QuestionThe car had a vinyl top and has rusted most of the way around the top of the front window. Under chrome. Any thoughts of how to fix this. I know the you start with cutting out the bad and making the "Z" peices and welding them back in. Is there an easier way? I have a donner car and thought about cutting this out and welding it back in. I also need a line on the pins to hold the chrome clips in place.
Any thoughts will help.
I can send pics
AnswerHey Bob! No pic's are really necessary. See if Year One had any patches before you go too far, they have really nice parts, and this will save hours of fabrication, if they have anything available. They may also have some stud substitutes that are nicer, and fancier, than rivets. As far as pins, It's easier to just rivet the clips on, it takes a special tool called a stinger to weld studs in. It costs about 400.00. There are little special rivets if you want to do a fancy job, but they are only available through Premiere, and I don't know the part number. We don't stock them. As far as making the pieces, it's just plain going to be a bear, especially in the corners, and without the aid of a metal brake. Try this- make the z out of three pieces of steel. Trace the corners out, then carefully measure depth and width.. Buzz the hidden edge together with a MIG welder, carefully, slowly, with half inch stitches. Then, grind the show edge, where the metal butts together, on the opposite side of the weld, to make a really beautiful edge. I've dne this a lot on wheel lips when I make a patch on a quarter or fender, and it really works fabulous. If your body talents are really good, then graft the entire roof onto the car from the donor car, but you will still need patches along the bottom edge, if they are rusted. Bill
