Roof Skin removal

[Moparfiend]

So I am now in the laborious task at skin removal but have not found any signs of the legendary spot welds. I have used a wire brush to clear out the debris and loose rust. When that failed to expose any spot welds I tried a flap disc and grinder but it might just be masking the spots. Any help in this process would greatly be appreciated!!

 

[dryheat]

Ron ... look in the drip rails ... probably want to pull the chrome off first.

 

[threewood]

Hard to tell but was all the sealer removed from the drip channel? If it is too rusty to see any spot welds you may have to use either an air chisel or an angle grinder.

Pics from my removal and install of some spotwelds...

 

[Moparfiend]

Ron ... look in the drip rails ... probably want to pull the chrome off first.

Jim I ground the drip rails lightly so thats bare metal not the chrome even though it looks like it.

 

[Moparfiend]

Hard to tell but was all the sealer removed from the drip channel? If it is too rusty to see any spot welds you may have to use either an air chisel or an angle grinder.

Pics from my removal and install of some spotwelds...
View attachment 936075 View attachment 936076 View attachment 936077

Thanks the pics helps. I see the welds on the front see attached. Will keep hunting. Did you use a center punch followed by a small starter drill? Its a lot but that seems for me to work better as the spot weld drill wants to walk.

 

[CHARGERSTEVEN]

Sometimes a light spray of oil will high lite the spot weld,all i know is there is a lot of them.

 

[threewood]

Ron, I used this spot weld drill bit set. Worked better than the one with a center point. Sometimes I had to center drill the weld to get a divot.

 

[Moparfiend]

Good golly miss polly.......

 

[hunt2elk]

Good golly miss polly.......

View attachment 936105

Lol, there is like 200 of them for a roof removal. I always take a 1/8" bit and start the center before getting out the Blair.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Blair-1321...618162?hash=item4d46a3bef2:g:7HIAAOSwRQlXdoh7

 

[Demonic]

If you carefully run you finger along the seam, sometimes you can "feel" the spot weld before you see it. The spot will be slightly sunk down.

 

[Moparfiend]

If you carefully run you finger along the seam, sometimes you can "feel" the spot weld before you see it. The spot will be slightly sunk down.

Yes this is what I am finding. DON’T GRIND it or you’ll loose the ability to find it! Got the front done but wondering how to pry the side panel up without buggering up the rain gutter?????

 

[Moparfiend]

Looks like I had to make a micro chisel to get in there.....

 

[R413]

You may want to cover you side glass with cardboard (or better) to avoid damaging it. Especially when grinding or welding. DAMHIK

 

[Moparfiend]

You may want to cover you side glass with cardboard (or better) to avoid damaging it. Especially when grinding or welding. DAMHIK

I’ll roll the windows down and cover the pillar windows thank you.

 

[threewood]

Lol, there is like 200 of them for a roof removal. I always take a 1/8" bit and start the center before getting out the Blair.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Blair-1321...618162?hash=item4d46a3bef2:g:7HIAAOSwRQlXdoh7

Closer to 240

 

[RebelRider]

Did you complete this? How did it turn out? Anything you would do different? Thanks

 

[Moparfiend]

Did you complete this? How did it turn out? Anything you would do different? Thanks

Yes worked out very well check out my build thread here:
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopa...ite-from-junk-to.174053/page-8#post-911594420
Use the HSS spot weld bits from spotweldcutter.com https://autobodymetalcuttingsupplies.com/ or ones like it. They are self centering and will dramatically speed up the job. Run them at low speed with cutting oil. Also finding the welds gets easier once you know what to look for. Look and feel for them and don't grind sand or mess with the surface as it will only blend them.

 

[RebelRider]

Thanks.