Drip rail repairs.

[rockingm82]

My top is in pretty good shape aside from the drip rail. There are a few spots on the front that have been eaten away. As in few, I mean two dime size spots. There is also pitting along the outside edge.

Is there an easy way to fix the two spots that have been eaten away. Can body filler be shaped to fill the void?

Any recommendations on repairing the pitting? Body filler or build up primer until it sands smooth?

 

[allenfahey]

Hard to say how to fix it without pictures. Can you post some?

 

[dave67fd]

If the rotted areas are not along the underside (mounting flange) then you probably can repair with body filler. If the rotted area is part of the mounting surface, body filler will not hold. Best to cut and reweld in a new piece. Whatever the repair remove all rust as it will just bubble up and continue to rot in the future.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Cut out around the rotted out areas until you have nothing but fresh metal. Weld in small patches as necessary. Using filler to fill dime size holes is a cheap incorrect fix in my opinion.

 

[rockingm82]

I'll take some photos asap. Unfortunately, I don't know how to weld. Anyone in STL willing to teach?

 

[rockingm82]

A few photos

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

Whoa! Why did my phone load those upside down? Strange, but I think you can get an idea of the rust.

 

[stock1970]

thats the issue.. if your top is upside down the water cannot drain properly.. lol. kidding..

 

[allenfahey]

The first and last pictures look like if you sand blasted and put some POR-15 on it you could use body filler on it. The middle picture looks like the whole lip is gone. You are going to have to cut out a few inches of the lip and weld in a replacement piece. If you can't find a top local I'm getting ready to cut mine up and trash it. While you are at it remove all the seam sealer that is in the lip, prime it, and use self leveling seam sealer in there.
Let me know if you want the replacement lip soon, I'll cut it out and send it to you for the cost of postage.

 

[rockingm82]

In the middle picture, the location that is deteriorated. it looks like there was a small clip or thinner piece of metal there. I'm not sure if this is where the drain was located, but it is the same on both sides. The thinner piece of metal is completed rusted away leaving a gap between the thicker portions of the drip rail.