Sunroof delete - within the skills of a 'normal' bodyshop?
Discussion
Is something like this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykurN_hVLj8 within the scope of a normal bodyshop? to save watching the link - rip out aftermarket sunroof, shape a piece of fresh steel to fit the roof hole, joggle the edge of the panel and weld it in place.
The whole episode was 54 man hours including a lot of other stuff, suggesting it's actually not too bad time wise, maybe just the skills involved that are rare?
The whole episode was 54 man hours including a lot of other stuff, suggesting it's actually not too bad time wise, maybe just the skills involved that are rare?
Most bodyshops won't have an english wheel or know how to use it.
Don't overlap panels, butt weld them. For one its easier to planish out any warping and it avoids creating a moisture trap.
If you can get a whole skin it will make life easier, if not available even a scrap roof cut off another car could be used as a patch - but you need to align the panel right to have the crown in the right place.
Basically, its a specialist job if you want it done well - even an idiot like me could throw a load of filler over a badly installed panel, but you'll regret it in the long run.
I can think of a few places in the uk who'd be capable of doing what you want.
Don't overlap panels, butt weld them. For one its easier to planish out any warping and it avoids creating a moisture trap.
If you can get a whole skin it will make life easier, if not available even a scrap roof cut off another car could be used as a patch - but you need to align the panel right to have the crown in the right place.
Basically, its a specialist job if you want it done well - even an idiot like me could throw a load of filler over a badly installed panel, but you'll regret it in the long run.
I can think of a few places in the uk who'd be capable of doing what you want.
Sadly based on my experience too many of the bodyshops I have dealt with struggle to apply paint let alone do any kind of fabrication work.
Finding someone capable of using ye ol English wheel to make a panel that can then be delicately welded in without warping the rest of the roof before grinding the welds back flat ready for paint preparation is a lot tougher than you'd first think. Best bet is phone around classic car restoration places rather than "insurance approved" type places that focus on scuffed bumpers! Go an visit the place and see some examples of their work, perhaps ask around local car forums for recommendations to.
Or if it's a track car you just get a flat bit of steel about 3 inches bigger than the sunroof hole an stick it down with a tonne of glue plus a few rivets
Finding someone capable of using ye ol English wheel to make a panel that can then be delicately welded in without warping the rest of the roof before grinding the welds back flat ready for paint preparation is a lot tougher than you'd first think. Best bet is phone around classic car restoration places rather than "insurance approved" type places that focus on scuffed bumpers! Go an visit the place and see some examples of their work, perhaps ask around local car forums for recommendations to.
Or if it's a track car you just get a flat bit of steel about 3 inches bigger than the sunroof hole an stick it down with a tonne of glue plus a few rivets
Gassing Station | Bodywork & Detailing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff