FAQ: What Causes the Roof to Craze?

[jefferios]

I got a chance to talk with Smart USA's Engineer about this question on what causes the crazing:

It is UV exposure. As of March 2012 production a new roof material has been introduced. It addresses the tendency to craze/crack as the old roof did from UV exposure.As for spare part availability this is still an open question. The main supply is going directly to production so spare part stock does not get filled as quick.It will be available in spare part supply, but I do not have an exact date at this point in time.

[jetfuel]

...answer...age...it's like the white hair some of you guys have...

jetfuel...Grecian formula

[MB DNA]

Originally Posted by jefferios

I got a chance to talk with Smart USA's Engineer about this question on what causes the crazing:

jefferios, thanks for sharing but this ah-ha moment on the part of the smart Engineers is long overdue. Did they happen to mention the miracle product they chose to replace Makrolon® with?

Hard to believe that it took so long to come to the same conclusion as many smart owners had long ago.

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by jefferios

I got a chance to talk with Smart USA's Engineer about this question on what causes the crazing:

Quote:
It is UV exposure. As of March 2012 production a new roof material has been introduced. It addresses the tendency to craze/crack as the old roof did from UV exposure.As for spare part availability this is still an open question. The main supply is going directly to production so spare part stock does not get filled as quick.It will be available in spare part supply, but I do not have an exact date at this point in time.

Soooooooooooooooooooooooo................

Now that DVI has "acknowledged" it as a DEFECT, are they going to replace at no cost??

Inquiring minds want to know

[jefferios]

Not sure about replacement...but its nice to know why at least.

[smark]

Originally Posted by jetfuel

...answer...age...it's like the white hair some of you guys have...

jetfuel...Grecian formula

The cars are not that old. I could see this happen, to 10 to 12 year old vehicle.

[jetfuel]

Originally Posted by smark

The cars are not that old. I could see this happen, to 10 to 12 year old vehicle.

..you don't need to be old...you have a wife and kids????

jetfuel...need I said more???

[Chicopee Smartie]

Im still not 100% convinced. UV damage, yes likely. But in conjunction with a bad "batch" of ingredients sounds more likely to me. My 2010 roof, this minute is clear as glass corner to corner. It has been subject to far more UV that I would prefer. At least spring, summer, fall and winter of 2010 at the dealer. Then spring of 2011 at the dealer when I bought it "new". I don't have a garage but I do cover it. Yet it is in the sun a certain amount of the year I have owned it, can't help it. I'm not bragging, it doesn't make complete sense. Believe me, I'm still waiting!

[jetfuel]

Smartie...take a flash light and aim it at the roof at a 10 to 20 degree angle from outside and sit inside and check...mine looks great until the light hits it at the right angle and then is not so pretty...

jetfuel..

[Kermit]

True jet. I've had people tell me their roofs are fine then I show them the proper way to see the first signs and they see the light.