Author |
Message |
vgajames Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2002 Posts: 805 Location: Texas
|
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 11:49 am Post subject: Rusty Header Bow Repairs? |
|
|
I got a Thing Top Frame in today i bought off thesamba.Its got the usual
rusty holes on the header bow, the part that face's into the passenger compartment.How do you guys usually repair these? Is it Ok to use some fiberglass cloth and glass it over? Or thin skin sheetmetal covering over it? I know you can just replace it too but for us we can fix it guys what ya do? Thanks... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ron Domeck Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2007 Posts: 1466 Location: louisville Ky
|
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 2:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I make a pattern of the shape and take to a sheet metal shop and have a piece made. Most of the time I will have a piece made that will go from latch to latch. The edge were the rivets go is some pinch welds. It is best if you have a cross section of the frame to use as a pattern maybe from your old frame. I have had inner and outer pieces made . You will need a welder for this. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Semper_Dad Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2005 Posts: 3506 Location: Indiana
|
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 4:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I had the same problem with the header on the cloth sunroof when I had my 21 window. Wished that header was repopped in metal reinforced fiberglass or something that didn't rust so easily. _________________ Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
vgajames Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2002 Posts: 805 Location: Texas
|
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 4:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ron Domeck wrote: |
I make a pattern of the shape and take to a sheet metal shop and have a piece made. Most of the time I will have a piece made that will go from latch to latch. The edge were the rivets go is some pinch welds. It is best if you have a cross section of the frame to use as a pattern maybe from your old frame. I have had inner and outer pieces made . You will need a welder for this. |
OK i think i could do that.What kind of metal did the sheetmetal shop use all ours have here is galvinized.I have both gas and mig welders.
I have a metal brake but its just 4 foot, i guess i could splice it in the middle. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ron Domeck Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2007 Posts: 1466 Location: louisville Ky
|
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 4:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think the last one I had made was galvanised. 22 ga. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
vgajames Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2002 Posts: 805 Location: Texas
|
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 4:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ron Domeck wrote: |
I think the last one I had made was galvanised. 22 ga. |
I guess i will just cut a piece out and go to the sheetmetal shop then.
All one piece should be better.I guess ya have to just figure it out around the area where the latch hood screws on as that area sorta tapers inward huh? Are there nut plates behind the upper latch hook or just plan old sheetmetal screws on that? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2003 Posts: 868 Location: Clifton Park NY Saratoga County
|
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
if your header bow has serious rust where the latches go, I would get a new one instead hard to replicate _________________ Michael Basso
http://www.thingparts.com
New and Used VW Thing Parts Free advice
CALL 518 630 0173 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|