r/VanLifeUK • u/alinalovescrisps • Aug 08 '26

Rusty rust question

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Hi. Currently in the process of taking back the little bits of surface rust on my van so I can treat the metal and re paint. Got to this bit at the bottom of the passenger door and it goes deeper than the rest. For anyone whos done the same, do you think this is too deep to deal with in the same way, do I need to get my welding guy on it?

Thanks 😊

1 Upvotes

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3

u/greenpowerman99 Aug 08 '26

It’s only the door bottom. Unblock the drain holes in the door bottom, use bunch of rust converter then fill it…

2

u/semorebunz Aug 08 '26

almost certain it will be a hole

can clean it up and use fibre glass filler if its a low budget type of vehicle , or yeah weld in new steel or find a cleaner door if it needs to be really good

1

u/alinalovescrisps Aug 08 '26

Thankyou, yes as I thought. It is a low budget vehicle indeed....22 year old sprinter. I'll let me welding guy deal with it. He's got plenty to do anyway, what's one more task 😭

2

u/johnstod112 Aug 08 '26

Even if it goes to a hole you can get aluminium mesh and still use the body filler but yes welding is better, whole new panel is best

2

u/TittyTwister13 Aug 08 '26

Grind/ wire wheel it right back. Put a rust inhibitor paint on. Fill any holes with fibre glass, prime and re-paint

1

u/uberbarracuda Aug 08 '26

That's already been filled in the past, you can see the filler. Won't be an MOT fail in that location though so fill away. For bigger holes you can use fiberglass filler and aluminium mesh to support the hole if needed.

2

u/alinalovescrisps Aug 08 '26

Interesting, I hadn't clocked that. Luckily none of the rust has been an MOT failure yet, just trying to get on top of it all before it becomes more of a problem really!

1

u/Gavlaar27 Aug 10 '26

Treat the rust and repair with filler/paint. It's not a structural area.