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merlin
04-12-2006, 01:35
Any one on here ever welded up a sun roof or plated over one,if you did weld one how good were the results.

Ken

donsrno1
04-12-2006, 01:43
I think Daz tried it and it went badly wrong iirc. I think he ended up either selling the car super cheap or scrapping it. I'm not sure if anyone else has tried it though.

stevie_b
04-12-2006, 11:17
I'm in the process of doing this so would welcome any advice too. I rather unwisely took my sunroof out just before taking the engine out, so I now have an immobile car with a big hole in the roof and no easy way to get it to a welder's to make it watertight again! I would rather weld in a plate and grind back to a reasonably flat roof than rivet a plate over it, which is the easy solution. What was the issue with welding - does it end up causing ripples all over the rest of the roof or something due to the heat generated when welding? I think this could be avoided by doing small sections at a time, allowing it to fully cool inbetween?

Matt_16v
04-12-2006, 11:55
I WOULDNT DO IT!!!!


the roof is so thin that it would seriously distort as soon as you put any heat into it, its not worth the bother, jus buy a non sunroof shell.

I looked into this and my boss said he wouldnt run the risk of damaging it aswell and hes been welding all his life


matt

MatBrown
04-12-2006, 12:03
Get a carbon fibre blanking square and bolt that in place instead.



Mat.

pat_986
04-12-2006, 12:37
I know George's old hybrid (now owned by midge) has had it removed.

But as said I think the only solution is to rivet a sheet over the whole.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c217/pat_986/DSC00327.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c217/pat_986/DSC00246.jpg

Swervin_Mervin
04-12-2006, 13:23
Mark Ritchie bonded it on using some ridiculous chemical stuff and then filled the top.

Martin
04-12-2006, 13:56
tbh midges looks tidy enough....mine leaks so might have to go!!

Dancliovalver
04-12-2006, 13:59
what bout having something like a carbon fibre sheet made??

would look pretty kool 8)

merlin
04-12-2006, 15:15
I asked a few body shop people and they said the only proper way to replace it is to fit a new roof skin,if welded and only doing a few tacks at a time there is a riske of very bad distortion,if looks arnt to important the best bet is to plate over it and if poss use carbon fibre sheet,i think i would just use ally plate.i asked this same topic on the British rally forum page last week and was told the same thing.

Ken

northy
04-12-2006, 15:18
i'd buy a spot weld drill remover and unpick the welds...find a 1.2 in the breakers and swap the skins.

merlin
04-12-2006, 15:24
Now thats a good thought northy,i might just do that,thanks.

Ken

midge
04-12-2006, 15:38
who actualy use's thier sunroof anyway??
mine looks fine imo, makes it look like a track slag, and i dont get wet :)

northy
04-12-2006, 16:16
i do...its great in summer

Daz.
04-12-2006, 17:47
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Don't do it any other way unless you reskin it - I don't care what anybody says this is the only true viable solution to this problem..

If you fancy giving someone lots of money for nothing then scrapping whats left go right ahead :lol:

stew
04-12-2006, 18:52
i use mine in summer and on track. with polycarb windows and sliders its the only way to get decent airflow thru them.

i hated sunroofs before, but with window sliders its the fututre! :shock:

P.S im talking early phase 1 sunroofs. none of this heavy electric pish!!! :P

Swervin_Mervin
04-12-2006, 18:59
Can manual roofs be installed in electric sunroof holes? Prolly been answered before but I can't find owt.

stew
04-12-2006, 19:11
i think so mate, as the hole should be the same size. dunno anyone who has done it, so cant be 100% sure.

richy
04-12-2006, 21:21
im planning to do the same with a metal sheet/ sealed/bonder and rivets for safety! its only a track car, could fit a small scoop to lol?

clowo16v
04-12-2006, 21:27
Get a sheet of ally from somewhere. Might be able to get a cutoff piece for cheap. Rivet it to the roof with some silicone sealent to stop it leaking.

Matt

Coops
04-12-2006, 22:23
gunner gibbo found a place who will source,weld n paint new roof skin on, he's saving the 600 or so quid required iirc!

cliorod
04-12-2006, 23:46
Scuse me coops ???? :lol: :lol: Who found the guy ????? :twisted: .He is a mate of mine and is s**t hot at :roll: :roll: this sort of thing,repairs the rally cars after minor indescretions :cry: :oops: :cry: .Great bloke,but does not suffer fools etc :wink: ,and can sound a bit abrupt over the phone :roll: .He is away on holiday until Wednesday,He did his brothers rear arches on his valver not so so long ago. :wink:
Rod

merlin
05-12-2006, 02:04
What do ya think cliorod,do road rallies with a sun roof or blank it of,or maybe sell it and get an impreza sport, seeing as how turbos models cant be used next year only thing is you cant get the power out of the sport
130/150 bhp,cant make me mind up rod.

Ken

MatBrown
05-12-2006, 02:39
Can manual roofs be installed in electric sunroof holes? Prolly been answered before but I can't find owt.

i think so mate, as the hole should be the same size. dunno anyone who has done it, so cant be 100% sure.

The manual pop-up sunroof from the early 16v will not fit in place of the later 16v electric sunroof as the early one is smaller.
To replace the electric sunroof all you need is the windy handle and gubbins from a lower spec later clio, as the sunroofs are the same electric or not.



Mat.

stew
05-12-2006, 12:20
ahh. thanks mat.

trust renault to be annoying and change the sizes! :roll:

dalla
05-12-2006, 15:51
i'd buy a spot weld drill remover and unpick the welds...find a 1.2 in the breakers and swap the skins.

As Northy said, that is the only thing to do... My dad is a panel beater, and i've seen him do it once. You simply remove the roof skin, and replace it. You will have to spot weld it on along the top section of the doors, where the lists run.. It is a big job though, and you will have to use the correct sealant aswell.