Non Sunroof Skin - Drilling Spot welds out

1. user_7 Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 700 Mk6 Golf GTD Saxo VTS Project Rally Car

   #1 12th September 2012, 16:56

   I guess this is the best place for a knowledgeable answer.
   
   I've bought a non sunroof skin that came off a 106, the skin was cut off at the top of the A, B & C pillars, so needs taking off before getting swaped with the Saxo sunroof skin.
   
   The spot welds are about 5mm, so I purchased a couple of 6mm spot weld drills, bu they don't seem to cut enough to separate the two panels. I've been trying to remove the brace bar, and have drilled all 4 spot welds both sides to no success.
   
   Before I go wading in with an 8mm bit (and with the rest of the roof skin) can anybody tell me if this is the way to go, or have I just been a wazock and not drilled the spot central?
   
   I could leave it to the body shop to do when it eventually goes in to be swapped, but why should I if I can do it myself and save a few pennies.
   
   Cheers

   1 user thanked this post: MuZiZZle
2. user_7 Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 700 Mk6 Golf GTD Saxo VTS Project Rally Car

   #2 12th September 2012, 20:30

   I'll persevere with the 6mm bit then, and open out any stubborn welds with the 8mm bit
3. user_7096 Established Member Joined: Sep 2005 Market Bosworth Posts: 2482 106 XSi 1360cc

   #3 13th September 2012, 23:50

   keep us informed with progress and steps taken as i need to do this at some point
4. axsaxoman Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2003 Scotland Posts: 3380

   #4 18th September 2012, 16:06

   to reuse a roof skin is a very ,very hard job as the spot welds never come out easy .
   I personally would,nt even consider it. buy a new skin £150?
   but if you must do it then i would use a grinder to remove not the skin from the pillars ,but the pillars from the skin ,so that way you do not distort the part you want .
   a very long hard job .
   If you must remove the skin from the pillars then start with a gas torch and burn all the paint and sealer from the joints ,then you will see exactly where the welds are .
   then cut off the outer part of the quarter panels so you can get at the seam with a very slim chisel --use at least an 8mm drill through all the welds then carefully split the skin form the outside to the inside -
   
   buy a new skin is the bst idea

   1 user thanked this post: Daz_Kez
5. nickhead Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2006 Lyneham, Wilts Posts: 602 '12 VW T5.1 Sportline '99 bodied 106 GTI

   #5 1st October 2012, 09:26

   I would just use a bigger drill bit.
   
   I paid £123 for my new skin from Citroen about 2 years ago, but in theory if you can save the old one go for it'
   
   I would do as John said and sand back the paint so you can see the spots an then drill them out.
6. user_7096 Established Member Joined: Sep 2005 Market Bosworth Posts: 2482 106 XSi 1360cc

   #6 1st October 2012, 09:44

   Would an S1 roof skin fit a Saxo VTS?
7. jpsaxo Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Oct 2005 Sydney Posts: 8525 Mango Westcoast

   #7 1st October 2012, 10:22

   Just buy a new one for the sake of £150 Sam

   2 users thanked this post: user_37194, Bedford126
8. user_37194 Established Member Joined: Sep 2009 rotherham Posts: 1832 Be scirocco, full on 03plate track spec Saxo

   #8 1st October 2012, 10:23

   exactly what ive said to him josh

   1 user thanked this post: jpsaxo
9. axsaxoman Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2003 Scotland Posts: 3380

   #9 2nd October 2012, 11:00

   I have a tool it is like a set of moles grips with a die grinder built in which uses spot weld bits .
   "spotle" was the trade name and even with that and where you can get at both sides to clamp it on its not easy
   http://www.collisionservices.com/(S(...ct.aspx?ID=814
   that is a link to a picture of it
   i never use it now --anyone want to make me a sensible offer for it?
10. nickhead Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2006 Lyneham, Wilts Posts: 602 '12 VW T5.1 Sportline '99 bodied 106 GTI

    #10 2nd October 2012, 18:23

    That's looks tricky to use.
    
    I used my 18v makita drill and whatever size drill bit required to drill my roof off.
    
    Didn't take long at all.
    
    I'd avoid using a grinder on either as the heat could distort it.
11. axsaxoman Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2003 Scotland Posts: 3380

    #11 3rd October 2012, 10:54

    the advantage of the tool is you can set the depth it drills too so you only remove the layer you want and not make a hole right through ,also the clamping stops it wandering about and if you have a whole panel to remove its alot quicker and you don,t break the tips of the spot weld drills as easy
12. nickhead Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2006 Lyneham, Wilts Posts: 602 '12 VW T5.1 Sportline '99 bodied 106 GTI

    #12 3rd October 2012, 11:25

    what do you now use instead John?
13. axsaxoman Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2003 Scotland Posts: 3380

    #13 4th October 2012, 11:26

    I don,t do any body work now --not done for years
14. user_7 Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 700 Mk6 Golf GTD Saxo VTS Project Rally Car

    #14 12th October 2012, 20:53

    8mm bit seems to be the winner, 75% off the 'useless' metal work is off, and the rest isn't much work from coming off too.
    
    I've drilled everything so far from as if I was inside the car taking care not to go through the roof skin as well as the pillar which has left me with what will basically look like a new roof skin, all bar a few minor bends which will tap out. Some of the welds didn't quite drill out so I took a flat blade screwdriver and hammer and separated them that way
    
    I'll get some photos tomorrow when it's finished.