Hello Everyone,

I am in process of restoring a 1965 Bonneville Convertible, I have pulled the windshield out and found a pile of rust in the tray, it is to the point where it has been leaking into the passenger compartment, the rust has pretty much destroyed the tray all the way across as it is pretty much non-existent, since this "Tray", "Gutter" etc is a part of the dash assembly that extends the full width of the car it not an easy find for replacement parts, does anyone have any suggestions on how I might go about either fabricating, using a tray from another manufacture (Such as a Full size Impala same vintage), I also found a chemical replacement that folks have been swearing by that is similar to JB WELD. I know that I cant use BONDO since its very porous and will leak again, Has anyone had any luck with fiberglass? Any other thoughts? even the recommendation of a Commercial vendor that already makes this type of thing would be helpful.

Thanks

The most knowledgable guy I can think of on this type of stuff is SGP358. Steve always has his hands on a classic.

Replacing the try is the best option, but may be hard to do. If you have to resort to building it back up, look in to a product called Bondo hair. It'* basically fiberglass in a can. Not sure how it will work in this instance. But I have used it several times and had no issues with it. Talk to SGP358 first though.

Thanks for the response guys, Ive been doing a little more research on this, since the channel is almost completely gone I will need to at least fabricate/install a new one, I have found some universal channel from JC Whitney that will help me get started I think. at least I will be able to get the general shape from it and maybe I can use the bondo hair to fill in the blanks. I still look forward to hearing from SGP358.

Here'* his 1960.


Would love to see pictures of the project. We don't get enough of the classics here.

[QUOTE=Griddly;1503007]This is one of the better pics I have of her, she just needs a little TLC in order to be a looker. Lets try again

That one worked. You can also click on go advanced and preview your post when putting pictures in.

Looks to be in good shape.

Well that depends on perspective, its a Washington Car that was driven down to Arizona and parked under a tarp, at which time a few pack rats decided to move in and proceed to create their living space, all the a/c ducts, the wiring, the seats and the top have been eaten through. They were living in the intake and the cylinder heads as well. Needless to say we have alot of work cut out for us. each of the issues we had found on the tear down, this is not what it looks like today, its in about 250 pieces right now and we are working our way to putting it back together.

Is there a way I can delete the messy post, I dont see an option in here anywhere

I pulled the messed up post out for you.

I work with a guy who stored a car, then started it, kind of. Turns out a mouse built a nest in a cylinder.

yeah its a pain, the engine wouldn't turn over, we needed to pull the heads and intake from it as well, this was a whole family of critters there was *### everywhere, we are replacing carpet upholstery and the works. we have had it torn down for about a year, its time we get busy on it and get it back together, plus I need the space in my shop and his wife is getting after him to ride in it once again.