Side Trim Repair

Hi,

Under the trim below the rear side windows I noticed some rust, mainly it's on the V piece where the trim is hung from and under that along the side of the bus in small patches below the rear windows. The V pieces are a little loose from the corrosion at the ends. It's not bad at all but needs doing, below that area in the sliding door channel, there is no rust at all.

To repair this, I was thinking about removing the V piece, treating the rust and prime, paint etc. then installing the new V pieces.

It was suggested by a local bodyshop, that I had take a look, that I should take out the rear side windows also and check around them too and deal with that at the same time if there is a problem under the seals.

I've sourced replacement V pieces, rubber seal for the side trim and decent window seals.

Questions are, how difficult would it be for me to take out the rear side windows and refit, is this a home job or should I get someone in to do that part? And secondly, would you recommend taking the windows out at all whilst I'm sorting out these patches of rust?

Advice appreciated as always, thanks.

 

If there are bumps along the seal it will be rust pushing up. Any bumps if you run your finger along it?
That said it won't be very easy/convenient to do what your suggesting without removing the window.

 

This is one of the areas that can look not to bad on the face of it but actually be quite bad once you start digging.
Is yours a panel van conversion or micro bus?

 

It’s a Kombi conversion to a camper by Devon. I’ll have a look in the morning to see if there are bumps under there.

I’m leaning to taking the windows out and giving it all a once over.

thanks

 

Pictures always help!

 

I’d whip the windows out. The recesses for the seals are quite deep and eventually rot. You likely won’t like what you find

 

You aren’t alone.
Behind my rails it’s awful.
I’ll be taking the windows out but hopefully preserving the seals, as they were newly put on (shouldn’t have been and the quality kind) by the PO.
Paradox performed miracles with his, so there is hope for us.


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Photos included, on the surface it does not look awful but the seals are a little bumpy where the rust is. I’ll take the windows out and sort it properly.

thanks for the advice.

 

That appears to be bulging out in places below the cover retaining strip.
I think if you did a bit of poking about you may well find it goes straight through

 

No miracles here
I think I was just lucky enough to catch it before it went any further.

 

The strips been replaced with an aftermarket one , AH Schofields sell the correct one , I would say yours has probably rusted from the welds to hold the new rail

 

Thanks for the comments and advice, I’ll get the right trim channels and see what’s hiding under the windows.

 

Finally back to it after a bout of Covid.

Got the window out and was pleasantly surprised with what I found. Really not that bad, just a couple of small holes where the welds were.

 

After sanding, rust treatment, a little filler and primer.

 

Very nice, but what's going to hold your side trim on?

 

i didn’t want to mention it, but

 

I have some pieces from Schofields to attach that will hold the trim..

 

Trim holder attached.

 

Just to finish off this thread, both sides repaired, I’ve put the windows back in, happy with the result.

last bit of trim to pop on and done.

Thanks for the helpful comments. Next is a new pop top canvas..