I cracked my hard top panel *HELP*

[KidBroSweets]

Just dropped it putting it back on, heart breaking. Any ideas on how to patch this puppy?

passenger panel on top right corner

Sponsored

 

[GToddC5]

Damn, sorry man. It's basically unforgiveable how fragile they designed this top and panels to be.

 

[Dadsquatch]

Dang, sorry to hear. I wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares like this. I’d be trying to get a new one from Ford parts (if available).

 

[Beach_Bum]

Being that it will be out of pocket and not a warranty claim, you may as well trying "patching" it first. It will likely look like shit and be temporary. But it is worth the shot. The damage looks like a clean crack. You might try JBWeld and then some touch-up paint.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Get a Sunrider for the front?

 

[MnLakeBum]

A good body shop can repair it.

 

[Ksjrb03]

@lakesinai has a thread on repairing same crack.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/a-mic-top-repair-after-panel-blew-off.28919/

 

[Beach_Bum]

Get some THIN (slightly runny) clear epoxy and let it wick into the crack. Then within one to two minutes wipe off the excess with a clean, smooth cotton cloth. Use some denatured alcohol (Home Depot or Lowes in the paint department) and use another piece of clean cotton cloth and wipe off the surface to clean the epoxy smear with it. Do Not use acetone or you will melt the plastic.

Here is an article on how to thin epoxy using various methods.

Thinning Epoxy – How to Thin Epoxy Resin Correctly?

Cheap Tip: Try the one titled "Denatured Alcohol for Thinning Epoxy Resin" since you are going to need to purchase Denatured Alcohol already.

These were comments made by @North7 last year for a similarly cracked panel. Seems like solid advice.

 

[KidBroSweets]

These were comments made by @North7 last year for a similarly cracked panel. Seems like solid advice.

Thank you everyone for the help. Love the Bronco community. Gonna go to Home Depot tmr and try to salvage it

 

[KidBroSweets]

In other news after breaking the MIC. I took her off roading for the first time. Made me forget about the whole thing at least for the time being. Still easing my way into the off road world but stumbled upon this track near my house.

 

[RHeinz]

Damn, sorry man. It's basically unforgiveable how fragile they designed this top and panels to be.

Fragile design???? With all due respect, what would you have expected? If it was aluminum and dropped on “pavement” would the results have been any different?

I don’t think anyone who has posted here has declared “Fragile Design” when they have dropped their doors on the pavement. Why do you think the top different?

 

[RHeinz]

JB Weld and move on.

 

[Ksjrb03]

https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-rail-assembly-roof-side-m2dz7850285aa

it would of been $500 cheaper to drop the middle panel.

 

[MayhemMike]

Repair and a wrap of the top will most likely cost less then a new panel.

 

[lakesinai]

Just dropped it putting it back on, heart breaking. Any ideas on how to patch this puppy?

passenger panel on top right corner

If you'd search my post from Oct 2021, you'll see I broke the other corner similarly. There is no honeycomb under there, its solid glass and composite. Its quite strong, but if you drop it just right on the corner, it will snap. The best approach is to repair by injection from below, but you cannot make it much thicker or you'll mess up the gasket. Only way to repair from top is an unsightly build-up. I mixed carbon powder with west system. If you take a few photos from below, and with a slight bend I can see. Or message me.

Funny thing is, some well-positioned tape will stabilize it. Heres the general idea.
1. Separate void, clean and stabilize
2. Fill w thickened epoxy & maybe fiber
3. Clamp to keep contour.
4. Use plastic release material, cover areas to prevent bleed. Cure. Sand/file
5. Cover and shape with carbon & Epoxy.
6. Release plastic. Repeat 5.
Wet sand. Spray with a UV protectant ckear coat. UV rays destroy Epoxy, and the carbon is a close color and a UV blocking agent.
7. You may be able to repair yours from below, avoiding rebuilding the corner as I did. Because it is a thermoplastic material, polyester resin will not work, hence epoxy.

Thats my experience. Its held up 16 months

Sponsored