Rust hole advice

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Aenirethac
Apprentice Bongonaut
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Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2021 2:56 pm

Rust hole advice

Post by Aenirethac » Fri Feb 19, 2021 3:10 pm

Hi all,
Brand new to this site, only had my high top bongo a year.
A few weeks ago we tried to sort out some rust on the body work, but as we were sanding, we went straight through by the wheel arch and there is now a rusty hole. Water has also got in the boot flap by the lights, and there is rusty water dripping out of a hole when we open the boot.
We put down tools and took it to several garages, body shops etc, did a fair bit of googling too, but have come back with confusing and contradictory advice:
-one garage said they would cut out and treat rust and rivet a small panel to the hole, as well as water testing and treating rust in the boot flap
-another told us we would have to rip out every thing inside and replace the boot flap and wheel arches
-another said we may as well not bother, just treat the rust ourselves and stick some plastic to it until we are forced to replace wheel arches etc
Does anyone have any advice? I was inclined to go with the first option but the garage is messing us around and won't send a quote :( we live in Cardiff at the moment
Any help appreciated
Cat
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g8dhe
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Re: Rust hole advice

Post by g8dhe » Fri Feb 19, 2021 3:30 pm

Welcome!
Yes common problem, normal, best solution, is to cut out and weld in replacement arches see here;
http://www.g8dhe.net/bongo_images/Paul_ ... he_arches/
several arch types available on eBay will fit, some might need a small fillet added central top if your critical about matching the original curve etc.
Geoff
2001 Aero V6, AFT, full side conversion.
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