Sunroof removal [Archive]

andyleep

27-12-2011, 13:42

Anyone ever removed their sunroof? I'm thinking of removing and getting a bodyshop to sort it (weld a plate, filler and paint). Anyone have any experience of doing this?

16v_paddy

27-12-2011, 19:39

It's something that's been discussed quite a lot. The general consensus is that it's not really possible to weld anything to the roof to fill the gap and for it to be smooth as the heat from the welding will distort the roof skin.

Those that have removed the sunroof have got a complete roof skin from renault & replaced the whole lot- not cheap.

Saying that though, to my knowledge no-one has actually tried to do what you're saying so it might not be impossible.
An idea/theory that I've had & discussed with those in the know but not had the balls to try, is to bond a sheet of metal to the underside of the roof and then weld in another sheet in the space left by the sunroof over the top.

16v_paddy

27-12-2011, 19:41

I've removed my sunroof & bonded a sheet of fibreglass on there, others have just bonded or riveted sheets of metal to the top as well

stevie_b

27-12-2011, 23:08

Why are you looking to remove it? Has it stopped working or do you just want a smoother look to the roof? If it is just weight saving you are after and don't care how it looks then, as paddy said above, you can just rivet an alu sheet over the top, like I have done, but it doesn't look pretty:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j299/2stis/plated_roof3.jpg

andyleep

28-12-2011, 10:26

Want to get rid of it as i have a Williams 2!?!

Daz4567

29-12-2011, 03:03

looks good that

Coops

31-12-2011, 17:58

daz back in the day, and am talking 2005 time, had his plated, fillered and painted.........it lasted 5 minutes before it warped and cracked

only way to do it neatly is complete roof skin

VIPERONE

05-01-2012, 23:40

back in the day, and am talking 2005 time, when this site was frequented by legends such as Gunner, 2 live, winston, flaming monkey,Martin and co the mod was carried out by Daz ... Daz had his plated, fillered and painted.........it lasted 5 minutes before it warped and cracked

only way to do it neatly is complete roof skin

Riveting and spraying will be fine, unless your a perfectionist .

andyleep

06-01-2012, 08:36

Any idea how much a new roof skin would cost?

16v_paddy

06-01-2012, 09:10

Any idea how much a new roof skin would cost?

Somewhere in the region of £400 iirc plus the massive labour cost to fit it

andyleep

06-01-2012, 16:57

Ouch!

dannyboy3767

13-01-2012, 19:06

It can be done, I done a mark ii escort about 2 months ago. Just takes time. It wont sink if its done propper. It has to be seem welded or it will sink. Tried to add photos but it says my files are too big.

16v_paddy

14-01-2012, 09:40

I've been led to believe that it's not sinking that's the problem, it's the hear from the welding distorting the roof skin as it's so thin & crap

snowman

14-01-2012, 11:05

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/bluedragon101/IMAG0102.jpg

New roof skin,pretty much up to date cost as i got it a 2 mths ago,will have to be back ordered from France so expect a wait,plus as Paddy says fitting & paint on top. Not the cheap option. You could always chop one from a poverty spec or another Williams for less.

dannyboy3767

16-01-2012, 19:46

I've been led to believe that it's not sinking that's the problem, it's the hear from the welding distorting the roof skin as it's so thin & crap

True 16v_paddy they are thin alright but if you weld an inch and then cool it with an airline it will be fine just move to the other side and do a bit. never stay in the one place.

16v_paddy

17-01-2012, 08:57