Thoughts on how to fix a depression in the roof
- Thread starter jcolman
- Start date
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The problem is that part of the roof is not attached to the bracing and any dent near the center will want to "oil can". Maybe you can remove the headliner, pop the dent up and use construction adhesive or seam sealer to fill the gap and support the skin.
When you pull the headliner here's what you'll find. Someone patched the hole where it once had a sunroof. Quite poorly, too. There's only one way to fix it and fix it right. The rest of the car's worth doin it, too. It's gonna need a good roof skin.
Call a mobile dent puller guy. not cheap
Super-Cuda
MOPAR .. Move Over, Plymouth Approaching Rapidly!
Unless it is actually a patched sunroof hole, one possible way to repair your roof panel is by using a process called metal shrinking. Check out youtube, its full of videos on this process, I've seen it done and although its a time consuming process. it works.
Cheers!!
Cheers!!
If the panel isn't full of bondo a good old school body man may be able to shrink the metal alternating hot and cold. Seen it done with torch and water, sometimes dry ice. Final touches done with a shrinking hammer and dolly.
There is another alternative that is a butcher way of doing things, but if you don't have the budget for a roof skin replacement, you may be able to pull the headliner and glue some 1/4 plywood on the underside of the roof for support to keep it from oil canning again.
Wish you luck sir.
There is another alternative that is a butcher way of doing things, but if you don't have the budget for a roof skin replacement, you may be able to pull the headliner and glue some 1/4 plywood on the underside of the roof for support to keep it from oil canning again.
Wish you luck sir.
Guys, he's already said a magnet will not stick to it. "Whatever" it is, it needs to come out to get it right.
Its the rare z code aluminum roof. Ha ha. Plastic filler can bend a long ways. Obviously it what not bought that way and may just pop out fine and glue some lumber in there like mogoblue said.
dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
Just add more bondo and fill the hole. If there is that much bondo in it what can it hurt? Lol
I think that's bein optimistic, but I admit, I've seen some miraculous things done before.
line it with rocks. Nice bird bath.
Super-Cuda
MOPAR .. Move Over, Plymouth Approaching Rapidly!
Yup! That's the conclusion I came to with my car. Front of roof was pushed in by a previous accident that buckled the roof and support frame. Way to much time to repair so I bought and installed a complete roof from another car. Not nearly as difficult as it seems to do . Just measure carefully and take your time.
Without seeing more, I'm not sure he needs to go that far. I'm thinkin just the outer roof skin.
Super-Cuda
MOPAR .. Move Over, Plymouth Approaching Rapidly!
Ya, you are right about that. I couldn't get a roof skin for a 68 Barracuda Fastback so I decided to replace the whole works. AMD might make a roof skin for his car although I haven't checked their site.
He could use the magnet and blue tape to determine the shape and size of the non-magnetic area. It would give an idea of whether or not an after market sunroof was once installed.
An honest to GOD body man could go in there, cut out the bullcrap and replace just that section with some metal and get the english just right. You'd never tell it. But those kinda guys are hard to find anymore. I betchya @67Dart440GT could do it.
harrisonm
Well-Known Member
Unless you try the dry ice thing and it works, I personally think you have no choice but to pull out the headliner. Oulling it out is the easy part. I have done several headliners. They are a bit tricky and time consuming, but a competent gearhead can do it. You won't know what you have until you pull it. I also see some painting in your future.
dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
Im gonna have to do that with my cuda. A previous owner back in the 80s did a homemade sunroof and it obviously leaked whole roof and all the floors are rusted out. I have another roof from a donor car but they didn't cut the sails long enough so im gonna have to patch them somehow. And the donor roof has a huge dent in it.
jcolman
Well-Known Member
I suppose it's worth the $18 to give it a shot.
What will "change" the roof's mind to make it stay out if you pop it out? Nothing. I guess I would try it. But you've already verified there's a lot of filler there. It's only a matter of time, IMO until it starts turning loose. Since it's sinking in, it's already starting to happen.
Can you use an inspection camera and access at the dome light or sunvisor?
jcolman
Well-Known Member
Actually I haven't verified that there is a lot of filler....it could be empty space for all I know. I'm just guessing that it's full of bondo. But I do know that a magnet won't stick to it. But you are right in that the "depression" would likely return.
jcolman
Well-Known Member
It would be really cool if you could fix it easy. I'm not tryin to be negative, just realistic.
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