Finished in
Bare Metal.
Nothing to Hide.
Classic VW and Porsche metal fabrication done to a standard your paint shop will thank you for. Every panel straight, every weld flush, every seam documented.
Metal work routes to Brian direct.
Every restoration is only as sound as the metal beneath it. Long before paint, upholstery, or trim ever come into play, the structural integrity of a vehicle is established at the metal stage — and that foundation dictates the quality, longevity, and value of everything built on top of it. It's the part of the process most easily hidden and most often rushed. We believe it deserves the opposite: it should be done once, and done right.
At Washburn's Metal, metal work isn't a step we move through on the way to the "real" restoration — it is the restoration. We bring genuine passion for classic vehicles together with years of hands-on experience in panel fabrication, rust repair, and structural correction, giving our customers work that holds up to scrutiny today and for decades to come.
Nothing to hide. Every project leaves our shop finished in bare metal. No filler masking a shortcut, no primer concealing an unfinished seam — just clean, correct metal work that speaks for itself. What you see is exactly what was done.
Process you can trust. We've built our reputation on transparency as much as craftsmanship. Every job is guided by a detailed work order, outstanding communication from start to finish, and a running photographic record of the process — so you're never left wondering what's happening to your vehicle. You stay informed, involved, and confident that your project is in capable hands, every step of the way.
Precision for every job. Whether it's a factory-correct panel replacement, invasive rust repair, or a custom fabrication built to your vision, our approach doesn't change: meet the standard, then exceed it.
What We Do
If you're in the process of restoring your classic ride, we're here to see it through the right way. We've refined a process built around accountability and craftsmanship, so from the moment your project arrives, you can trust that the foundation of your restoration — the chassis and metal work — is being handled with the precision it demands.
Backed by years of experience and a genuine love for classic cars, we deliver high-quality work without cutting corners on time or transparency. From rust repair and factory panel replacement to full custom metal fabrication, we treat every project as the foundation it truly is.
Your paint shop
will thank you.
We don't skim over rust with filler. We cut it out, fabricate the patch correctly, weld it flush, and leave the metal bare so you can see exactly what you're getting.
Whether it's a single door skin on a daily driver or a full body restoration on a numbers-matching 356, the process is the same: written scope, flat-rate quote, no surprises, and a product that's ready for paint.
Tell us about your project →
Six disciplines.
One standard of finish.
From a single rust hole to a full body strip and rebuild — every job gets the same level of attention and documentation.
Panel Repair
Door skins, fenders, quarter panels, aprons, rocker boxes, and heater channels — full or sectional replacement welded to factory spec.
Patch Panels
Hand-fabricated and pre-formed panels welded in tight with no filler over the seam. Factory contour, invisible repair.
Rust Repair
Cut out the rot, pretreat the bare metal, fabricate the correct patch, weld in flush, and finish to factory contour. No filler shortcuts.
Metal Shaping
English wheel and hand-forming for one-off panels, rare cars, and sections where no aftermarket panel exists.
Restoration Prep
Full strip-down, blast, and metal-finishing so your paint shop gets a truly clean foundation to work from.
One-Off Fabrication
Custom brackets, floor modifications, firewall smoothing, shaving, tubs, and bespoke trim work for street builds and show cars.
We finish in bare metal because we have nothing to hide.
A lot of shops will lay filler over questionable welds and call it done. We don't. When we hand a car back, the metalwork is visible, inspectable, and exactly what we said it would be.
That's been the standard since day one, and it's why customers come back, why builds get featured in Hot VW's and VW Trends, and why we have a waitlist instead of a slow season.
Start a conversation →If it's air-cooled, we know it.
Send us photos.
Get a real answer.
Every quote starts with a conversation. No forms, no runaround — just tell us about the project and we'll come back with a clear scope.
Attach the photos to that email, or DM them to @washburnsmetal. Metal work routes to Brian direct.