Hi! We have got a much loved T25 which is in quite good condition for its age, but this summer have noticed quite a few rust spots starting up. Can anyone recommend a firm in the south east that can do a reliable job. We're not confident in doing it ourselves as we want the work to last.
We had it partly resprayed last year and were very pleased at first, but the rust is coming through already, and we want to catch it before it gets much worse.
As you say the rust is coming thru already, which should suggest to you that the rust is coming from the inside. Unfortunately a well used camper rusts from the inside outwards due to the condensation from its sleeping occupants breath.
The main problem with a T25 is that the body has seams, which I would guess where your rust is, the seams are spot welded & sealed with mastic, over the years the condensation gets into the seams from the inside & unfortunately the rust is pretty impossible to kill. You can pay £100s for a 'proffesional' repair & still the rust will return, so it really aint worth it.
you need to remove the inside panels & attack the rust from the inside. Taking off the rear inside panels could reveal a total horror story, you need to rub it down & treat with some hi tec stuff like por15
Its best you do this yourself, it would cost a fortune at commercial rates & truth is once rust has got into a T25 theres very little you can do about it except patch it up unless you want to start welding on new panels. Have you lifted the rubber mats in the cab & looked under the rear seats? you may find more rust there, a T25 will rust just about anywhere. You can find rust free examples but they are normally buses not campers that have been slept in a great deal.
I would just spend yer money on camping trips.
------------- Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!
He! He! I wouldnt call myself that but after 10yrs of tinkering with T25s you learn a bit. Have you looked at T25 specific sites club80-90 & brick-yard ?
------------- Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!
Will take a look. Another (related) query perhaps you can help with? The sill under the sliding door is very rusty. Do they make separate sills that can replace the existing one, or is that another thing that isn't really worth the money?
You can get replacement body parts for T25s no problem but obviously a big job, needs welding, how bad is the sill, has it rotted right thru? if it hasnt try to clean most of the rust off(electric drill with wire brush attachment), treat with rust treatment & prime & paint, if its rusted right thru thats an MOT failure so will need welding.
------------- Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!
God im not even going to tell you how bad my rear wheel archs are getting...it's awful to see my poor bus in such a state...i think next spring i will get cracking on them with some good filler etc ...luckily i am not looking for show room finish...lol
Nannycatch
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Lord Scratcher and Lady Jayne
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You tried your best
and failed MISERABLY.
The lesson is : NEVER TRY .