Hardtop Repair

[nj_thusar]

Hi,

My hardtop has rusted pretty bad along the front gutter, enough to see daylight. I want to restore the best I can and was thinking of taking a shot at TIG welding the do the repair. Looks aren't that important, since there is a caulk bead, but this is my question. What kind of welder do you guys recommend, is Pusle support a must? I have a ton more fabrication I want to tackle but think it's time I handle these types of projects at home. What do you guys have in your garages?

Thanks!
Tim

 

[Jarrett h]

I have the same issue on the corner of my top, I was just going to use my miller mig w/ the wire i use for the body. The corner of the top was so overlooked from a quality perspective, it would be easy to make it look clean w/ a little welding/grinding, then finally some seam sealer for good measure.

 

[Geiri]

I'm actually in the early stages of repairing this one. It looks like there are at least two pieces.
You can see a draft of the gutter and the plane that bolts to the windshield frame in the first picture. I will try to shape it for the corners and about 4 inches in on the sides.

The second picture shows the piece that comes to the front of the top and lies on top of the gutter piece, welded from below with buttwelds through, holes
I saved some photos from, Honorio Madriaga Jr. he went through a similar process.
If you would like to see what he did I could post them?

 

[nj_thusar]

I'm actually in the early stages of repairing this one. It looks like there are at least two pieces.
You can see a draft of the gutter and the plane that bolts to the windshield frame in the first picture. I will try to shape it for the corners and about 4 inches in on the sides.

The second picture shows the piece that comes to the front of the top and lies on top of the gutter piece, welded from below with buttwelds through, holes
I saved some photos from, Honorio Madriaga Jr. he went through a similar process.
If you would like to see what he did I could post them?


View attachment 897944

View attachment 897945 View attachment 897947

I'd be interested in seeing those photos if you have the time. Thank you.

 

[Geiri]

From Honorio Madriaga Jr, in no specific order
It turned out pretty nicely

 

[nj_thusar]

Thank you!