We are addressing this problem now as the body man gets ready to paint my car.  What he suggested was to use filler to fill the channels along the weatherstrip so it has a slope, making the water move towards the corners.  The he will cut a slot in the corner and glue in a piece of channelled PVC pipe so there is a channel for water to drain. Finally he will strip, treat, and seal the metal behind the tail lamps, so it will not rust.

 

Until now, the drain-lip was rusted from underneath, and one drain was so rusted, there was a noticeable 'hole' you could see.

I removed what was left of the panel in question on my project 260. After patching the body underneath I made a new one out of 16ga. galvanized sheet metal. It hasn't been installed yet but the plan is to raise the forward part of the panel so it slopes to the rear of the car. I've fitted it & it appears that it will work fine.

The body, in that section, appears to have rusted from the bottom up. Much more work to be done at the rear of the car. spare tire well etc.

I am about to do the same repair on my 240z, and I saw a thread along time ago about welding an extra part on the original "gutter".

 

Link for the thread: http://www.classiczcars.com/topic/45387-what-to-do/?hl=%2Bhatch+%2Bdrain#entry411736

 

I am going to do it with a bit more original look, but i really like the idea that Grannyknot posted 

 

/Martin

Would it be a good idea to put in a small drain hole with a tube next to the weatherstrip?

Edited May 30, 20159 yr by TomoHawk

Werup, thanks but I just want it known that it wasn't my idea, I just stole it off someone else on this forum.

But it does work well and I think the added chanel wouldn't even have to be welded on, some seam sealer would probably do the job

Chris

Do you mean to put a thin line of seam sealer to create some kind of channel?  The OP wanted to extend the gutter to the bottom so it drains directly out of the shelf, and the only thing I can think of is to use a bit of square plastic tubing.

Edited May 30, 20159 yr by TomoHawk

I think Grannyknot was suggesting using the seam sealer to hold the metal channel in place sorta like glue to usher the water to the back of the car.

That would work, and you'll still need to funnel it out the back or under the car.

No problem grannyknot, i know, you state this in your thread, but the first I saw on here with the idea  But really like the way it would help on the water problem at the hatch area.

 

So here is what it looks like on my car, welded in to look original A little rough at the moment, but are going to the sand blaster within a week.

 

/Werup

Werup, That got wow factor. Looks neat and when painted you would think it was originally made so.

Are you going to fill the seams around the panel like in post #5?

Werup,

That looks great. Very well done

Thanks, really like how original it looks

 

Chas - My first thought was only to seal the edges around it with normal body sealer. Not fill it to be smooth. But maybe the painter will tell me otherwise. Can update you soon