have any of you guys shaved the roof rack? If you did what did you do about the inserts in the roof I thought about just grinding them down and weld up the bolt hole then some finishing glaze what do you guys think?
roof rack
- Thread starter SLICK79WGN
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My Malibu was built rack-less.
On my Olds, I simply took the rack itself off, and left the ribs in place for now. Eventually I will weld up the holes for everything, but for now I just left them there. For the holes for the rack mounts, I just found eight of the same thread screws(6mm), but much shorter and with a pan head on them instead of the counter sunk head. I put some washers down and screwed them in to fill the holes for now. I was considering putting some silicone sealant around them too to help try and keep water out, but the car is inside and I don't really care that much.
On my Olds, I simply took the rack itself off, and left the ribs in place for now. Eventually I will weld up the holes for everything, but for now I just left them there. For the holes for the rack mounts, I just found eight of the same thread screws(6mm), but much shorter and with a pan head on them instead of the counter sunk head. I put some washers down and screwed them in to fill the holes for now. I was considering putting some silicone sealant around them too to help try and keep water out, but the car is inside and I don't really care that much.
I shaved my roof rack years ago. Fortunately, my headliner was down at the time. I ended up welding the holes and dumped the rack.
My friend who has a Cutlass Cruiser took his rack off, but will use the stainless runners to cover the holes and ribs.
Some guys prefer the rack. I think it looks cleaner without.
My friend who has a Cutlass Cruiser took his rack off, but will use the stainless runners to cover the holes and ribs.
Some guys prefer the rack. I think it looks cleaner without.
Instead of welding the holes you may want to see if you can get panel bond cheaply enough. It's a strong glue that is made to replace welding. The benefit to using it (if it's not too pricey) would be that you wouldn't create heat and risk warping the roof panel. I'd just cut out some small pieces of metal and glue them from beneath. Then, just finish with some fiberglass Bondo or All Metal to seal it. Remember that you never want to use conventional filler as your bottom layer over a welded repair. It will wick moisture from the backside and hold it against the metal, rusting it out in time. I would also paint the underside with a good rustproofing paint after you are done.
Using the panel bond is a good idea. That stuff is tough. Perhaps a better idea than welding the holes and risking warpage, which can happen quite easily.
Once it's finished off with alittle filler (or Allmetal), you'd never know the difference.
Once it's finished off with alittle filler (or Allmetal), you'd never know the difference.
do you think you would be able to grind down the inserts with out warping or what do you guys suggest :?:
At the time that I took off the roof rack on my malibu wagon, I didn't have a welder so I used fiberglass underneith. I then used filler in the holes and it held up well. If I were to do it again I would use a my welder. Like people said earlier, you have to be careful about warpage but once it's done you won't ever have to worry about having to redo it. What a pain in the *ss it would be if came undone after you have your headliner back on and a fresh paint job.
but what did yall do about the threaded inserts that stick up like a 1/8" grind them down? I know you cant pull them out I tried on a s-10 blazer one time and it did not turn out good 
It was about five years ago and I don't remember what i did. I more than likely grinded them off like you said.
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