1G Replacing Roof

[1990dsmkid]

I felt this was best place to post this. I have a 90 talon and the roof is dented and banged up pretty good. Its a non sunroof and I ended up getting a better sunroof. I have searched and not found much on doing this. I know it involves cutting spot welds and rewelding but I would like info and pics on which ones need cut. A walk through would be even better. Hoping someone one here or a few have done it and have some good advice. Thanks guys

 

[Operate]

In order to drill through the spot welds and remove the roof properly you need to remove the rear hatch and front windshield as well as the trim around the tops of the doors. there is seam sealer around the A pillars and the rest of the roof however its heavy on the A pillars. once you remove said component and sand/grind/cut the seam sealer and drilled through the spot welds it is a bit difficult to keep the edges in good shape while prying it away from the body, there will definitely be metal work involved in getting it lined up correctly again and welding it. Could you provide pictures of the dented roof you are speaking of?

 

[1990dsmkid]

I dont have any pics at the moment. So no matter what the rear hatch and windsheild have to be removed? I guess I was really hoping for a miracle but I guess Im not thay lucky. Sounds like Im just going to be stuck with a mess of roof and a spare sunroof. A shop would probably charge too much and take to long. Still thought I wouldnt mind a step by step guide or pictures or better what both.

 

[lowell]

Not a DSM, but changing any roof skin isn't a simple task.
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=9539

 

[1990dsmkid]

Doesnt look that hard besides removing the windsheild and hatch window. So basically all I have to do is remove all spot welds and the skin should come off right? Or is there some cutting that needs done on our cars? Anymore help/experience would be great

 

[lowell]

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Is your roof beyond repair? You could straighten it and wrap with textured vinyl that helps hide imperfections.

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[1990dsmkid]

My roof is pretty bad and starting to rust and I got a good deal on a sunroof so I figured Id could swap skins.

 

[FlashBack-Cro]

I have the same problem. Anyone done it?

 

[ist dwa]

I have done it. Remove roof liner inside, hatch, and windshield. Drill out about 40 spot welds. There is a glue as well that you can separate using a putty knife. You really can't misalign it when installing it. I wouldn't reweld it in either, way to much work, just urathane it in like a windshield.

Is the job hard, not at all, is it time consuming yes. It took me about 12 hours to do the job + an additional 4 more hours to remove the windshield, prep and, replace it myself.

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[jed344]

Its not a hard job, but its not easy. I have been doing body work for last 10 years + and currently am a painter at a high end resto shop. Its not hard to end up with leaks or alignment issues if not done correctly. I have seen many cars "fixed" by shops that come to ours with very bad gaps from improper fitment. The photos above show the general idea. You have to fit it and normally put the glass up to make sure everything lines up where needed. You can either panel bond it or resistance spot weld it. Witch unless a shop does it I doubt you have access to spot welding it. There is honestly nothing wrong with panel boding it. Just some newer vehicles require certain repair procedures done for liability reasons. If you decide to try it I could try to help you threw it.

 

[ist dwa]

This thread prompted me to finally finish and publish the video from years ago on how to do this.

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[FlashBack-Cro]

I have done it. Remove roof liner inside, hatch, and windshield. Drill out about 40 spot welds. There is a glue as well that you can separate using a putty knife. You really can't misalign it when installing it. I wouldn't reweld it in either, way to much work, just urathane it in like a windshield.

Is the job hard, not at all, is it time consuming yes. It took me about 12 hours to do the job + an additional 4 more hours to remove the windshield, prep and, replace it myself.

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Woow. Thank you. Btw nice job

 

[FlashBack-Cro]

This thread prompted me to finally finish and publish the video from years ago on how to do this.

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How was with removing interior panel of the roof? Is it complicated?

 

[ist dwa]

Interior removal is common sense.

 

[FlashBack-Cro]

I Agree.

Interior removal is common sense.

Very easy to remove.

 

[FlashBack-Cro]

I got custom sunroof that leaking. Now around sunroof is starting to rust. Soon im in roof replace. Dont wanna sunroof anymore.