roof rot malibu

[Texas82GP]

Are you going to put a vinyl top back on it? If so, the repair would be much more forgiving with respect to bodyworking the weld seams. Does the rust damage go any further back? If not, it seems you could patch it with a good front section from another car. Ideally you could find a good entire roof skin off of a donor car that had a good roof but other problems. A whole skin would give you the best repair. Are you going to do the welding?

 

[malibujustin]

It did not come with a vinyl top. So no. It sat under a tree for abt 8 yrs or so. Young man lost intrest and parked it. It has some rust near back window also but don't think it's as bad. Just where windshield sits at top about 8 or 10 inches back on roof. Would love to have whole roof and cut at factory seam on quarter and right down on a pillar to include where windshield rests. But I will take any good piece I can find. Yes I will be doing the welding.

 

[Texas82GP]

Yes I will be doing the welding.

Ok, then you are well aware of the challenges of welding in sheet metal on a vast flat expanse. I'm the 'welder' in my family and I still have a lot to learn. Especially regarding distortion. If I was going to repair that car I would likely have to have an entire roof skin in order to get an acceptable repair. However, there are guys who can patch in areas on those big flat expanses with good results. I was thinking the rot was from a vinyl top and surprised you when you took it off. I was also thinking a vinyl top would help hide the repair.

Come on guys! Who has a good roof skin on a rusted out shell?

 

[malibujustin]

I can cut and ship it if that's what you need. Pm me and let's get in touch about this

PM sent

 

[malibujustin]

I am not the " welder" per say. I can weld decent but my dad is the real " welder" of the family. He had been at it close to 50 yrs. So I will be using his guidance. He is amazing with a torch also. I also thought the roof had vinyl at one time but was told it did not. And I will take any piece I can get but would love to have entire top

 

[Texas82GP]

Wow, a welder with 50 years experience. What a resource!

 

[Longroof79]

I agree with Jared. The best, most thorough repair would be to replace the entire roof skin...less chance of distortion than grafting in a section. But if that's whats available out there, then so be it. A complete donor shell would be ideal.

You're fortunate having a dad with many years of welding experience. I'm sure he'll be instrumental in doing a proper repair on the roof.

 

[malibujustin]

Yes he has been at it for abt 50 yrs. He helped me when I first started welding on my 66 malibu. I was having problems with the lower patches for front fenders. He lit up torch and brazed them on there. Smooth. Very minimal sanding and hardly any filler. Now I have gotten better at welding. Not his caliber though. Wish I could find a complete skin or donor car. I have a couple of guys on here helping. Thanks to all. Want to save her.

 

[Longroof79]

Yes he has been at it for abt 50 yrs. He helped me when I first started welding on my 66 malibu. I was having problems with the lower patches for front fenders. He lit up torch and brazed them on there. Smooth. Very minimal sanding and hardly any filler. Now I have gotten better at welding. Not his caliber though. Wish I could find a complete skin or donor car. I have a couple of guys on here helping. Thanks to all. Want to save her.

We hope you're successful in finding the parts and perform the repairs that are needed.

 

[malibujustin]

Hope so to. Thanks