Author Topic: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?  (Read 3025 times)

Offline CHUCKS71

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Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« on: December 30, 2007 - 03:14:18 PM »
My Challenger has small holes in the roof around the windshield would it be best to cut it out and make patches then weld them?Has anyone tried to lead them shut?Thanks Chuck
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Offline 426HEMI

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2007 - 03:22:50 PM »
That was the way I did it plus I cleaned it really good then covered it with fiber glass.  Gordon
Got a pretty good start on my M46 optioned Barracuda restoration but now it is on hold till I can gather more funds.  Still need a few parts for it.  SIU Graduate 75 AAS Automotive Tech, 94 BS Advanced Tech Studies, 1997 MSED Workforce Education and Development

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1998 Dodge Darango

Gordon

Offline Chlngrcrzy

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2007 - 04:10:17 PM »
 :popcorn: Chuck I am going to be watching this one too. I have lots of little holes almost all the way around the edge of my roof. I have started patching mine, but it ain't easy. I am wondering about some of the rougher areas that do not have rust through, looks like pock marks, what do you do with those?  Some of my patches i brought up from the inside of the roof, and then i was going to use lead to finish off the top to level it off.  Window channel areas i have had to fabricate new metal peices and weld in. I have used a variety of gauge thicknesses, from 16 to 20. I am learning as i am going, so what i have done, i would say is not the norm. Good luck, I hope some more experienced answers come along. these 2 pics are example of what i have to work through also.

Offline CHUCKS71

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2007 - 04:18:17 PM »
It look like you have a little more work than I do. Good luck!
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Offline Chlngrcrzy

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2007 - 04:21:18 PM »
Yeah, they are exciting to look at. Those are the easy ones, you should see the back window area. :scared: But i am getting educated.

Offline Moparal

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2007 - 06:00:40 PM »
I have seen body shop workers take car hoods, doors, fenders and other wrecked parts that had curves and or bends in them and cut the roof out and weld the scrap pieces in to look flawless. I was amazed.

My sport hood on my m46 car I just painted had a rectangle cut out of the middle between the scoops , all the way down. It had a blower sticking through it. The body shop guy took and cut the center out of a 68 coronet hood and welded it in. You cant even tell. Same line and all. So the best thing to me is cut the rot out so it is gone and replace with real metal

Offline 71340RT

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2007 - 09:27:07 PM »
I would have to agree with Moparal. I would try to cut it out and weld new metal in for a long term repair. I only like doing things once so I would try to cut it out and weld new metal in were possible.


70 Plymouth Cuda 340 4-speed
71 Dodge Challenger RT 340 automatic
1973 Dodge Challenger 360 automatic EFI
2002 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Offline ksierens

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2007 - 09:28:12 AM »
 :iagree: Cut out the old, weld in the new.  I also got an email from Jim's Auto and it looks like they will be coming out with a roof this year!
1970 Triple Black Challenger R/T  440 Six Pack - 4 Speed - 3.55 Dana
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Offline hemiken

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2007 - 09:37:03 AM »
That would be the best way.
Drill the old roof turret off and fit a clean skin on, easier and a lot neater. :2thumbs:
1970 Barracuda   (O^--^===|===^--^O)
1971 Barracuda   (O O {]{]{]|[}[}[} O O)
1970 Challenger  (O O [======R/T=] O O)
1971 Challenger  (O O ===== ===== O O)
I pay homage to the best Mopars ever built.

Offline Chlngrcrzy

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #9 on: December 31, 2007 - 11:24:09 AM »
:iagree: Cut out the old, weld in the new.  I also got an email from Jim's Auto and it looks like they will be coming out with a roof this year!

:banghead:All that hard work, hundreds of us have done over the years, and they finally decide to build a roof. :smilielol:

Offline ksierens

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2007 - 11:27:04 AM »
I agree, seems like every month or so I see another new piece that I had to fab myself.

Oh well, it's all part of the learning.
1970 Triple Black Challenger R/T  440 Six Pack - 4 Speed - 3.55 Dana
Kurt - SE Michigan

Offline backtobasics

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2007 - 02:03:40 PM »


Holy crap, mine is rusted in the exact same spot!

Offline CHUCKS71

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #12 on: January 01, 2008 - 03:51:21 PM »
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Offline CHUCKS71

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2008 - 05:25:41 PM »
Mine is not bad enough for a new roof but if yours is AMD sells them now. http://stores.ebay.com/Auto-Metal-Direct
:burnout::22yikes::burnout:    www.ronpaul2008.com
71 Challenger 4spd   www.conservativepunk.com
03 Ram diesel 6spd    http://s105.photobucket.com/albums/m222/chucknutz/1971%20Challenger/

Offline Chlngrcrzy

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Re: Whats the best way to fix roof rot?
« Reply #14 on: January 14, 2008 - 08:00:04 PM »
Mine is not bad enough for a new roof but if yours is AMD sells them now. http://stores.ebay.com/Auto-Metal-Direct
Someone else had a post  a few days ago about roof skins being offered now. I am a little leary of spending over $700 to get it here and then not having it match up real well.
i think i will let someone else be the guinea pig. I have all the tough areas just about patched on mine now. If i get a windfall of money in soon, i might take a chance and try one of those new roofs.