How to patch small roof holes?

[MambaJack]

Wondering if for small holes. It would work just to grind down to bare metal and use polyeurathane adhesive to attach sheet metal to them? Or what would be the best way to deal?

 

[MambaJack]

The three items above get removed, and not sure how to deal with those window heater wires

 

[warewolff]

For the small ones I used body filler, sanded, and repainted. Much nicer and more professional look than silicon or sheet metal. Might take 2 or 3 applications for the quarter to half dollar sized stuff.

 

[Mgulley82]

I used Bondo fiberglass

 

[o1marc]

Order I would take if available.
1) weld the holes up, sand and finish
2) if access to back of holes, I would patch holes with tape or something before using bondo, sand and finish.
3) For the wires, if they are being deleted, cut them and push them inside the hole, repair hole. if accessible from inside, trace them and pull them out.

 

[MambaJack]

Thanks. Yep sounds like a great idea to seal from back then patch and sand the outside. The wires seem like I should keep. Are mirror heaters worth it?

 

[o1marc]

Thanks. Yep sounds like a great idea to seal from back then patch and sand the outside. The wires seem like I should keep. Are mirror heaters worth it?

If you have access to the back side, weld in metal patches on the back side, sand and finish. I wonder about the wires hanging from mine. Are they heated mirror wires?

 

[MambaJack]

I am pretty sure they are. Mine just aren't sealed at the body panel. Guess may I will just silicone the hole

 

[EastCoastCB]

I am pretty sure they are. Mine just aren't sealed at the body panel. Guess may I will just silicone the hole

Use anything but silicone.

 

[sojourner-SKO]

I JB Weld a piece of sheet metal on the backside of holes and then sand and bondo the outside to fair. Prime and paint.

 

[MambaJack]

On the heater wires. I plan to pull them for now and patch o e the holes. When I do put them back, think I will drill new holes on the bottom instead of the top.

 

[MambaJack]

Specifically what would be best. I got some self leveling lap sealant but that goes over the top right?

 

[EastCoastCB]

Specifically what would be best. I got some self leveling lap sealant but that goes over the top right?

You could just patch them from the back and use a bit of body filler. Then you'd not have an odd dab of lap sealant up there. Properly done the repair would be pretty much invisible.

 

[MambaJack]

Thanks. I meant for the large vent hole its prob 6 inches. Can I do the same with that?

 

[EastCoastCB]

Thanks. I meant for the large vent hole its prob 6 inches. Can I do the same with that?

Here's what I did-

I didn't get progress shots for the vent but I did the same on this strobe-

no need for lap sealant in this application really. I just used 3m seam sealer from autozone.
It'll never leak.

 

[siloguy]

I had a few small holes like that to plug. I just got a few of the plastic plugs the right size and pushed them into the holes. They are called plastic body plugs, I think and automotive stores usually have a stock of them in various sizes, or you can hunt around for the right diameter plugs in the floors under the carpet of most any junk car or truck. Most common would probably be from 1/2 inch to about 2 and 1/2 " and they seem to take paint well if they are primed. Most of the ones I've found on domestic cars and trucks seem to carry the brand name "caplug" and size in diameter is stamped on.

 

[siloguy]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PP7XU1E/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_1_w

These work for nice round holes and take about one second to install. If you can find and use the right size, they will not leak and often get painted.

 

[EastCoastCB]

I had a few small holes like that to plug. I just got a few of the plastic plugs the right size and pushed them into the holes. They are called plastic body plugs, I think and automotive stores usually have a stock of them in various sizes, or you can hunt around for the right diameter plugs in the floors under the carpet of most any junk car or truck. Most common would probably be from 1/2 inch to about 2 and 1/2 " and they seem to take paint well if they are primed. Most of the ones I've found on domestic cars and trucks seem to carry the brand name "caplug" and size in diameter is stamped on.

Those aren't really for sealing holes in roofs. They're for filling holes in plastic bumpers and such.

 

[BarnYardCamp]

This thread is a bit old...wondering if blue RTV would work...I saw where ECCB used seam sealer from autozone..is that holding up well?
I'm removing my strobe because it leaks.

 

[EastCoastCB]

This thread is a bit old...wondering if blue RTV would work...I saw where ECCB used seam sealer from autozone..is that holding up well?
I'm removing my strobe because it leaks.

The seam sealer holds up real well. Everything I've ever used it on is still 100%.