I'm working on the body of a 1984 now.  I took over a year to replace the engine with a 2.1 from Bob.
It took so long because I didn't need to drive it and I went over everything mechanical.

So I've got all the windows out, the doors off etc.
I notice a hole under the sliding door rail.  I had a friend come over and give me some 
advice.  He said you can do two things. 1.) leave it alone 2.) drill out the spot welds and take 
the whole rail off and replace the bad metal completely. 

I'm glad I drilled out the welds and took it off.  The whole rail's back side was rusting out.
The plan is to cut out all the bad body metal and weld the rail back on.

I used por 15 on the sand blasted rail and will do the same on the body.
Once that is welded back on I'll use a bunch of seam sealer to prevent water getting behind the rail 
again.

There's a lot to learn doing body work.  Like the reason you wet sand is because it keeps the sand paper
clean and free of build up. 

Well that's it.  No questions.  Just some Vanagon Content as on list member suggested in their subject title.

John.