Filling or finishing the body roofline channels, Model A Sedan

What are you guys doing, other than leaving the slotted holes in the roof edge channels on your A Sedans?
I don't want mine unfinished, and don't really think filling them flat would look right. Any ideas?
I'm using a filled roof, not cloth.
Thanks!

 

I suppose you could put a vinyl overlay on the top and attach it utilizing the tack slots and hide 'em welting. The top would then have a stock look to it. Of course you would need the wood top header, side, and rear rails installed to be able to tack it down, you wouldn't need the ribs. Other than that, about the only other option I can think of, is to weld up the tack slots and fill the depression for a smooth looking transition to the filled roof. Maybe some other ideas out there?

 

I used 1/2" solid rod and bent it to the shape of the channel, welded from the backside through the holes. Where the round rod meets the stock flat body line I ground the rod down to gradually blend into the stock lines.

 

3/16"X 1/2" rectangle stock, weld it up and smooth it out..

 

Looks good, what about over the sides? I'd like to keep that reveal.
Looked to me like stacking 3/8 flat stock over 5/8 flat stock would get me close. What did you use?
Then of course there's the rain gutter over the door, I'll deal with that later

 

Just a thought here. I can't say that I would do it without thinking real hard about it, but whay not make a piece of trim or a filler from stainless ?

like I said just a thought.

 

Stainless wouldn't blend in with the side bodylines. I want to keep that raised reveal like in slddnmatts pics above.

 

If you filled that area in with 3/8 flat there would be no need for a rain gutter

 

Check this thread for the way I did mine. Top was filled with Volare wagon, turned backwards, a perfect fit.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=482836
If you need more info, PM me.

 

Do you not have the factory drip rails or just dont want them back on?

 

I don't have the drip rails. I would like some at some point.

 

Nice job B-bop! Turned out nice, not sure how I could bend a strip like that and have it look nice. The unistrut idea in the same thread sounds good too.
Either way, looks like before attaching drip rails I should first fill the slotted channel with metal flush with the body.

 

This picture is when it was in metal only. You can see that the metal fills the channel and I welded in a filler strip to fill the channel that goes from the drip rail channel to the top of the roof. Very thin film of bondo to make it smooth.

 

What ever you do,don't fill it in smooth. Model A's look like hell without the rain gutter.

 

^^^^^^
What he said.

 

Saving this one too... You'd think someone would be manufacturing a steel alternative by now.

 

i saw one 1930 coupe that the owner made the gutters out of 1/2'' square tube that he cut the one side off. if he had'ent told me, i would'ent have known. he bent the shape first, then cut away most of the top and part of the side that goes against the body, welded them in from the back or inside. looked good.

 

Agreed.