[BobKovacs]

I was sanding the buff primer that the previous owner's "body guy" put on the roof, and found an odd line of rust spots straight down the middle of the roof. The car originally had a vinyl top, so I'm assuming they occurred under the seam? There are also several fine stratches running across the roof, presumably from when they cut the vinyl roof to peel it off.

Am I correct in my assumption that that's what caused this? How about an opinion on whether to treat the rust and lock it under the new epoxy vs replacing the roof. I'm not opposed to replacing the roof, but don't want to do it if the existing one can survive- it's about the only damn piece of original sheetmetal currently slated to remain.....lol

[BobKovacs]

Well, another 30 minutes of sanding pretty much confirmed my original thought, which was that I may as well replace the roof. Some of the pits down the middle are pretty deep, to the point that there's likely not much metal left. Of well- what's another $250 and a day of labor in the grand scheme of things, right???

[Steptoe]

This is caused by the orginal prep the car being high on axle stands or the person preping is very short....or just plain lazy.

Such pitting is common on old vinyl covered rooves.

Even so , keeping in mind the roof is a very large flat area.... a brass dolly on the underside to hold weld better, absorb heat, taking time, a bit here bit there let cool bit more.....fill in with a mig set with just enough heat or even a tig... the grind. sand back and one would never tell a repair from either side.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by Steptoe

Even so , keeping in mind the roof is a very large flat area.... a brass dolly on the underside to hold weld better, absorb heat, taking time, a bit here bit there let cool bit more.....fill in with a mig set with just enough heat or even a tig... the grind. sand back and one would never tell a repair from either side.

Good point. I may mess with a few spots and see how it turns out. I'm putting a vinyl roof back on, so it may be worth messing around for a bit to see if it can be saved. Worst case, I'm out a few hours of time and replace it anyway.

[Sauron67MM]

Originally Posted by Steptoe

This is caused by the orginal prep the car being high on axle stands or the person preping is very short....or just plain lazy.

It's originally caused by production cost savings. If you mean they were originally painted manually, they weren't. Read Reply #7
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=9029.0

If the rest of the roof, window channels and inner structure are solid, you may get away with a repair. All the rust in the pits must be removed. If anything is questionable, I'd glue a skin on it.

[captcanuck68]

There is a method, rather archaic, where body men used to use lead a filler...but this has become, I think a lost art with the advent of bondo/fibreglass.

You might find someone still who has worked with the lead, and it may do the job...maybe?

capt

[yellow69RS]

My 10E 69 had more paint on the roof then the one Scott paoted. I took Steps comment to mean the body man that sprayed the primer the OP was taking off when he found the rust. I think "down under" translates differently for different people.

Jeff

[Steptoe]

Hey my comments where rather tougne in cheek....I mean comments like axle stands too high or the guy too short....lighten up guys.. I really thought someone would get at least a minor smile out of it...picture it a little short guy jumping up and down trying to prep, be it sand paint, de grease , whatever.....

But it is due to lack of good prep down the center....be it factory or since.

I'm putting a vinyl roof back on

Now that puts a different reflection on things....the suggestion above to lead...well sort of along those lines....prep well, kill any rust, and filler with the chop stand in it....
Scott is best to advise the stuff with the short or long strands...