WC 53 Roof Panel

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June J
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My garage: 1942 Dodge WC 53
1941 Willys MB
1960 M38A1 Nekaf
Location: New Zealand

WC 53 Roof Panel

Post by June J »

So we took our Carry-All for a week-end away late weekend, 230 kilometers each way. Apart from a noisy transfer case it went very well, that is of course until it rained on Saturday night!

When I looked at the vehicle on Sunday morning the roof panel weather seal and part of the canvas had come out of the channel and obviously the rain had gotten inside the vehicle.

I have revisited the work instruction for the roof panel and there is no mention of gluing the canvas to the panel, and wondered if other owners had experienced the same thing as me??

I am reluctant to glue the whole thing down as it feels like a recipie for disaster.

Your thoughts appreciated.

Ian
1942 Dodge WC 53
1941 Willys MB
1960 M-38A1 Nekaf
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Gordon_M
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Re: WC 53 Roof Panel

Post by Gordon_M »

Well of course you glue it Ian, why would you not? Back in the day anyone working on them would have experience with buggy and van roofs and would do it automatically.

I use a sheet of car vinyl, bigger than the roof, glued in place and pegged down into the channel to keep it tight, then cut it off so the cut end is down in the channel, pound in the seal and staple the end.

Then mask all the way round the seal so it is in the middle of a 3" strip, then cover that strip with rubber roof paint - removing the masking before the rubber can set and trap it.

When all that is done, and fully dry, two coats of OD green over the whole roof and it'll never leak.
Gordon, in Scotland

( Now officially given up on any form of politics )
June J
Technician 3rd Grade
Technician 3rd Grade
Posts: 382
Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:27 am
My garage: 1942 Dodge WC 53
1941 Willys MB
1960 M38A1 Nekaf
Location: New Zealand

Re: WC 53 Roof Panel

Post by June J »

Thanks Gordon, great to get an emphatic answer :thumbup:
Ian
1942 Dodge WC 53
1941 Willys MB
1960 M-38A1 Nekaf
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Gordon_M
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Re: WC 53 Roof Panel

Post by Gordon_M »

No problem Ian, it's question of sealing. A vinyl sheet glued on seals the roof, the rubber profile seal seals the edge, the rubber paint seals the vinyl, rubber profile, and roof edge.

... and the paint seals the lot. :D
Gordon, in Scotland

( Now officially given up on any form of politics )
June J
Technician 3rd Grade
Technician 3rd Grade
Posts: 382
Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:27 am
My garage: 1942 Dodge WC 53
1941 Willys MB
1960 M38A1 Nekaf
Location: New Zealand

Re: WC 53 Roof Panel

Post by June J »

Gotcha! I used cotton canvas rather than vinyl but I guess the final outcome will be the same.

Cheers
Ian
1942 Dodge WC 53
1941 Willys MB
1960 M-38A1 Nekaf
Ray Edsall
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Re: WC 53 Roof Panel

Post by Ray Edsall »

G,day Ian . Look,s like you have invented a mobil bush shower . You should patent it :D Or else do what the army did . 2 pieces of 18 guage sheet metal and use a couple of hundred self tapper,s to hold down. works for me :twisted: :evil: Ray
June J
Technician 3rd Grade
Technician 3rd Grade
Posts: 382
Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:27 am
My garage: 1942 Dodge WC 53
1941 Willys MB
1960 M38A1 Nekaf
Location: New Zealand

Re: WC 53 Roof Panel

Post by June J »

Yep Ray, it's a real doozey. No good in Aussie though mate, it never rains 😂😂.

On ya mate
Ian
1942 Dodge WC 53
1941 Willys MB
1960 M-38A1 Nekaf
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