GT6 Mk3 Roof Edge Finisher

[Stratton Jimmer]

HI folks,

It has been suggested to me that the roof edge finisher on the Mk3 GT6 is not necessary and that removing it can eliminate a water trap so preventing potential corrosion. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? The part number is 814628. Hopefully this image from Rimmer's will indicate it.

[dougbgt6]

We have a couple of GT6s at East Berks without the front roof trim.  One has been completely de-seamed even the rear wheel arches. A very professional job.  Under the original front roof trim it's spot welded all the way across so filler is needed to smooth it out. This became a water trap on the second car and it had to be re-done with more filler. Good as the first one is it does look, to me, odd. Not quite a GT6. Strange how a small difference can catch the eye.

Here's a vid of a guy repairing the roof, he puts a new trim piece back on.

 

Doug

[Stratton Jimmer]

Thanks Doug.

[Colin Lindsay]

If you have a good bodyworker, removing it completely has been done before...

 

[Gully]

I'm not convinced simply removing the lip finisher will make a lot of difference corrosion-wise. The cause is generally condensation on the underside of the roof panel running forward and becoming trapped between the roof and screen surround. That junction remains the weakness / water trap in the few 'de-seamed' solutions I've seen.

As Doug says, it's amazing how much difference such a minor change makes to the GT6 shape.

Gully 

[Ian Faulds]

21 minutes ago, Gully said:

I'm not convinced simply removing the lip finisher will make a lot of difference corrosion-wise. The cause is generally condensation on the underside of the roof panel running forward and becoming trapped between the roof and screen surround. That junction remains the weakness / water trap in the few 'de-seamed' solutions I've seen.

As Doug says, it's amazing how much difference such a minor change makes to the GT6 shape.

Gully 

I agree with you, done mine a while ago and the corrosion was from the inside. Condensation. 

[Josef]

It is welded on, and covers a seam. So you can’t just take it off. Well, you could it’d not look great, any you’ll definitely damage the paint. 

[Nigel Clark]

2 hours ago, Gully said:

I'm not convinced simply removing the lip finisher will make a lot of difference corrosion-wise. The cause is generally condensation on the underside of the roof panel running forward and becoming trapped between the roof and screen surround. That junction remains the weakness / water trap in the few 'de-seamed' solutions I've seen.

As Doug says, it's amazing how much difference such a minor change makes to the GT6 shape.

Gully 

That's also my experience. The leading edge of the roof rusts from the inside outwards due to condensation.

If the trim strip on the seam is fitted well (paint first, then quality sealer), it won't be the first point to rust.

Nigel

[Stratton Jimmer]

Thank you one and all, I will stick with my original set up. I did find it interesting that the cause for rust may be condensation on the inside of the roof panel. I don't fancy removing the head lining to look though.

[Colin Lindsay]

37 minutes ago, Stratton Jimmer said:

Thank you one and all, I will stick with my original set up. I did find it interesting that the cause for rust may be condensation on the inside of the roof panel. I don't fancy removing the head lining to look though.

Remove the rear view mirror and the sun visor brackets and squirt loads of Waxoyl or Dinitrol in through the screw holes. It should settle at the lower areas of the front roof panels and neutralise rust whilst preventing worse.

[Stratton Jimmer]

Thanks Colin, that is a good idea which I will pursue.

[ludwig113]

I don't think that strip is available anymore.

My car had been de-seamed but i've put the seam back when i repaired the front of the roof, i think it looks better.

The rust comes from the inside out, if repaired and sealed properly it won't rust.

paul