Roof rust repair

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79vette

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2021
Posts
1
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Location
USA
First Name
Kristoffer
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
6.2 diesel
I have some rust in the roof of my 88 square body.

Last night I trimmed out the rusted sections and fit up patch panels, and it seems to be going well. When I welded the first one in I made small tacks and worked around in a circle, letting the metal cool as I went. Even still, there is now a severe "oil can" dent in the roof where it pulled in from weld shrinkage. I didn't get a photo of the fully welded patch or the oil can be used it got too dark, but I can get one this evening if that's helpful

I can't planish the welds since there is no access to the back of the panel due to the inner roof skin. I have a tig welder, but I am not very good at and would end up putting more heat into the panel than with mig. I think if I cut the patch out the roof will spring back but then I'll be back where I started with an open hole I need to fill

Is there any way to do this patch job properly with panel adhesive or any other solution that won't warp the roof? Or is there a way to stretch the welds after grinding like you would do with a dolly and planishing hammer, except with no access to the back? How would a pro patch these sections?
 

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