Drip rail removal

[z0sick]

I'm no pro... just a guy in his garage. Never messed with a drip rail before and never done body work at all prior to this car, so take it for what it's worth (not much).

A good place to start with drip rail removal is with a decent drip rail.
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After you find a decent drip rail, you'll need a good way to destroy them.
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I prefer the grip and bend the hell out of it method.
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After it's all bent, its time to chop. I took a page from someone else's book and did the chop/tack weld method. (6 inches at a time)
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After the whole thing had been chopped off and tacked, I welded between the tacks and cleaned it up with a flap wheel.
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End result = no drip rails...
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[Ron.in.SoCal]

Nice job! I remember doing it exactly as you did. Scared the carp outta me. :yes:

[z0sick]

Nice job! I remember doing it exactly as you did. Scared the carp outta me. :yes:


63599

[DreKoushRanada]

I cant wait to start on mine. So once you bend the drip weld you will be able to see the seem you have to weld? I will be doing this with a 1970 cutlass.

[z0sick]

I cant wait to start on mine. So once you bend the drip weld you will be able to see the seem you have to weld? I will be doing this with a 1970 cutlass.

What you see in the pics is exactly what it looks like. Once you bend it down there will be a little seam sealer and a joint of two panels. On the Camaro, the panels are offset by about 1/2". I cut about 5/8" off, welded, and ground smooth.

[DreKoushRanada]

Thanks for the info. I hope to start on it this weekend.

[DreKoushRanada]

Do you thing the Harbor Freight 90 amp flux core welder would be good for this project?

[jlcustomz]

Flux core welding is quite messy for something you need nice like bodywork on thin sheetmetal.

[blakes72x]

ok so this is definately now on my to do list

looks great

[cwylie]

I want to do this but as everyone else said it scares the crap out of me. Anyone else have pictures of what they did?

[minendrews68]

I want to do this but as everyone else said it scares the crap out of me. Anyone else have pictures of what they did?

Man, I'm right there with you. Although I would like to have a little bit of a roll there at the place where you welded it. It scares me too, probably why I've not done it yet.

[WallaceMFG]

I skipped the bending part when I did mine and just cut them off in small sections, but that way works too!

I've got some pictures of cutting mine off my 69 Chevelle in my build thread. I can put them here later if people want them here.

Here' the build thread: https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/105831-1969-Chevelle-quot-Cone-Smasher-quot

[tigerhays]

Im rebuilding the corners of my roof just above the a pillars, I was considering cutting the drip rail off I have been trying to search and find this so I can see how it was done and finish look....I can not see the pics? can someone forward them to me? [email protected]

[jlcustomz]

You can't bring back pics once the original poster removes them from an original source such as photobucket.
Here's a couple more threads on the subject
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/43090-Need-Advice-on-Shaved-Drip-Rails-for-68-Camaro?highlight=drip+rail+removal
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/85096-Shaved-drip-rail-bad-idea-for-rain?highlight=drip+rail+removal

[tigerhays]

thanks I am still on the fence,I have a friend that is having his done as we speak...I guess I need to go see in person before I commit!