Roof rib removal

[Rookie2]

Going to try and remove and paint the multiple metal roof ribs this weekend. Couple of questions: Do the end plastics caps just pop off with a screw driver? Also, do I need to use any kind of sealant material around the screws when I screw the metal ribs back down?

Thanks,
Rookie2

 

[RavenTai]

yep just remove the caps at one end or both and the ribs will slide off the rubber base that is taped to the roof, just the one screw and they pop out, I would either lightly grease the nutsets and threads or seal them, either will help with corrosion

 

[e9999]

I would not worry about the paint condition of the ribs, but I sure would be concerned about corrosion of -and under- the 'serts and also under the rib bases.
If you have not yet taken these screws out, go easy on them.
good luck
E

 

[reffug]

ROOKIE2 please post up info on how it goes. I was waxing the roof of the rig just Wed. and between the ribs and roof rack it was a pain in the ___. Gotta keep the expedition rack but I sure would like to rip the ribs off just for ease of cleaning, waxing, rust prevention, etc...

 

[RavenTai]

Total removal is quite a bit more work, the rubber bases or tracks that the ribs slide onto are taped to the roof with a very tough sticky foam that must be removed, lots of sore thumb time to remove the foam then you have to get the adhesive off

 

[Rookie2]

Yeh Reffug:

I'm just removing them to repaint..., not permanent. I can take pics. of what's left once the ribs are slid off if that would help.


Rookie2

 

[turbocruiser]

ROOKIE2 please post up info on how it goes. I was waxing the roof of the rig just Wed. and between the ribs and roof rack it was a pain in the ___. Gotta keep the expedition rack but I sure would like to rip the ribs off just for ease of cleaning, waxing, rust prevention, etc...

How funny, just Wed. I was waxing my roof too! Are we twins man? I mean we both gots turboed/cooled 80's, we both love to wheel, woodwork, metalwork and fly fish...if you tell me that you too are hung like a horse, then that makes us official twins!!!

Waxing these 80's takes two days for me; one day for everything but the roof and the tailgate, then one day for the roof and the tailgate!!! Well, at least thats when my Mr. Miyagi "wax on - wax off" hands get tired!!!

 

[reffug]

How funny, just Wed. I was waxing my roof too! Are we twins man? I mean we both gots turboed/cooled 80's, we both love to wheel, woodwork, metalwork and fly fish...if you tell me that you too are hung like a horse, then that makes us official twins!!!

Well then it official! We are twins cause there is a definate horse in my barn. Just ask my Hey Turbo does Junk dislike you for this quality as well as me.

Yaa rookie pictures when totally removed would help give me an idea of wether or not I want to tackle that project. I was kinda afraid it would be a major hassle. Get to install my new lights from Daniel Stern though this weekend.

 

[Brentbba]

Turbo - two days to wax the beast? You must be a hehehe. You'd let a 46 year old, wash, clay, wash, base coat wax and top coat wax the entire truck in one day beat you. Just yanking your supposed horse dude.

 

[turbocruiser]

Just yanking your supposed horse dude.

Thanks Buddy, think you could stop that ... in about an hour!!! Yes, the two day thing is true but mostly cause I also wash, clay (3M), clean (3M paint cleaner), polish (3M Swirl Mark Remover), and then wax (3M Liquid Wax). That plus the fact that the wife is always whining for the horse thingy and a few hours of that makes it hard to wax the whole thing in one day!!!

 

[Beowulf]

I wouldn't know about you guys being hung like a horse but one thing's for sure, there is too much horse sh!t in here for me.

Please put your little thingies back in your pants and get back on topic.

-B-

 

[bkgiii]

Ibid.

 

[Rookie2]

Here are some pics. as requested. Didn't have any trouble getting the screws out. One drop of PB Blaster a week before and one the day before for good measure.

 

[Rookie2]

Close-up of nutsert. This was the only one that had any substantial rust.

 

[Rookie2]

Picture of plastic stripping with rail removed:

 

[Rookie2]

Final result with all four rib-rails painted and installed.

 

[Rookie2]

We'll see how long it lasts. I did put some anti-seize on the nutsert threads, so hopefully future removal will not be a problem. It's got me wanting to tackle the roof racks, but not sure I want to press my luck.


Rookie2

 

[e9999]

darn, that's so unfair!
how come I had some rusty 'serts and you got away with murder....?
sheesh...


Still have holes in my roof.

Took the first rib base off yesterday. What a PITA! Took me well over an hour to get it off. I ended up just pushing it off a mm at a time with a platic putty knife. Works great, leaves no goop on roof, but is very very slow. Also tried the razor blade. That's very fast, but leaves some adhesive behind, and my GooGone isn't doing anything much to it that I can see.

Ended up with a blister on the thumb!

There were indeed a few specks of rust on the edge of the base too....

what the ....?????


E

 

[hoser]

Eric, a Vinyl Eraser might help.

 

[e9999]

Eric, a Vinyl Eraser might help.

I did try a pencil eraser actually. Didn't work. That was a white eraser. Did it by hand of course. What's the material like on this "vinyl" eraser power gizmo?

E