Need help in making a decision

Discussion in 'Chassis restoration' started by 72 skylark custom, Aug 27, 2019.

  1. 72 skylark custom

    72 skylark custom Well-Known Member

    So while i have the quarters pretty much done body work wise, just waiting on a few odds and ends. I decided to start on the roof. I started stripping it just like i did the quarters and immediately started to find a metric ****-ton of body filler and bondo. The only place that didnt have it was the center of the roof. My red flags went up instantaneously. So i finished stripping the roof on the passenger side and said "huh only a few fairly high spots, nothing major..." then i did the did the driver side. And i found more body filler that the passenger side. Atleast 1 1/2 to 2 inches worth in spots. And i did around the rear window and found terrible patch work as well the top part of roof is wavier than a flag in a wind storm. This is all shown in pictures below. Im caught between a rock and a hard place. Should i replace the roof skin or try and fix their terrible job. I know a roof skin might be a pretty difficult for a backyard garage setting but i want to know if this is the right choice.
     

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  2. JoeBlog

    JoeBlog Platinum Level Contributor

    It might be easier to make it a roadster (kidding). It’s gonna be a big job. The bigger question you need to ask yourself is at the end of it all, do you want the same quality of work at the end of YOUR project to be better or the same as before? It can be daunting. My Wildcat had rear wheel openings made of storm door screen, and the passenger door had been crushed at the front in an accident. There was 3/4” of bondo on it. Not having patch panels, I faced either having to hand form everything, or re-bondo just like my predecessors did. I had to learn a few new skills (metal shrinking/stretching, MIG welding, planishing hammer) but it was all worth it. I smile when I tell people my car is all REAL STEEL.
     
    69GS430/TKX likes this.
  3. gsgnnut

    gsgnnut Well-Known Member

    If your not too far from Massachusetts, I have a 70-72 skylark roof section I would pretty much give away. To big to ship, pick up only.
     
    OZGS455 likes this.
  4. 72 skylark custom

    72 skylark custom Well-Known Member

    I want my car and patch work to be 10xs better than it was before. which if that means learning how to put a skin on i will do that. I dont want to put all that filler in there like before. Im okay with skim coating a panel lightly but not a heavy fill like before. I want to do the job right, since more than likely i will end up replacing the skin, would a 68-72 chevelle roof skin be the same as a 72 skylark roof skin?

    Thanks gsgnnut i really appreciate it, but unfortunately im right on the boarder of ohio and pa
     
  5. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    Maybe you guys can make a plan & meet halfway????
     
  6. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    You gotta skin that. Its actually a simple process
     
  7. Donuts & Peelouts

    Donuts & Peelouts Life's 2 Short. Live like it.

    Please teach us.
     
  8. Donuts & Peelouts

    Donuts & Peelouts Life's 2 Short. Live like it.

    Would a good lead slinging do the job too?
     
  9. 72 skylark custom

    72 skylark custom Well-Known Member

    I wish i could meet him halfway, but im not in a position to call off work as im working 7 days a week unfortunately. Thats right i almost forgot they used lead in the seems i guess ill have to learn that as well. Is the roof skin buick specific or do gm A bodies interchange with that?
     
  10. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    No need to lead it,..there are other options,..and yes the chevelle skin is the same
     
    Donuts & Peelouts likes this.
  11. Duane

    Duane Member

    The new skins fit like a glove.

    I would rip that off in a heartbeat.
    Duane
     
    OZGS455 and DasRottweiler like this.
  12. DasRottweiler

    DasRottweiler -BuickAddict-

    Measure 20 times, cut once.....Jim
     
    69GS430/TKX, OZGS455 and Houmark like this.
  13. 72 skylark custom

    72 skylark custom Well-Known Member

    What would the other options be for filling those seams? I think im going to skin it if they fit really good. And i think they were trying to fix rust damage because the car had a vinyl top on it from factory, (but didnt when i bought it) and i think it just rusted like most vinyl top cars do
     
  14. Duane

    Duane Member

    If you have never replaced a roof you might want to let a professional do it. Often it will end up costing less money then trying to do it yourself, and you will get a better job. A professional installation may save a lot of time with finish work.

    I would at least ask a professional or someone that has done this before for some advice before starting. That may be all the info you need.

    PS. This is very important,
    I would not cut anything off the car until you get the new part in. That will show you where the edges attach, so you do not end up cutting something off that you need.
    Duane
     
  15. 72 skylark custom

    72 skylark custom Well-Known Member

    There is a fabrication shop near me that i was going to see if they can steer me in the right direction. There is also a local guy who i know does all sort of metal work i can see if i can ask. I just want to try and help with the replacement if i can
     
  16. Duane

    Duane Member

    Once you get the part and talk to someone who would do the work, you may be able to do all the "grunt work" and remove the old panel. Then let the guy install it for you. That should save him some labor and make it cheaper for you.

    If there is a "Chevelle" dealer near you, then you could go and pick one up. That's the way to do it, because shipping that large of a part would be expensive. Or maybe you could have them deliver it to a car show near you and pick it up there.
    Duane
     
  17. 72 skylark custom

    72 skylark custom Well-Known Member

    The summit racing equipment store is about an hour from me. And they do have one in stock that i would go pick up, i dont want to pay shipping on a piece that big. I wasnt going to cut the roof off of the car until i have the piece in hand to make it easier on all parties involved with putting it on
     
  18. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    On the skins its pretty cut and dry just go to the factory seams.

    Use a cut off wheel to grind the spot welds then use a seam buster to bust it loose. The spot weld cutters are junk imo, refer to my cliff note thread for tips regarding the weld and prep process.

    The tricky part is the drip rails to do it correctly you need to remove the drip rail, but there are ways around that
     
    69GS430/TKX likes this.
  19. 72 skylark custom

    72 skylark custom Well-Known Member

    This might be a dumb question but would i have to brace the inside of the car even though it is a hardtop car? I just dont know if the a pillars or b pillars will get twisted or not if i do something wrong
     
  20. 72 skylark custom

    72 skylark custom Well-Known Member

    What do you mean remove the drip rail?
     

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