i have too many other projects going on so I just need to keep the water out of the 300d by taping the sunroof edges.

I know that duct tape is a bad idea becuase of the residue and the degradation to the sun.

Kent Bergsma recommended something he called Ziptape(sp?) that he sells but I cannot find any info on it.

Any recommendations? thanks guys.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

There are a number of tapes that should hold up reasonably well in sunlight. The type that is used for auto speed stripes should work. And marine stores carry boot top or water line stripe tapes that based on experience, last for many years in a tough environment.

Another option might be a clear tape like the ones sold for repairing cracked taillights, but may not hold up as well as solid colour tapes.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Since my car is blk ,I just used good ole gasket seal .If you need to resurrect its operation I would use the clear ,much softer and easier to peel up. Try some on a piece of metal and let it dry ,peel to see if you lose paint ,these products are full of drying compounds that could soften paint.

take kent's advice at your own risk...

how long are you planning on leaving the tape in place?

I use a tape in my HVAC business, called venture tape. it's ultra thin, and similar to packing tape. there is also a tape for suction line insulation that's similar to electrical tape. that should hold up well.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

years or forever. do you have a suggestion?

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

I would go with Black Silicon Sealant. Open the Sunroof; smear the Silicone sealant on the sealing edges of what is left of the original Sun Roof Seal and close the Sunroof.
If any excess comes out press it down into the Seal and wipe off the Excess that gets on the Paint.
If there is gaps in the Silicon Sealant and the Sunroof Seal that Plastic Nozzle thing that comes with the Silicone Sealant and cut the end so that you get a tiny bead when you squeeze the Tube and fill in any gaps.
If you use the Sealant sparingly it should also look OK.

However, I think a better start would be to clean out the Sunroof Drains so that any Water that leaks in can get out.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

i have had good quality 1" painter's masking tape holding mine closed for a couple of months, no problems. permanent solution, here i come!

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'77 240D, 504H, OM617.952, etc.

See my post on similar active thread about sunroofs. Suggested a bodywrap bandaid. They say that bodywrap vinyl film will last for 7 years.

The marine boottop tape I suggested earlier is put on boats at factory. Also used to make up stick on boat names. A sign company would have it. Never seen it deteriorate even after 25 years.

Don't put sealant on it - It will look like hell! Unless a high quality UV resistant type is used, won't last that long. There are high quality marine sealants that do work and adhere well. You would need to do a careful masking tape job as well as make sure sealant has a backing - but do this as last resort!

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

i guess the drains are fine? i used the metal tape i had left over from taping the seams on my stove pipe. pretty secure and lifts off well when you are ready to fix the prblem

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0o==o0

James 4:8

"...let us put aside the blindness of mind of those who can conceive of nothing higher than what is known through the senses"
-Saint Gregory Palamas, ---Discourse on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ


Centrally located in North East Central Pa.

I just bought a car that has this bodywrap all over it, and it peels off cleanly. that's a good suggestion. I think you can buy rolls of it in MANY colors on ebay. pick one close to the color of your car, and cover it up.
or.
choose a color you want the entire top of your car to be, and wrap the entire top.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

OMG!!!
THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!!

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I'd get that stuff that they use as a car bra, cut custom rectangle slightly larger than sunroof, get professionally applied.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

Just like this: Gloss Black Vinyl Roof Wrap Installation - YouTube

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

what about plastidip on the seams? maybe put some pinstripe masking tape in the seam first, then coat with plasti dip...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

My front sunroof pan drains are completely toasted on my 78' project car. They rusted completely away. Restoring the car is simply not worth the money on the particular 300D. It was just too far gone when I found it.

I agree with the silicone business. I'm going to disconnect my switch and seal up the sunroof. Going to try and make it as low key as possible.