Rustyroof a big job?

[RICH-I-AM]

right then, ive just been up a ladder to check my sun roof hole as i think ive found a new one(sunroof that is,my old one has rusted n should be picking up a new/old one in a week or so). just found massive corrosion on top of my roof,all on the rear half and all within the seam line that runs around the roof 3 or 4 inches in from the guttering . The new slideing sunroof that i hope to buy comes complete with a whole roof cut off about 6inches down the roof pillars .Question is do i replace my whole roof 6 or so inches down the roof pillars or is there a way of cutting out the section i need n grafting it into place? Anyone had to do this before :?: Only had the bus 2 weeks n finding problems everyware i look Cheers Rich. My cheep Deluxe not sutch a bargain afterall

 

[Tofufi]

Sorry to hear you've found rust there.

Gutter rust can be very tricky to sort out.

I replaced mine at the pillars - everyone said (and still say :lol: ) I was mad.

It wasn't too bad. However, if I could have replaced it at the seams I'd have preferred to do it that way. Mine was far too rotten to do it that way...

Also, don't forget if your van is a RHD a LHD roof won't fit (pillar-wise) so you will have to unpick the seams for the sliding door area.

Mine before:

 

[Justin & Muttley]

Tofufi,
You've just reminded me what a huge job that was - still sending out the maximum respect to you!! 8) 8)

 

[Tofufi]

Cheers fella.

Have you seen it in the metal yet? 8)

 

[Justin & Muttley]

Cheers fella.

Have you seen it in the metal yet? 8)

Unfortunately not, but the year is still young!! :lol:

 

[Tofufi]

Cheers fella.

Have you seen it in the metal yet? 8)

Unfortunately not, but the year is still young!! :lol:

My student loan has been spent this year already - no shows for me til' next year now :shock:

 

[RICH-I-AM]

Tofufi,you have been an inspiration :shock: .ive heard about it but never seen it done(roof removal).Me thinks i didnt ask my question properly .My gutters are mint as are my roof pillars :mrgreen: . my problem is across the actual arch(top curve) of my roof.As if a homemade roofrack was fitted that rubbed the paint off n let rainwater eat the top of the roof in 4 or 5 places. they are rust lines about 2 foot long running widthways across the rear half of my roof. Will take some pix today n try n get my missus(im crap with computers) to load em yp 4 me Again Tofufi you are an inspiration,Hero Have you compleded the roof job yet? Is it back on the road?

 

[RICH-I-AM]

View attachment early bay 001.jpgThis is how my roof is looking.You would think id notice all that black tape on there when i baught it after my uk bus,i learnt a few lessons n spent all my time crawling about underneath looking for holes.Anyone have any ideas about the roof?

 

[ronmidg]

Rusty lines.......I would attack the rust and repair the existing roof, this is not an area that normally corodes, once fixed it should be good for ever, get the tape off now, grind or etch and seal with whatevr you have then tidy later.

sunroof replacement........if the bits interchange I would do this in preference to cutting and welding whole assembly in, and I would do latter in preference to cutting entire roof off.

 

[Tofufi]

Tofufi,you have been an inspiration :shock: .ive heard about it but never seen it done(roof removal).Me thinks i didnt ask my question properly .My gutters are mint as are my roof pillars :mrgreen: . my problem is across the actual arch(top curve) of my roof.As if a homemade roofrack was fitted that rubbed the paint off n let rainwater eat the top of the roof in 4 or 5 places. they are rust lines about 2 foot long running widthways across the rear half of my roof. Will take some pix today n try n get my missus(im crap with computers) to load em yp 4 me Again Tofufi you are an inspiration,Hero Have you compleded the roof job yet? Is it back on the road?

Ahhh, it is good your gutters are mint.

As Ronmidg says, I'd grind all that back with a grinder and see what you have left. Do localised repairs where possible, a skim of filler and no-one will be any the wiser. The gutters are normally the bits that go, I can't think what might have caused that.

Anyway, strip it all back properly and see what you're left with

Any holes would need welding up, after removing the headliner so you don't burn it. you might find it isn't that serious to need welding?

And yes, my van has been back on the road for well over a year now... passed 2 MOTs since those roof-off pictures.

Passed this year only needing the numberplate light checked as a wire had come loose!

Still needs a LOT of work, but spot the join...

Not doing much on it at the moment, it is my everyday vehicle while I restore my beetle.

 

[james_stan]

Rusty lines.......I would attack the rust and repair the existing roof, this is not an area that normally corodes, once fixed it should be good for ever, get the tape off now, grind or etch and seal with whatevr you have then tidy later.

^^^^ WHS ^^^^

It's probably not as bad as it looks once you get all the crap off. I was going to suggest some fibreglass repairs. You might end up with some bulges on the outside if you can't get in to do it from the inside then level if off with some filler from teh top - the resin will also encapsulate anything left of the rust and keep it all at bay.

 

[RICH-I-AM]

Doing a 300mile round trip at the weekend hopefully to pick up a rust free slidy sunroof roof cut 6in down the pillars.Dont think il be doing a full on roof change but the options there.This Bus is my 3rd(1st early)Bay and hopefully my keeper .Cheers 4 your help peeps :mrgreen: Will show pix of my roof when its a minter again. Cheers again Rich