Hello all. I am customizing a 68 elcomino. This is my first complete frame off custom job. I am running into alot of rust and I refuse to let it stop me. I have a couple questions. What IM really looking for is some good suggestions. The roof had a vinyl top on it for some time. Not original. Rust pits have developed. I have chemically stripped the car to bare metal and IM looking for ideas on how to repair this roof. There are numerous pin holes with the biggest being in the center about 1/4 inch or so. The seems by the doors have rust also. Like I said I wont give up and find another body. Last question is there a way to make the floor patch panels not look so much like a patch. I have bought new patches for the front on both sides. I have cut the old ones out but the patches look CHEAP. Any ideas. Thanks in advance for your help.

don't give up, the pits can be cleaned out with a spot blaster at low pressure and also a clean and strip disc. The hole will have to be patched, if you don't want to weld on the middle of the roof this may be a good candidate for panel adhesive with a patched applied to the underside and everglass to fill the top of the patch area. Remove all of the rust and get it super clean. Bob graemlins/beers.gif

i have the exact problem on my 73 chevelle.i've decided to use 3M Automix panel adhesive to stick the little patch pieces to the underside of the roof holes.i used it to bond my fiberglass harwood scoop to my factory steel hood and am very impressed with it. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Forgive me but IM not sure if I know what you are talking about. Sounds like a patch made of medal held in place with fiberglass. Is that right. If so how would I do that. Thanks.....

The stuff is called panel bonding adhesive and is made by 3M, Fusor, Sem, and a few others. You can buy it at most automotive parta stores. It is not fiberglass. Do a search here on panel bonding for more info. B0b

heres a little tip for anyone using 3M AUTOMIX.be sure you are neat with this stuff when you apply it.most body fillers won't stick to it so be sure and clean any excess from the surface to be repaired. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Thanks guys. The research was very informative. It looks like a skilled novice should be able to do this. I will give it a try...