roof coming unglued - Page 4 - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

brett2658 · 06-22-2009, 02:58 PM

I'm ready to do the repair my self do you think that they would open a ticket and charge the epoxy out and give it to me so i can get it done it is 97 out side and the roof is curved up about 12mm at the lt ft corner. on the way home at 5pm it was 102

John_H · 06-22-2009, 03:04 PM

Why do the repair yourself if warranty repairs are free and the work is guaranteed? Unlike many others, you're within a short distance of two Smart Centers.

Is the problem that they won't do it until the replacement roof arrives? Talk to them about doing a temporary repair given the heat and the troubles.

sato7 · 06-22-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brett2658

I'm ready to do the repair my self do you think that they would open a ticket and charge the epoxy out and give it to me so i can get it done it is 97 out side and the roof is curved up about 12mm at the lt ft corner.

first off the glue, if I remember correctly, is used in a special heated caulking gun. second, the whole roof has to be removed and prepped to re-installed properly. Thirdly, the glue used is actually harmful to the roof's edges.. I know as my roof has white discolorations were the glue came too close to the edge and turned the areas off color. Oh yeah in the process of removing the roof, the PROS hired by smart scratched my trideon in the rain gutter created by the polycarbonate roof and the trideons edge... want more? they set the roof on too far forward so now the rear edge of the roof has a gap of about half an inch...
So yeah do it your self! its easy and what could go wrong???

Kermit · 06-22-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sato7

first off the glue, if I remember correctly, is used in a special heated caulking gun. second, the whole roof has to be removed and prepped to re-installed properly. Thirdly, the glue used is actually harmful to the roof's edges.. I know as my roof has white discolorations were the glue came too close to the edge and turned the areas off color. Oh yeah in the process of removing the roof, the PROS hired by smart scratched my trideon in the rain gutter created by the polycarbonate roof and the trideons edge... want more? they set the roof on too far forward so now the rear edge of the roof has a gap of about half an inch...
So yeah do it your self! its easy and what could go wrong???

Now you have me scared!

Roof replacement countdown: 4 Days

smartSEATTLE · 06-23-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sato7

first off the glue, if I remember correctly, is used in a special heated caulking gun. second, the whole roof has to be removed and prepped to re-installed properly. Thirdly, the glue used is actually harmful to the roof's edges.. I know as my roof has white discolorations were the glue came too close to the edge and turned the areas off color. Oh yeah in the process of removing the roof, the PROS hired by smart scratched my trideon in the rain gutter created by the polycarbonate roof and the trideons edge... want more? they set the roof on too far forward so now the rear edge of the roof has a gap of about half an inch...
So yeah do it your self! its easy and what could go wrong???

I know some shops will not do the work in house. I have never done glass work myself but can tell you the repair was pretty simple and straight forward.

Removing the top was bit of a pain. I masked off the tridon shell with duct tape prior to attempting to cut it out.

The cleaning and prep materials all come in the glue kit. They just need to be sure to use the correct primer. There are two types in the kit.

Not sure how the discolor could have happended. The glue is a black style just like the glue used in windshields, actually I am pretty sure they are the same type of glue for both jobs. I would tend to think the discolor might have been caused during the removal and they scrapped the top with the cutter, leaves a white mark on the panoramic roof.

The glue does NOT have to be heated, but after doing my first replacement I am still sore from trying to get the glue out of the gun. Heating the glue made a HUGE difference.

Lining up the roof is a bit tricky, two guys laying the roof in makes the job much easier. Just add some good weight to the top after it is layed in and then let it set. I keep the vehicles here in the shop at least 18 hours just so I can be sure it looks right and does not leak.

And yes not everyone is perfect, I have had to redue one top that I did not get set up right and of all things the thing creaked while driving over rough roads as I got the top to clsoe to the metal frame.

sato7 · 06-23-2009, 02:11 PM

Seattle states "I would tend to think the discolor might have been caused during the removal and they scrapped the top with the cutter, leaves a white mark on the panoramic roof." It could very well be that, what caused my roof damage. The glue used on my windshield was HOT, and it went on really easy... with a powered caulker... I'm assuming the same was used to do the top. unlike you, the personnel that removed my top did not prep as well as you say. thus the unfortunate scrapes along the trideon.
I just hate that I, a roofing product commercializer know more about my smart than the service centers "technicians" and or the 3rd party hired help!

brett2658 · 06-24-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartseattle

i know some shops will not do the work in house. I have never done glass work myself but can tell you the repair was pretty simple and straight forward.

Removing the top was bit of a pain. I masked off the tridon shell with duct tape prior to attempting to cut it out.

The cleaning and prep materials all come in the glue kit. They just need to be sure to use the correct primer. There are two types in the kit.

Not sure how the discolor could have happended. The glue is a black style just like the glue used in windshields, actually i am pretty sure they are the same type of glue for both jobs. I would tend to think the discolor might have been caused during the removal and they scrapped the top with the cutter, leaves a white mark on the panoramic roof.

The glue does not have to be heated, but after doing my first replacement i am still sore from trying to get the glue out of the gun. Heating the glue made a huge difference.

Lining up the roof is a bit tricky, two guys laying the roof in makes the job much easier. Just add some good weight to the top after it is layed in and then let it set. I keep the vehicles here in the shop at least 18 hours just so i can be sure it looks right and does not leak.

And yes not everyone is perfect, i have had to redue one top that i did not get set up right and of all things the thing creaked while driving over rough roads as i got the top to clsoe to the metal frame.

i've done body work for the last 18 year first worked for ford for 15 years, now with bmw. I use to not do glass work, but now i do it is not that hard just takes a little time to pick up on it. I'm now doing glass work for half of the shop here with 13 techs. Is the urethane the same for the windshield and the roof?

smartSEATTLE · 06-24-2009, 12:24 PM

These are the 3 part numbers listed by smart for the adhesive.

A0099899271 is used for the windshield you would need two to complete repair

A4519890071 is for panoramic roof

A4519890171 is for solid roof

This is how it is listed in our parts catalog at least.