I did 19 vans (full job) since 4 years + 15 smaller job, even new metal
sheet / skin need some filler.
http://www.benplace.com/85rouge/rouge44.JPG
http://www.benplace.com/85rouge/body1.jpg
http://www.benplace.com/85rouge/body11.jpg
http://www.benplace.com/85rouge/body44.jpg
(and you won't see any wave on mine.... but you have no idea on the # of
hours involve)

Even it the "fit" of the skin / metal sheet is perfect, the part itself will
show some wave and imperfection. And the one i use are German made.

The real hard part is the sanding. It's very difficult to straighten
(sanding) a warped "straight" sheet metal. And a Vanagon is only made of
that.... flat straight panel. They are harder to paint also for the same
reason (Aries K car era with difficult extrusion) . I did a rounded modern
car and an Explorer this year... i big easy joke. Painting a Vanagon is
dificult, the risk of "Runs" is everywhere in those extrusion / angle carving.

I don't know what is the damage on your van and would be curious to see a
picture. But i agree that if the structure is really bent / damage you need
new metal. It's not a question of look but solidity / security.

Also, like Craig said, new modern product are exceptional and have nothing
to do with the old stuff that barely stick to metal.

Filler is design to perfectly shape and remove some small dent or
imperfection, not the reshape the whole front.

If the front end need a swap / new clip.... get a donor van, but 22 hours
look fair to me, it's a 3 days job from start to finish. The swap should
take about 1 big day of work, the second day, do the rough and maybe some
final touch. Now it's not prep and far from being painted.

I have been there (but I'm not going there anymore, way to much work):
http://www.benplace.com/alain87.htm

Good luck.
Ben

On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:13:24 -0800, Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

>Volks-
>
>Quick one for those in the know:
>
>* Body shop initially told me that they could shape the front panel (below
>the grille/above front bumper cladding) back to "new" for considerably less
>than the 22 hours it would take to replace it.
>
>* I was sent me an estimate that included replacement of the panel (at 22
>hours) and when I called to ask why they didn't do the estimate to include
>the reshaping, was told it was due to replacement being "the right thing to
>do".
>  -Note: He still is saying that he can do it, but that replacement is
>(again) "the right thing to do".
>
>* My question: If the panel can be re-shaped to look the same as it did
>before the accident, why is replacement "the right thing to do"? Is it
>because he'll make more money replacing it rather than reshaping it (making
>it the right thing for HIM to do)?
>OR, rather, are there structural integrity issues at play that I've not been
>advised of?
>
>Insurance *may* cover replacement, but I want to make sure that I'm doing
>the REAL "right thing" for both me (fiscally) and my Van.
>
>-Drew
>'90 GL "Blackbeard"
>
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