Hi all, my S2 is rot free apart from one spot on the front right lip of the sunroof aperture...



It isn't horrific and is patchable but was wondering if any guys on here had heard of anyone replacing the entire roof skin as in a perfect world I'd lose the sunroof altogether.

So twofold question really-

1.Is it even a feasable task to carry out on an FB (I've had it done on past projects to lose the sunroof)

2.If Q1 is yes, are non sunroof skins available over your side of the water

Cheers guys

 

The short answer is yes to both questions, just a matter of how much work you want to put into it. Other than having to make a cut at the B Pillars you (in theory at least) could just drill out a ton of spot welds around the A pillar, top of windshield, above the doors and the top portion of the hatch channel and then remove the whole thing and weld in a non sunroof skin from a parts cars.

The roof would not be available new anywhere, but there are plenty of parts cars you could get one chopped off of.

Honestly if it were me and I wanted to ditch the sunroof I'd probably cut just the sunroof section of the roof out and basically fill the hole with a large patch cut off a parts car. Biggest issue with that is avoiding excess warpage from all the welding...

In either case you are looking at a ton of work (which you are aware of since you've done it on other cars) but it is certainly doable...

 

I wouldn't go through all the trouble of replacing the skin. I'd replace any spots that needed with metal patches and keep the sunroof. I think it would take a lot of skill to replace the entire skin to get it right. If that is the only spot on your roof, it might only take some spot welds and grinding to make it good.

 

Agreed, would definatly be a job for an advanced body/metal worker. I like the sunroof so i'd break out the sandblaster and grinder and see whats left to work with after the rust is gone. Probably just needs a little patching and will be good to go.

 

they are not available new anymore. used is probably easy

 

Ok cheers for the feedback-we used to do it on euro hatchbacks that we tracked as it's relatively easy to do when you are stripping and caging anyway-I had a hunch it'd be a right ballache with a seven and like 82transam said it'd involve slicing the B pillar etc etc so looks like I'll be giving this a miss. I want it back on the road for the spring after all!

 

I'd just cut out the rot, patch it and then lead load it

 

Yeah I think you're right Ian, I'll just have to stare misty eyed at the non-sunroof 7's on here.