Thread: Whistler Mags: Recommend Me an Auto Mechanic

Long story short: I drove across Canada to spend a season in Whistler and broke my hands in May. Now I have enough scratch to fly back to my dilapidated van and git 'er fixed up and safety-ed for BC driving.

I had some 'strailian mechanic tell me fuel + brake lines need replacing, body panels need replacing (rust around wheel wells), headlights need replacing. Last I checked there was also a crack in the windshield and the brake calipers might be shot. He quoted me some ridiculous dollars to fix it and offered to sell it for scrap. I promptly drove away and didn't die in a horrible fire.

I love my van. My van got me from Toronto(ish) to Whistler without any protest. It starts up fine after months of neglect. Now it needs some TLC to get me the fuck away from the Olympics gong show and into the Okanagon/Selkirks/Rockies.

tl;dr: Whistler mags, see thread title. Preferably someone that won't rip me off.

What are the chances there'll be enough hot, dry days at the end of November to fiberglass the rusted bits?

No chance on the last question. No way.

Mike's Garage in Function will do a bang up honest job

Mike's Garage
maps.google.ca

15-1209 Alpha Lake Rd
Whistler, BC V0N 1B1
(604) 962-0909

Generally speaking what must be fixed are safety issues. Brakes, lights, exhust, windshield if the cracks are bad, or in your line of site. I don't believe that rusted panels are an issue unless they open holes into the interior that can allow exhaust in. As for fiberglassing, I am guessing you don't care a lot about how it looks? If the holes are not big, get a propane or electric IR heater, aim at metal, get metal warmed up, mix up fiberglass, apply, turn heat down so it just keeps it warm. The fiberglass will generate heat on its own as well as it sets. Grind/Sand kinda of smooth, heat metal again, spray paint with paint that has been inside so it is warm. WARNING, turn off heater while doing this, then reapply heat. If you can make a kind of tent from a tarp around the aread you are working on, even better.

!!!!! I am NOT responsible if you blow your self up, asphixate yourself on paint and fiberglass fumes or stick yourself to your van because you forgot to wear gloves while applying the fiberglass !!!!!

Does your van have any painted murals?

I will second Mikes. Stand-up shop for sure.

Mike.

Accept no substitutes.

The OK Tire in Squamish is really honest but may not do safety inspections (call first), never been to Mike's but have heard good things.