Slide door rail rust

[DarranKing68]

Thanks everyone, good advice here, I will clean it, change the roller and grease until better weather allows me to repaint and for something to prevent it happening again.

 

[DXX]

am shocked that there is nothing like that inside the Transporter sliding door. Where is the roller running? Over the paint???

It’s a commercial vehicle designed to last 5 years of fleet abuse by which time it’s beyond economical repair and replaced.

 

[FWhite]

It’s a commercial vehicle designed to last 5 years of fleet abuse by which time it’s beyond economical repair and replaced.

You are probably correct,
except that the years are maybe 2 or 3 whenever the standard warranty expires.
They shouldn't offer bodywork rust warranty though.

I am quite sure I have seen other brands that have aluminum/stainless steel rails inside, not sure which one now, maybe the same VW Crafter?

 

[Sasquatch]

I am shocked that there is nothing like that inside the Transporter sliding door. Where is the roller running? Over the paint???

Yep. Theres a thin layer of some kind of compound that gives a slight surface texture, but essentially it rolls directly upon the paint.

Thats fine when the roller is in good order and when a diligent owner keeps the whole area clean and grit free, but when they aren't/don't things can get messy...

As DXX says, theyre build down to a price and the typical van in commercial use has a relatively short service life compared to a car, so why waste money just to please the tiny sector of hobby or leisure users like us?