I've been contemplating doing just that to my truck. Granted, it's been a California truck nearly all its life, I'd still like to be able to peek at the condition of the roof skin and even be able to apply some sound deadener to it. I've even got some stainless steel rivets I could use to reassemble things. I wouldn't mind figuring out a way to make it removable for future service or maybe the occasional electrical work. Access to cab light wiring would be a breeze!

 

I've been using fluid film for a few years now...LOVE IT!! It stays on very well, even in adverse conditions.

As for the roof...I'll be doing this next year. There was a rusty old beat crewcab in the wreckers about 200 miles from me...found it online one night. Drove up and pillaged the rear doors, and cut the roof off just so I would have those inner panels.

 

It's amazing. Been all over the net looking at the reviews of that stuff, and it's pretty much a consistent feeling about it.... Time to buy some I guess.

Good rule of thumb for us is to start saving parts.... as some here are already doing..

 

I've been using a lot of rust crap given I live in upstate NY. I just run with Wurth under body. I really regret using POR15, the truck I had with por-15 had more rust on it underneath por. Sadly I spent a lot of money on some acid etch stuff and zinc coating

Anyways check out Wurth, I run that all over the underbody, it's a tacky membrane rubber that wicks moisture away from the frame. The SKS stone guard is a thicker product and I like to use that in wheel wells and what not. They also make an industrial application which comes with a hose adapter. You would seal the frame/body from the inside and then finish the rest off with a spray. The industrial stuff is a bit expensive though.

I just did a toyota tacoma last friday so I'll see what he says in after the winter. The product is still flexible even at -50F.

 

You can usually find Fluid Film at your local John Deere Dealership. I think i gave roughly $40 for a gallon, and I spray it through a cheap HVLP paint gun.... (that I don't ever use for paint )

 

It does have a pretty distinct smell though. It doesn't smell like something dead, but it isn't exactly perfume either. It goes away after like 3 weeks.

 

I agree on the POR15...it does not hold up to a corrosive environment.