J
jimt
Guest
I'm planning to send my GS to the paint shop soon. I can see some raised rust spots beneath my vinyl roof. Is this a typical problem (surprise)? Is rusting like this easily repaired?
Jim, I have been doing that type of repair for 25 years and untill you pull the vinyl top up or off you just can't tell.
I have seen where the top is all bubbled up and it looks REAL BAD and after I pull the top up, the rust wasn't that bad. Other times you could stick a ball point pen through the rusted roof!
Not all shops are willing to go the extra mile, but you CAN heat the vinyl top and pull it up, repair the rust and then re-glue the top down. Yes, even 20 year old tops, I have did it many times. The rust is going to be at the very least right in the corners of the window and at some of the studs that the molding clips attach to. This goes for the studs that hold the molding at the vinyl top edge that runs around the back of the top. Make sure these get cleaned well, I spot sand plast around the studs and apply an ecthing primer to protect the metal.
My theory on why they rust so bad around the studs is that when the car was painted, the stud top acted like an umbrella and shielded the base of the stud from getting primer or paint on it for protection.
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Life long Buick fan,
1965 Gran Sport Conv.
1965 Skylark H/T
1948 Chevy P.U. with 401 in it.
I have seen where the top is all bubbled up and it looks REAL BAD and after I pull the top up, the rust wasn't that bad. Other times you could stick a ball point pen through the rusted roof!
Not all shops are willing to go the extra mile, but you CAN heat the vinyl top and pull it up, repair the rust and then re-glue the top down. Yes, even 20 year old tops, I have did it many times. The rust is going to be at the very least right in the corners of the window and at some of the studs that the molding clips attach to. This goes for the studs that hold the molding at the vinyl top edge that runs around the back of the top. Make sure these get cleaned well, I spot sand plast around the studs and apply an ecthing primer to protect the metal.
My theory on why they rust so bad around the studs is that when the car was painted, the stud top acted like an umbrella and shielded the base of the stud from getting primer or paint on it for protection.
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Life long Buick fan,
1965 Gran Sport Conv.
1965 Skylark H/T
1948 Chevy P.U. with 401 in it.
J
jimt
Guest
Thanks, I guess there's only one way to know for certain-just do it. I feel a bit more confident, though, after reading your post. Thanks, JT