Roof Warpage

[ShagFestiva]

Im starting to get to the body work on my festy and besides the front end being a little tweeked, the rest of the body is is pretty good shape. Except for the roof. It is very wavy, and the dents can be popped out, but as soon as I drive, and the wind gets to it, they pop back. Im wondering if anyone has dealt with this issue? Its not that big of a deal but once I paint it, it's going to bother me if I dont fix it.

[No Pstns]

I have the same problem........

[FB71]

pop the dents out, then skim the inside with about 1/8" of bondo.

[ShagFestiva]

pop the dents out, then skim the inside with about 1/8" of bondo.

How has that worked for you? I have some marglass I think that will work too.

[bravekozak]

extra supports.

I am going to put in a couple of extra support braces. That's what you have to deal with thin metal. That's also the reason why I will not install a sunroof without a roll bar,

[Festiva_tunner]

Cut a big hole in the roof and install a funtop - problem solved - worked for me; solved my dent at the rear corner
Seriously though the bondo on the inside will work it will give it strength then normal bondo perep before paint

[ShagFestiva]

do you think marglass will work? Its harder than bondo but I just hope it doesnt crack.

[Nerd Racing]

did you support your roof at all when you installed the funtop?

[Festiva_tunner]

do you think marglass will work? Its harder than bondo but I just hope it doesnt crack.

I don't know the bondo is slightly flexible to an extent but if your putting it on the inside your going to hide it with your headliner anyway so I don't think it would matter much if it stress fractures since you won't have paint on it more than likely

[Festiva_tunner]

did you support your roof at all when you installed the funtop?

Search for posts by me with the keyword funtop and you should find pics of the braces
The 121 electric top I have has replacement roof supports that make the whole top structural - so I had to remove the factory supports and all but the rear mount to the same points
The rear spot is actually there on all of the festivas but the hole is not threaded

[ShagFestiva]

yeah i guess it wouldnt matter if it cracks as long as it retains some rigidity...speaking of headliner i just picked up some fabric today...should look pretty sweet ill post pics when its done.

[Mike McKown]

If that roof is warped, you probably have stretched metal. The best thing to do with it is go to work shrinking the stetched metal.

I don't think that bondo patch will work out for you.

[mechanicaldj]

pop the dents out, then skim the inside with about 1/8" of bondo.

HUH?????????????
Still not a bodyshop instructor????

If that roof is warped, you probably have stretched metal. The best thing to do with it is go to work shrinking the stretched metal.

I don't think that bondo patch will work out for you.

AGREED^^^^

A uni-spotter works well

but this is a little beyond harry homeowner under the shade tree in the backyard

[Festiva_tunner]

HUH?????????????
Still not a bodyshop instructor????

A uni-spotter works well

but this is a little beyond harry homeowner under the shade tree in the backyard

Bondo works for slight warping - seen it done on may hot rods

If its major warping then yes the metal needs shrunk

[Mike McKown]

Bondo works for slight warping - seen it done on may hot rods

If its major warping then yes the metal needs shrunk

Bondo will hide a crease or warp as long as the metal stays in one shape. If the metal "oil cans" and starts moving up/down, it won't hide anything and may crack out. Oil canning is a symptom of stretched metal.

You can use simple hand tools to shrink metal if you know how to use them.