Roof panel seams - how to fix rust?

[bman]

Hi All,

I just can't find this dicussed yet - maybe I am not thinking straight for the search terms I am using, but anyway:

I've got some rust spots on my roof panel that I would like to repair. They're right at the seams where the top of the roof meets the side rail that joins the A and C pillars along the roof line.

In between the side and the top of the roof, there seems to be a rubber gasket, and a colour-matched trim piece inserted into it, separating the top and side of the roof.

Does anyone know how to remove that trim piece so I can get to work fixing the rust properly?

Cheers,
Byron

[Kong]

Hi
I got the same problem on my roof is it anybody out there who can answer this question?

Kong

[marvins_dad]

Anyone got a picture of this rust and what you are trying to remove?

[marvins_dad]

I believe the rubber piece can just be pulled out. It's just a friction fit. I haven't removed mine though. I know folks in my club have removed theirs to accommodate their PIP racks.

Not sure that this illustrates it, but this was what I found in Bentley. Have to search again when I get home tonight.

[marvins_dad]

Wow - the images didn't print to the pdf-will try again later.

[marvins_dad]

Images that are missing from the pdf...

[Ollie]

pull from the rear using a taped screwdriver to avoid scratching- and pull evenly- the painted metal strip will bend easily and it can be hard to straighten it again.

[SMG]

I had a bodyshop fix the same problem on my TDI for a little under $100 where it was rusting in two places. They took the rail out, sand blasted the rusty spots to bare metal, sealed the whole thing with epoxy primer and painted in the rail and then taped off two squares on the roof where the rust was and painted those body colour. Yeah I have 2 colour-matched squares on the roof but they're not rusty and hopefully the same problem won't come back anytime soon. It was either $100 to get it fixed and have the little squares in 2 places or spend $800+ to paint the roof and the side of the car.