Removing Roof Skin

['68 Coronet R/T]

I will need to remove the roof on my '68 GTX in order to clean up some rust. Assuming the drip rails will need to be removed first.
Anyone done this before that could offer some tips or advice?

 

[mopar4don]

Here's how I did mine.... page 8 post #160
https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/dons-1969-charger-restoration.51122/page-8

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Wow. My car is looking more solid all the time. LOL
Were you using 3/8" spot weld cutters on the the drip rail/roof skin?

 

[eldubb440]

assuming you are replacing the skin, and not just removing it for access ..........

if your drip rails are nice, you should be able to leave them on....... i would use a small cut off wheel in a die grinder to grind the spot welds off so as not to have unnecessary holes everywhere

 

[threewood]

Did it on my 69 GTX. Melt off the lead seams at the A pillars and C pillars, obviously use ppe. I used a spot weld cutter to get the skin off. The drip rain can remain attached. A thin air chisel would be perfect to pop the roof rail welds and save time but I didn't have one that could fit in the small gap.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

I would prefer to leave the drip rails on. So I will just be drilling out the spot welds below the drip rail then?

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

assuming you are replacing the skin, and not just removing it for access ..........

if your drip rails are nice, you should be able to leave them on....... i would use a small cut off wheel in a die grinder to grind the spot welds off so as not to have unnecessary holes everywhere

Actually I am removing it for access. Need to make some small repairs to the support structure.

 

[threewood]

I would prefer to leave the drip rails on. So I will just be drilling out the spot welds below the drip rail then?

Remove the seam sealer from the top of the drip rails and remove the spot welds from the top.

 

[eldubb440]

I would work from the top..... IN the gutter

 

[eldubb440]

lol..... great minds

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.

 

[Fm3 Dart]

Spot weld cutter is not necessary unless you are wanting to save the skin. Just a lot more work and effort to use one in the drip rails. If your roof skin is going in the trash, and a new one is replacing it, don't bother with a spot weld drill. Trim away the majority of the roof skin carefully, leaving just the flanges. Use a cut off disc to carefully grind away the spot weld and then you can just peel up the flanges.
It's all about patience and finesse.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

My hope is to save this skin and reuse it.

 

[threewood]

I think I counted 205 spot welds on my entire roof line......get some extra cutters

And if you are planning on saving it, be careful with the two roof supports as the roof skin is bonded to them with glue/body caulk. It may peel right up but it may still be stuck. Go slow with it.