Wet floor syndrome potential fix

[north54]

Hey all,

Once again trying to cross another task off the list of things to do. This time, wet floors. I cringe when it rains outside and my poor deli is there unsheltered, I just know the drivers side floor will be wet again. So Vancouver has had a bit of a dry spell and its time to get even.

I searched and searched for possible solutions, then of course had to follow the one that required the most work! Thanks Mystery Machine.

http://www.mdocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12646

So getting the light pod removed was the easy part. 3 screws to go I figured "no biggie!" Well I was wrong.

Upon removing the pod, the 2 screws at the bottom of the 1/4 panel were rounded off. Looks like a previous owner tried and gave up. The top one under the weatherstripping was useless as well. No screwdriver would do the trick. So always up to a good challenge I drilled, then pried, then drilled in reverse, 30 mins later the 2 on the bottom were out.

Luckily the attachment at the top is a slot so if you loosen the screw just a bit you can wiggle the plate and slide it down.

If it was a hole and you have to remove the screw I still might be burning the midnight oil.

So the 1/4 panel was off and it wasn't pretty underneath. The sealer was badly rotted and still had some wet sludge caked to it:



Use a sharp chisel and wire brush to clean the remaining sealer. It mostly just fell off. Then take a wire wheel and clean it up nice.



You can see the gaps in the panels:



Next was sealing it with some silicon, hopefully this does the trick.



I replaced the screws with some stainless ones and the 1/4 panel was back on fast. I'll do the passenger side next week just for safe measure.

So did it work? Well I guess we'll find out when the Vancouver rain hits.

[Big-Bird]

Nice work.

But if one were to prime the wire-brushed metal with a rust preventive primer before application of the sealant this would ensure a longer life of the repair. If you use acrylic sealant or automotive body sealant like Mystery Machine mentions instead of silicone then the repair can be painted to add a further layer of protection (paint won't adhere to silicone).

Brushable POR-15 is one product but there are others in a spray can that work just as good at converting oxidized metal to a primed-like surface.

[north54]

Big Bird, I own and love POR-15, use it often but I was strapped for time in this instance. I'm all about doing it right the first time so I won't mind retracing my footsteps and resealing it again if it starts to leak.

Cheers

[Jester]

I think locally guys also run a bead of silicon on the seam between the 1/4 panel and the front. from the windshield seal all the way down.

[north54]

So after a couple days of rain it looks like the fix was a success. I look forward to less musty smelling van now.