hole. ♦ Recently, an aluminum sheet with a paper backing has appeared, which covers the adhesive layer. This tape can be used for small or narrow holes, unwind a piece of the desired size, give it the approximate size and shape that is needed, then, removing the paper from the piece of tape, stick it over the hole; it is possible to impose several layers on the same place if the resulting thickness is insufficient. Tap the edges of the tape with the handle of a screwdriver or something similar to make sure the tape is properly adhered. The edges of the hole must be finished as described above.
Removing the CV joint T4 . Transmission components .