How do you get rid of a moonroof

-

Neal Zimmerman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2016
Messages
148
Reaction score
46
Location
Springfield Oregon
Just picked up a solid, clean, rustfree 2 door classic mopar, Too clean and complete of a car to pass up. One big problem. Somebody installed an ugly moon roof at one point. This must go. Any ideas? A carefully crafted patch panel with back up bracing and a vinyl roof over the top is what comes to mind. Anybody ever tried this.?? I'm not gonna put a new roof on the car, unless no other choice.
Thanks , Neal
 
All depends on how talented you are.

You could hammer weld a patch in. Shrink the metal back to shape
 
What car do you have? I think all a body roofs have a compound curve. I would use a piece from a donor car with a similar roof contour, flange the edges of the patch panel to overlap the hole and install from below. Maybe a Camaro or something has a similar curve? Definitely replace any structural bracing with parts from a donor car of the same body as yours. You might need one or more headliner bows also.
 
Last edited:
I failed to mention which mopar i bought because its not an a-body. But since you asked its a 1965 Coronet 500 2 door hardtop. Beautiful car except for the damn moonroof
 
My Cuda had the obligatory butchered in sun roof. I made a cardboard pattern then cut out a very tight fitting patch. I put a bit of contour in it by hand before I welded it in. Then took my time skip welding cooling and welding trying to minimize the warpage. Then I did my best to relax weldment areas with a bucking bar and a hammer. It really sucked but I did not have the cash for a new roof skin. Once I got it as good as I could I smoothed it with bondo then put a nice vinyl top on it. I think it turned out well but it was a lot of work. The vinyl roof does not hide as much as you think it will. Be patient and really work on smoothing it out when done. I can send you a pix of mine if you like.
 
My Cuda had the obligatory butchered in sun roof. I made a cardboard pattern then cut out a very tight fitting patch. I put a bit of contour in it by hand before I welded it in. Then took my time skip welding cooling and welding trying to minimize the warpage. Then I did my best to relax weldment areas with a bucking bar and a hammer. It really sucked but I did not have the cash for a new roof skin. Once I got it as good as I could I smoothed it with bondo then put a nice vinyl top on it. I think it turned out well but it was a lot of work. The vinyl roof does not hide as much as you think it will. Be patient and really work on smoothing it out when done. I can send you a pix of mine if you like.
Theres a 65 Belvedere in the parts car section of the classifieds.
 
Ever heard of 3M Panel Bond, has been used to put new quarters on.

Get a replacement part with the right curve to it and 2" larger than the moon roof hole. Then panel bond it in from underneath, no welding and no warping that is the big advantage of panel bond.

Then finish out the topside with Body Filler to get the final shape right. Prime and Paint, good as new.

Screenshot_20200902-001659_Chrome.jpg


20200902_001820.jpg
 
Every sunroof installer from the beginning of time should be neutered, skinned, and banished to the S end of Chile. I've passed up two otherwise decent A bodies because of the big hole in the top
 
Every sunroof installer from the beginning of time should be neutered, skinned, and banished to the S end of Chile. I've passed up two otherwise decent A bodies because of the big hole in the top

I agree 100%.
 
Every sunroof installer from the beginning of time should be neutered, skinned, and banished to the S end of Chile. I've passed up two otherwise decent A bodies because of the big hole in the top
Ditto for everybody who ordered one of these cars new with a crappy assed vinyl top, or had one installed after the fact.
 
My youngest son Was parting out a late 80’s VW Jetta with a manual hand crank sunroof. The curvature of the Jetta roof looked virtually the same as my 65 wagon. So we cut the Jettas roof off with every intention of splicing it into the wagon’s roof. @SNKEBIT was the one who gave me the initial idea with his sunroof conversion on his Barracuda. It just wasn’t to be due to the reinforcing ribs in the roof
 
Every sunroof installer from the beginning of time should be neutered, skinned, and banished to the S end of Chile. I've passed up two otherwise decent A bodies because of the big hole in the top
I agree. I passed up a '69 A56 cuda 340 auto console about 11 years ago that was in San Diego for sale. Had an after market dealer installed 70's sunroof similar to what they installed on vans.
 
If you are farmiliar with Auto Body Skills and tools you can take the Stepping Tool on your air hammer and step down the edge of the moon roof opening from the top.

Lay a piece of cardboard on the top and trace a pattern for the repair/replacement panel from inside with a dry marker.

Then cut the replacement repair panel a little bigger than the cardboard pattern you just made so that it fits nicely in the step down edge on the roof opening.

Now you can panel bond it in from the top, and should finish out a lot nicer being everthing is real close to where it should be.
 
Ever heard of 3M Panel Bond, has been used to put new quarters on.

Get a replacement part with the right curve to it and 2" larger than the moon roof hole. Then panel bond it in from underneath, no welding and no warping that is the big advantage of panel bond.

Then finish out the topside with Body Filler to get the final shape right. Prime and Paint, good as new.

View attachment 1715588459

View attachment 1715588460

I've often wondered about the longevity of this stuff. Seems like any epoxy will weaken over time?
 
If you drive around and moon people through the moon roof, then maybe some of the locals and authorities will take up a collection for you to cover the moon roof.... :eek:
 
Every sunroof installer from the beginning of time should be neutered, skinned, and banished to the S end of Chile. I've passed up two otherwise decent A bodies because of the big hole in the top
How do you REALLY feel?
 
Just picked up a solid, clean, rustfree 2 door classic mopar, Too clean and complete of a car to pass up. One big problem. Somebody installed an ugly moon roof at one point. This must go. Any ideas? A carefully crafted patch panel with back up bracing and a vinyl roof over the top is what comes to mind. Anybody ever tried this.?? I'm not gonna put a new roof on the car, unless no other choice.
Thanks , Neal

Solar eclipse?

Keep it cool when welding in a patch panel, minimizing the amount of hammering and bondo. Anneal the areas you did your shaping.
 
How do you REALLY feel?

I know. I could never have been a salesman, lawyer, or politician. If you ever meet me, you'll find that is just the way I am. I have been wrong, but what I tell you is what I believe. And I'm fairly opinionated LOLOL
 
-
Back
Top