Volkswagen Camper & Commercial – May 2019

ust is perhaps the number one enemy

of most Buses, and it’s the hidden areas,

such as the underside, where the nastiest

surprises can emerge. We last covered a

general How To guide on rustproofing a Bus in issue 73

(over five years ago), so this time, we’re looking at one

particular area, the underneath.

Whilst the application of a rustproofing product

generally doesn’t take very long, it’s the preparation

work that takes up more of the time and is perhaps

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: ROB HAWKINS

Keep the tinworm away with our guide to rustproofing

the underneath of a Bus.

Rustproof the underside of a Bus

How To

R

Rob Hawkins has

been a motoring

journalist and

photographer

since 1993. He

bought a 1976 Bay

in 2010 and uses

it for European

family holidays.

To o l s

Needed

QBreathing

mask

QClean cloths

QGoggles and

gloves

QMetal primer

paint

QPaint brush

QRust converter

QUnderseal

QWax/oil-based

rustproofing

solution

QWhite spirit

QWire brush

the most important aspect of the job. Cutting corners

on the preparation work increases the risk of corrosion

becoming trapped and inevitably spreading. So dirt, flaky

paintwork, dried-up underseal and surface corrosion all

need to be treated first. This preparation work can feel

like you are about to open a can of worms. It’s likely that

rust will be found and may need cutting out, but at least

you’ll catch most of it in time and protect your Bus for

years to come.

Difficu

lty

Rating

30 HOWwww.volkswagencamper.co.uk TO