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How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? #1122404
11/27/11 03:00 PM
11/27/11 03:00 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 233
vashon island washington
hunterstroble Offline OP
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hunterstroble  Offline OP
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vashon island washington
I have a '73 challenger. It has the horrible 70's sun roof cut into it. They missed the support. Can this be welded up? I'm a pretty good welder and have all the tools I need. Now I know I'll get a"just put a skin on it!" But that is over 600.00, so if it is possible to weld it that would be worth a shot. Has anyone actually welded one and had it come out ok. Thank you!


1969 Dodge dart 500 stroker 1973 Dodge Challenger 440
Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: hunterstroble] #1122405
11/27/11 03:06 PM
11/27/11 03:06 PM
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Atlanta Indiana
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Dave Watt Offline
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Atlanta Indiana
Anything is possible when talking sheetmetal replacement. Keep in mind the roof has a curvature to it, so a similarly curved piece will be needed for donor material. Some filler will be needed to block sand out really slick. After priming and painting it will look great. What I don't think you'll like is that once you start driving it, the roof flexes, the sun beats down on it, the filler shrinks, the repaired will show.
If it's just a driver quality car, go for it.

Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: hunterstroble] #1122406
11/27/11 03:09 PM
11/27/11 03:09 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
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Granite Bay CA
I welded over a sunroof in a Duster, then put a Vinyl top over it. It turned out GREAT!
The trick for me was to use an air powered flange tool. It created a recess in the sunroof plug so that when it was installed from underneath, it sat flush with the rest of the roof. I repeatedly stitch welded until it was fully welded, then primer, filler and plenty of sanding. I may have been able to skip the vinyl top, but I was trying to make the car look as close to original as possible.

Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: hunterstroble] #1122407
11/27/11 03:12 PM
11/27/11 03:12 PM
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Posts: 27,347
Today? Who Knows?
1_WILD_RT Offline
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Your big issue is obviously gonna be keeping warpage down... It's gonna happen, the metal has no real support so if your Ok with a gallon of filler in the roof go for it... Go slow, tack welds only, tack, then moved 6", tack, move, tack move.... Stop & let it cool completely every time you get back to the starting area.. It'll take allot of time & you'll get some warpage, the gallon of filler is an exaggeration (hopefully LOL)..

Like Dave mentioned it'll probably be visible later..

Like Frankenduster mentioned a vinyl top hides may evils...

Last edited by 1_WILD_RT; 11/27/11 03:15 PM.

"The Armies of our ancestors were lucky, in that they were not trailed by a second army of pencil pushers."
Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: 1_WILD_RT] #1122408
11/27/11 04:09 PM
11/27/11 04:09 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,244
Eastern,NC
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68GTS383 Offline
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Eastern,NC
Have you considered changing the whole top? AMD is making a roof skin for that car. I bet that some guys here on Moparts have changed them.

Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: hunterstroble] #1122409
11/27/11 04:50 PM
11/27/11 04:50 PM
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md
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wicked Offline
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X2 on flanging , it will stiffen the roof around the hole and then I'd drop in replacement metal from the top. Trim replacement to drop in tight. like said ,little spot welds 6 inch apart, second trip around the panel put spot next to the first and so on . Go easy grinding welds down to keep heat down. Use quality fillers/primer etc and it shouldn't reveal later. Ideally the skin would be the way to go.

Last edited by wicked; 11/27/11 05:03 PM.
Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: wicked] #1122410
11/27/11 05:14 PM
11/27/11 05:14 PM
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Posts: 1,168
Vancouver, WA
MoparMarq Offline
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Vancouver, WA
Had the same on my '72 RR. Went with a used skin off a donor '71 Satellite. Spot weld drill and patience will make it look a lot better than trying to fill that darn hole...

Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: MoparMarq] #1122411
11/27/11 05:30 PM
11/27/11 05:30 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
RodStRace Offline
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Chino Valley
600 for the skin is the way to go.
If you are going to go cheap, what would you sell it for?

Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: MoparMarq] #1122412
11/27/11 05:32 PM
11/27/11 05:32 PM
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okla.
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okie Offline
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There was 1 in my 70 RR and I flanged around the opening and cut another piece of a roof into it, been done now for 3-4 years and there isn't any places showing on it so I think it is going to stay. I'm like you and couldn't buy a new roof skin. I had to do all the work on my car my self because I couldn't afford to pay to get it all done. Good Luck on Yours. Ronnie

Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: okie] #1122413
11/27/11 05:36 PM
11/27/11 05:36 PM
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East Brunswick, NJ
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finadk Offline
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See if you can cut a roof section out of junk car. At least you will have the curvature correct. Then flange it in like they said. It's worth a shot.


Scott 1956 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer (408 Stroker, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes, Rack & Pinion, 6 speed) 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 1976 Corvette
Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: MoparMarq] #1122414
11/27/11 05:42 PM
11/27/11 05:42 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
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Washougal,Wa
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Dodge Offline
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Washougal,Wa
I'm in the same boat. Darn sunroof.

6938928-charger.jpg (150 downloads)

Stand behind your word
Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: RodStRace] #1122415
11/27/11 05:56 PM
11/27/11 05:56 PM
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Posts: 587
IL . usa
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cjs69mope Offline
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I would use the flanger on roof as well , but i would try the 3m weld-less quarter panel adhesive that way no warp-age. flat sand with 80.
Then use tiger hair filler first and flat sand 80 , then bondo long block sand 80 then 180 and 240 by hand. Then glaze puddy any pin holes. Block again. Use etch primer over bare metal spots light coat.
2k primer 3-4 coats and let it sit in sun (If i had a weak to kill.)
320 block sand again on the long block again and primer again with 2k primer. Then wait one day and block with 400. Clean and prep for paint.
I have done it this way and it takes more time then most like to spend
But i have good results blocking by hand.
This is only if you never done body work some people have there own methods just trying to help .


1969 Dodge Charger 1969 Dodge Superbee
Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: cjs69mope] #1122416
11/27/11 06:32 PM
11/27/11 06:32 PM
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new berlin wisconsin
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Mr T2U Offline
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new berlin wisconsin
3m uses a special gun for body panel adhesive.
i have been using panel adhesive sense it hit the market, both 3M and Norton. i have had problems with the bonded seam showing up on more than 1 job.


perception is 90% of reality
Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: Mr T2U] #1122417
11/27/11 07:57 PM
11/27/11 07:57 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
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NE MISSOURI
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Purpleracer Offline
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My Petty blue 72 Roadrunner has a sunroof in it also. I got it for a graduation present in 1981,stupid me?? I like the donor piece with a flange and 3M glue ideal?

Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: Mr T2U] #1122418
11/27/11 08:23 PM
11/27/11 08:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
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Mrytle Beach SC
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johnscudashop Offline
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Mrytle Beach SC
Panel adhesive is the best way. You dont have to worry about warpage and its waterproof.

Last edited by johnscudashop; 11/27/11 08:24 PM.
Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: hunterstroble] #1122419
11/27/11 09:59 PM
11/27/11 09:59 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 233
vashon island washington
hunterstroble Offline OP
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vashon island washington
Thanks all, I really aprreciate it! Time to get to work. And if I blow it, I'll buy a skin anyways!


1969 Dodge dart 500 stroker 1973 Dodge Challenger 440
Re: How to get rid of this ugly sunroof hole? [Re: Mr T2U] #1122420
11/27/11 10:07 PM
11/27/11 10:07 PM
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Posts: 394
md
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wicked Offline
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md
Quote:

3m uses a special gun for body panel adhesive.
i have been using panel adhesive sense it hit the market, both 3M and Norton. i have had problems with the bonded seam showing up on more than 1 job.




so have I, I no longer use it on exterior seams, and it's not really meant to be used as a stand alone, weld corners etc. Park in sun seam shows up , back inside the seam lays back down. that was with 3M, once digging that stuff back out was enough for me.







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