3M makes a panel bonding adhesive for autumotive repair, they claim is
better than welding in most cases. I do tend to trust 3M, they seem like
one of the few companies whose products actually live up to the hype.
Now, I have absolutely NO experience with this product, but was referred
to it from some other posting, on a Yahoo group I think.

The product is: -  3MT AutomixT Panel Bonding, a Two-part urethane and
epoxy adhesives designed to bond sheet metal, aluminum, SMC and FRP,
(traditional fiberglass)- from their web page. Just search on the name,
or give the below URL an attempt. You can also go to 3m.com, and drill
your way there.

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/automotive_aft
ermarket/node_GSNPLCPK5Bbe/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSLPLPKL4Xge/gvel_6DT
WTJQPBBgl/theme_us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html

At any rate, this may make repairs easier and better. Good luck, may the
restoration come out nicely!

Ron
'86 SW - Quadrat
'88 Wolfie - Bluberry 'etc.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of ian Butler
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2003 12:55 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Floorpan rust

A surprise at every corner as I strip down my syncro to clean it out!

Over the past month or two I've been gradually pulling the interior of
my van (seven-passenger) out, cleaning each bit of upholstery
meticulously, washing long-forgotten surfaces, etc.  I also got a chance
to look at my leaky rear heater.  I knew it had been leaking, of course,
but kept it closed to prevent any serious puddles.

Well!  Tonight I finally pulled the carpet out, and carefully dislodged
all the pieces of sculpted squishymat to reveal: puddles, rust bubbles,
and holes.  Ack!  To add insult to injury, the puddles are green -- the
PO not only didn't ever fix the rear heater, but was using the Bad Kind
of coolant.

I managed to clean up the sandpapery, rusty undersides of the mats, and
I'm going to thoroughly clean up the entire floor tomorrow.  (It's a bit
smelly after sitting in stagnant antifreeze for untold years.)  I'm not
entirely sure how to fix the holes and other rust damage, though.  It
looks like I'm in for many long evenings with a Dremel and POR-15, and
some sort of body filler.  Any recommendations?

Most of the damage is pictured here:

http://bluemoon.hplx.net/~ian/bus/rust/P6050154.JPG

ian Butler / ian@bluemoon.hplx.net
'88 Scirocco 16v, '87 Syncro GL