Windshield Rust???

[sjb15316]

I've looked through several of the posts and even did a search for rust above and below around the windshield. Either I'm blind, stupid or own the only 2 ZX's in the USA with rust in these areas. The 80 only has one spot on the panel that the windshield wipers go through, and the 83 is much worse with rust there and right above the windshield. It (the 83) appears that it was patched with fiberglass or bondo (haven't removed the paint yet) and was wondering if anybody on here has fixed such a problem. Is there a skin available for this area or do you have to have one fab'd? I would appreciate any help or advice anybody could give. A friend of mine put it on a lift and we inspected the car underneath. Believe it or not, the bottom of the car is in excellent shape, so I'm considering whether or not to put the time and effort into trying to restore it or not. It's a 2+2 with 180K on it and I've been slowly repairing problems, i.e. alternator, struts, stereo, louver, vacuum hoses, etc... but it has come time to "fish or cut bait", so I could use some imput. Thanks, guys.

[webdawg1]

It's kind of a subjective issue. Depends on several related issues.... (1) Body condition of the car, (2) What all do you want to do to it...I.E. - Total restoration, Refresh only, Repair as needed, Daily driver....blah blah blah, (3) How much money are you willing to put into it? Item 3 depends on what all you want to do with item 2, and item 2 is based on item 1....So it all sort on interrelated so to speak........Bottom line tho is when it's all done and over with you'll be going....Yee Haw, Yeah baby, Uh huh...That's right........Take a real good hard look at it...top to bottom....front to back....inside....outside....make note of any problems and make your decision based on the cold hard facts....Let the journey begin............

webdawg1

[sjb15316]

Well, the overall condition of the 83 is what I'd consider 7.5 - 8 out of 10. Considering the age and the fact that it has been a daily driver, the body is tight, no rattles, no filler other than the rust above the windshield looks like it might have been "treated" and painted prior to my purchase in 5/05. So, is there a roof skin that can be purchased or is it a cut and weld proposition? Again, thanks.

[webdawg1]

Pretty much depends on what tools you currently have on hand, and how good you might be with said tools....Might be the better part of valor to just take it to a (trusted auto shop) and have them do it if you don't have any type of welding equipment and metal working tools on hand. In other words by the time you bought the welding equipment and metal working tools and got good with them, it would probably be cheaper to take it to a shop and have them do it....you did not mention any type of tools you might have on hand so I'm guessing you probably have the normal hand tools. (I.E - sockets, wrenches...etc...etc)

webdawg1

[zbane]

Steve, my 79 zx has some bubbling in the windshield area, almost dead center on the bottom edge. It's not much, but is a concern. From the parts magazine I've got (Black Dragon), I haven't seen any replacement roof panels, so either it's a treat or cut and weld operation.

Good Luck.

[JimmyZ]

I'm making a webpage which addresses such issues...

http://warbuddies.homestead.com/RestoHelp.html

It will eventually be a cut and patch/weld operation but you can buy some time by removing some of the paint and applying Ospho, waiting 24hrs and spray can prime and repaint. The fix won't be pretty but it will slow the rusts progress.

My 2cents

Jim

[Oleh]

my 83ZX's windshield area/ a pillars are completly rusted. i bought a 240sx windshield and ill be welding that in.

[Roujin]

Rust in the windshield,i would start with taking out the windshield sanding back the whole area. Then bog up any little holes (big ones may require welding skills). When bog dries, paint over with a can of kill rust then when that dries paint with touch up paint to match the body unless you want to paint the whole car. Get some sillicon sealant and seal the window back in and use some contact adhesive to `tack` the trim back on

I hope this helps (i need to do the exact same thing)