Sealing up a sunroof

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el sketcho
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Sealing up a sunroof

Post by el sketcho »

My van has a sunroof that the pop top roof has been fitted over, I want to seal this up and replace the headlining so you can't see the glass, but I can't get the glass out so what I'm thinking of doing is, with all the hinges and latch in place run a bead of gripfill or no nails around where the glass meets the seal, let this cure then remove the hinges and latch.
Does this sound like a stupid idea and if so can anyone give me some pointers of what else I could do instead?

Andy
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munnyella
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Re: Sealing up a sunroof

Post by munnyella »

Personally, I would use a silicone, rather than gripfill, deffo not `no nails`

I should be able to tell you what sort of silcone to use (I am a UPVC window repair specialist) but am unsure `cos of the rubber seal, general purpose should cover it.

I am assuming it's weather sealed from the pop top?

Lots of others on here may recommend `sikaflex' and the like, I have no experience of this type of stuff (yet!!) so let them guide you aswell.

If you are re doing the head lining, and its covered from above, take the whole unit out and flog it?

Mark M
My only toy now is a broken T25 and a sack full of BMX bikes. How the mighty have fallen (or got sensibler!!)

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el sketcho
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Re: Sealing up a sunroof

Post by el sketcho »

It's cover from above. Don't think it's entirely weather-proof as the luggage bit at the front of the pop top roof has drain holes in it. I was originally gonna take the glass out but I've got no room to play with there. I'm gonna strip out all of the other stuff for the sunroof so with the new head lining you shouldn't be able to notice unless you know it's there.
I think I've got some clear bathroom sealant here, what do you reckon?
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sezicoolcat
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Re: Sealing up a sunroof

Post by sezicoolcat »

Hi Andy,

You have a Holdsworth roof and I also have those "drain holes" in my luggage area on my roof, so I guess they're there by design - not because yours has a prob :ok

Sarah x
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munnyella
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Re: Sealing up a sunroof

Post by munnyella »

Hi

Should be ok with the bathroom sealant, as long as its silicone based, don't use it if its not, wont last.

Put a bead on the seal before you close it for the last time, then apply liberally, wet your finger (spit is ideal) before working the gunk arount the joint (or use a pair of `bottom inspector' gloves) make sure you have lots of old rag to clean your hands with `at the ẁork area' not outside the van, it sticks like Sh!t to a blanket!

Wetting your finger make the silicone smooth better and helps keep your hand cleaner

Good luck

Mark
My only toy now is a broken T25 and a sack full of BMX bikes. How the mighty have fallen (or got sensibler!!)

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