Vanagonauts,

My trusty '82 Westy is suffering from cancer in small spots all over
the van.  In the desert, where I currently live, it will take many
more years to do any real damage to the van.  However, I'm moving to
New Hampshire next spring.  I worry for the van.  I have already
arranged indoor storage, but I know that the rust will accellerate in
the humid climate.

Photos here <http://picasaweb.google.com/slowmachine82/VanRust>

I greatly admire the restoration work that is being done by some of
our list members, but I think the cost is beyond my budget.  I'm
looking for recommended strategy and techniques for dealing with this
myself.  Stripping the van and paying a professional body shop is not
an option, at least not in the next 12 months.  I'd like to be able to
do small areas on the weekends.  I'm more concerned with corrosion
control than cosmetics, but I'd like the van to remain all-white while
I do spot repairs.  Precise color-matching of the spot repairs is not
important to me.

In the past, I have attempted rust repair on other vehicles by
sanding, rust converter spray, prime and paint.  The rust returned
every time.  I have a compressor that is too small for full-on
sand/media blasting, but it may be enough for one of Eastwood's
spot-blasters.

I don't want this to get out of control and destroy this wonderful
van.  Please point me in the right direction.

--
Michael Snow
1982 Westfalia 1.9TD
http://slowmachine82.blogspot.com/