Thread: Can defender be sealed by ally tig welding?

You could weld up the centre seam but the effort to get it clean to weld would make Sika flexing the joint cheaper.

Sika is also flexible as well so won’t split if the roof twists.

I’d say the pop top conversions replace the roof with a new and possibly superior design.

So in short I think it’s just not worth the hassle welding it.

Are you aware that the roof on many passenger vehicles is essentially fitted with a type of Sikaflex?

Originally Posted by Tombie

Are you aware that the roof on many passenger vehicles is essentially fitted with a type of Sikaflex?

All the post 1990’s tractor windows are Sika flexed now as well. They certainly stand up to a lot of abuse.

Yeah, i kinda figured the splitting might be an issue. Like to know if anyone has given it a crack (pun intended).

Regarding the use on defenders and other cars.. I have read on here that people have to do it every 5 yrs or so. Is that accurate? Makes me wonder why it works on other cars?

Be careful where you are welding, Sika flexed is used where there this likely to be flexing or movement if this is the case then welding would cause cracking and possible damage to the panels in and around the weld .
Hodgo

Nope. Last Defender didn’t leak from anywhere but the bottom of the doors.
Overloading roofs, excessive offroad flexing, torsionally unsuitable roof racks etc can all contribute to stressing seams.

Originally Posted by LRT

You could weld up the centre seam but the effort to get it clean to weld would make Sika flexing the joint cheaper.

Sika is also flexible as well so won’t split if the roof twists.

I’d say the pop top conversions replace the roof with a new and possibly superior design.

So in short I think it’s just not worth the hassle welding it.

Regarding the pop tops.. I will have to have a closer look

Originally Posted by jezzarezza

Yeah, i kinda figured the splitting might be an issue. Like to know if anyone has given it a crack (pun intended).

Regarding the use on defenders and other cars.. I have read on here that people have to do it every 5 yrs or so. Is that accurate? Makes me wonder why it works on other cars?

I have seen Defenders that have carried too much weight on the roof and they split up the front above the windscreen.

I’d say it depends on what sort of silastic was used.

I have used Sikaflex on all sorts of things such as water tanks (make sure it’s the potable type!) & countless tractor windows without any leaks.