So some more of the bus is missing now. Decided to take out the entire long side. It was 50/50% as it was in good nick rust wise but was pretty battered and bruised. The clincher was looking down the inner sill and seeing crud in there that has survived 2 clean outs by me and one in the shop. I would rather pay that little bit extra and have it nicely cleaned and rust proofed in there before the new long side goes back on.
Unfortunately there is a lead time for getting the panel in of over a month. But not the end of the world. Brad is going to keep going with the rest and if he runs out of rust work the body fillers will be commenced on the inside, roof and passenger side. Sure that will keep him busy.
Fortunately the structure itself is good in there.
The plan is to fully weld the perimeter and attach the middle of the panel with sika so as to avoid any future distortion from movement in the frame apparently.
On a side note - Up until now I have been a little bit cagey as to who is doing my work as they work for another company and this is out of hours. I was not sure they wanted public recognition.
On the weekend Brad said he was now trying to get his name out there as him and Barry (I think thats the offsiders name) are wanting to get more consistent resto work on the cards.
So this is the shout out.
I was put onto Brad by a few different people or significant reputation within the VeeDub community. His pedigree is he used to do bodywork at Das Resto Haus and has worked on a number of busses that are in the top tier of the Aust vw scene. He then took a job with a hod rod restoration company who specialise in the high end gear. He still works there but my bus is being done under his own company in his own shed. (all work based on a budget worked on. Invoiced as real work through a real company)
The offsider / partner is also a panel beater from Das Resto. I have not met him yet but his quality is supposed to be as good.
The clincher for me though was after speaking and meeting with Brad he seemed genuine and truthful. Also has the tools and knows his stuff. (he even got my wife's approval which is big-ups as we have dealt with some absolute drop-kicks in the past)
So that is a good shout out from me and I think the work speaks for itself so far. Just drop me a line if you want to look at getting resto work done. They would be willing to tackle anything from part resto's and welding to full resto's I am sure.
