Project: T Top Stop Leak

Status
Not open for further replies.

Winkernod

Greasemonkey
Sep 13, 2018
139
259
63
London Ontario
My 1980 Grand Prix has always had a a "minor" leak from the T top. It only leaked when there was a prolonged or heavy rain on the drivers side,i never noticed any water in the passenger side. so I grabbed the weatherstrip kit and started disassembly. And as I am cleaning up all of the adhesive and butyl sealer and what ever else has been used over the years I uncovered the expected. However on the other side then I thought, drivers side is in good shape. Not as bad as I have seen but still needs attention. I removed the weatherstrip rails that were badly rotted on the front
60106343153__EE714639-2450-4B82-B2F5-555C6F27BE4C.JPG
IMG_2637.jpg
IMG_2645.jpg
IMG_2650.jpg
IMG_2651.jpg
IMG_2652.jpg


So I now have some welding to do. I have already applied Evapo Rust to the whole area.

Now i need some ideas on how to proceed after getting every thing welded up. My thoughts are to do an epoxy primer over all of it then using something like JB Weld to fasten the new weatherstrip rails in place so that there is no gaps underneath then some paint. Also what to use for the foam that was under the screwed on plates. I assume that was used as an anti rattle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Silent viewer

Royal Smart Person
May 9, 2007
1,445
142
63
They make the entire header piece to replace the whole section. I think it is like 100 shipped off of rockauto. I am replacing mine right now, it is not hard. Almost all T top cars that have not been stored inside their enotire existence have the same problem. The hardest part is having to pull the windshield
 
  • Winner
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Silent viewer

Royal Smart Person
May 9, 2007
1,445
142
63
They always look solid, my money from tearing several of these apart, the underside is likely far rustier than you think. You could try to patch them off of the goodmark parts I suppose.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

69hurstolds

Geezer
Supporting Member
Jan 2, 2006
8,089
17,299
113
Whatever you do, paint or coat that area inside outside upside down after the repair. This way, any moisture that does make it to the metal doesn't have anything to convert to rust.

Although I'm not sure I'd use JBWeld for weatherstrip channel adhesive. Butyl or some other flexible adhesive may do you better in the event you ever had to do this job again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

Winkernod

Greasemonkey
Sep 13, 2018
139
259
63
London Ontario
Thanks PontiacGP. that is a good write up, just wished the pictures worked. 69Hurstolds I agree flexable butyl might be better. I just wanted to make sure that no moisture got in between the header and the weatherstrip rails.
 

Winkernod

Greasemonkey
Sep 13, 2018
139
259
63
London Ontario
Yeah I saw that and laughed too. Exactly how it was done in the factory.... and by some one else trying to stop a leak.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Winkernod

Greasemonkey
Sep 13, 2018
139
259
63
London Ontario
So been poking away at getting this cleaned up and patches made and welded have actually made what I hope is a solid plan.

1582148880408.png
1582148880408.png


1582148912567.png


1582148972360.png


Etched with POR15 metal prep
1582149080472.png


coated with POR15
1582149131413.png



Completely painted with POR15 rust topcoat/rust paint (it takes UV rays)
1582149230596.png


Next step is to get the T-Top kit I will be attaching the weather strip rails with 3M panel bond.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 7 users
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor