Author Topic: My roof is caved in (Read 1368 times)

monkeystash · « **on:** April, 14, 2009, 05:42:24 PM »

So I've had my fastback for 4+ years now and I just noticed this today. I finally got around to stripping the multiple layers of paint, primer, filler, etc from the roof and noticed this:

I know it's not much of a drawing but it gets the point across. This is the roof panel with the front of the car to the right. The arcs are the high spots in the panel, giving a huge crater in the middle. I don't have any idea what happened; it's almost like a child walked on the roof or something heavy was stored there. It's VERY obvious by feel, and pretty obvious by eye. Being an amateur bodyman, my best bet might be to replace the roof skin rather than attempt to fix it. I'm gonna play with it a bit and see what I can do, but.......bummer dude.

AzPete · « **Reply #1 on:** April, 14, 2009, 05:49:12 PM »

What a bummer. I know from past experience that is a pain to fix. My last '66 had a couple of small ones in the rear and the body man did a lot of complaining but did a good job. Two things, getting out the small crease where you drew the lines and keeping it from "oil canning" due to the metal being stretched. Good luck.

Sluggo · « **Reply #2 on:** April, 14, 2009, 06:13:26 PM »

Get a slapping file and get busy. Don't wuss out and replace it.

blue65coupe · « **Reply #3 on:** April, 15, 2009, 04:58:40 AM »

This coming from the "mechanic" who won't replace a gasket on his dd. Sucks Ryan

daveSanborn · « **Reply #4 on:** April, 15, 2009, 12:11:54 PM »

I've had the misfortune to suffer through the same roof dent problems on just about every Mustang I've rebuilt. What a PITA. I swear that back in the mid-late 60's it was standard fare to walk into the Ford dealer, buy a Mustang and then head to the local drive-in movie and let your kiddies/fatass GF dance all over the roof.

Read up on "metal quenching". It's worked for me on several occasions.

pnandy · « **Reply #5 on:** April, 15, 2009, 01:44:06 PM »

hmm ive helped with make these dents on a few project fastbacks when i was looking to buy mine i found a guy that had about 40 fastbacks parked to close to walk through so we walked on top of them he did it first so i followed he gave me a rubber mallet and we went around getting the big dents i felt bad walking on the cars but i wasn't going to buy a car without seeing it first

monkeystash · « **Reply #6 on:** April, 15, 2009, 04:02:00 PM »

Quote from: pnandy on April, 15, 2009, 01:44:06 PM

hmm ive helped with make these dents on a few project fastbacks when i was looking to buy mine i found a guy that had about 40 fastbacks parked to close to walk through so we walked on top of them he did it first so i followed he gave me a rubber mallet and we went around getting the big dents i felt bad walking on the cars but i wasn't going to buy a car without seeing it first

You walked on mine. Now come fix it.

pnandy · « **Reply #7 on:** April, 15, 2009, 06:05:15 PM »

ok ill bring the rubber mallet and go nuts :taz

Fast68back · « **Reply #8 on:** April, 18, 2009, 03:18:31 PM »

Quote from: pnandy on April, 15, 2009, 01:44:06 PM

when i was looking to buy mine i found a guy that had about 40 fastbacks parked to close to walk through

Got any pics of that place?

monkeystash · « **Reply #9 on:** June, 10, 2009, 09:03:47 PM »

I'm going to try this technique with a shrinking disc. Wish me luck.

Wolfes Metal Fabrication Shrinking Disc demonstration

hivewax · « **Reply #10 on:** June, 11, 2009, 03:58:32 AM »

i would say the shrinking disc is only for small dents.

monkeystash · « **Reply #11 on:** June, 11, 2009, 08:26:04 AM »

Quote from: hivewax on June, 11, 2009, 03:58:32 AM

i would say the shrinking disc is only for small dents.

Well, I can only do small areas at a time, so it won't be quick. However, I just need to shrink the arcs in my picture above, and this should allow me to do that. I also have a dented up decklid that I will practice on first.

AzPete · « **Reply #12 on:** June, 11, 2009, 08:44:48 AM »

If all else fails, you can install a sun/moon roof. :rofl

beach pony · « **Reply #13 on:** June, 13, 2009, 09:07:17 AM »

Damn Ryan, I hate to hear that. Good Luck getting it straightened out. Oh by the way, next time, buy a vert :hide2

hivewax · « **Reply #14 on:** July, 14, 2009, 12:26:45 PM »

any updates??

monkeystash · « **Reply #15 on:** July, 14, 2009, 09:08:16 PM »

Quote from: hivewax on July, 14, 2009, 12:26:45 PM

any updates??

Nah, been really lazy and pathetic recently. Or looking for a reason to avoid it.

monkeystash · « **Reply #16 on:** August, 14, 2009, 08:22:10 PM »

Okay, I gave the shrinking disc a shot today...and it sucked. Actually, it is probably me that sucks. Anyway, I wasn't able to shrink the metal at all using the disc. I then resorted to the torch/quench method which didn't work either. I think I need to hammer a bit more after heating the metal, but before quenching it. I'm gonna give it another try tomorrow.

lethal289 · « **Reply #17 on:** August, 14, 2009, 08:28:41 PM »

Quote from: monkeystash on August, 14, 2009, 08:22:10 PM

Okay, I gave the shrinking disc a shot today...and it sucked. Actually, it is probably me that sucks. Anyway, I wasn't able to shrink the metal at all using the disc. I then resorted to the torch/quench method which didn't work either. I think I need to hammer a bit more after heating the metal, but before quenching it. I'm gonna give it another try tomorrow.

ata boy, GET R DONE! You could always just wuss out, and fill it with bondo, but what fun would that be. But first, Keep trying, and i think youll get it.

AzPete · « **Reply #18 on:** August, 15, 2009, 05:43:48 PM »

Make it a glass top..........................

lethal289 · « **Reply #19 on:** August, 15, 2009, 05:56:06 PM »

Quote from: AzPete on August, 15, 2009, 05:43:48 PM

Make it a glass top..........................

Thats true, i test drove a 2010 gt today with the glass top (it also happened to be a white 5 spd) ... And the salesman said "they have a guy that can put them in any mustang." Just wonder if that goes for vintage too. but man that would be trick.

monkeystash · « **Reply #20 on:** August, 15, 2009, 06:17:48 PM »

Quote from: AzPete on August, 15, 2009, 05:43:48 PM

Make it a glass top..........................

Hmmm, I like that idea.

Well, good news. I spent another couple hours today improving my shrinking skills. I heated up a small dime sized area with my MAPP torch, until it started to turn blue, then lightly hammered the spot with a body hammer. You wouldn't believe how much the metal expands when it gets hot. You can actually see the metal raise, forming a dome. Anyway, then I quenched it with a wet rag. I'll probably have to do this procedure hundreds of times over the roof.

What I've come to the conclusion of, is not that my roof is really caved in, but there is a thin circle of raised metal around the top. This probably happened over the years of having things stored on the roof, and the metal popping in and out. With my amateur body and shrinking skills, I'll be able to get the high spots out, but I'm sure the roof will require a thin skim coat, or at least part of it. I'm cool with that.

Until this weekend, I've really been avoiding the car because of this roof issue that I've been stuck on. Now that I have a solution, I'm motivated to work on the car. I'd like to adjust my finish date from 2050 to 2020 now, lol.

lethal289 · « **Reply #21 on:** August, 15, 2009, 06:21:58 PM »

:mj Ata boy ryan, at least your moving in the appropriate direction. If only you could shave another 5 to 8 years of that time frame.

AtlantaSteve · « **Reply #22 on:** August, 15, 2009, 06:30:03 PM »

Awesome! 2020 huh? Maybe I'll be able to launch a couple of years after you, then!!

Good luck with the metal work...I'm always impressed by people willing(able) to get into that stuff.

Remember, when you need a hand, I'm 15 minutes away...although my freetime is during the weekends and you usually during the week...but even still give me a call and I'll see what I can work out.

Steve