The roof could be wrapped or painted. The sun damage to the polymer roof is done at this point.
Oxidation on Hard Top
Hello my fellow Smartiez!
I own a 2009 Passion and the hard top has plenty of oxidation. California sun is hard on cars and also, my bad for letting it go this long
I've attached a photo for better understanding of what it's become. Can anyone tell me what method would be best of getting rid of the oxidation. Hopefully a good of the shelf product and pad will do the job. If I am able to remove the oxidation, how can I protect it so this doesn't happen again. Any advice is appreciated!
Thank you!
I own a 2009 Passion and the hard top has plenty of oxidation. California sun is hard on cars and also, my bad for letting it go this long
I've attached a photo for better understanding of what it's become. Can anyone tell me what method would be best of getting rid of the oxidation. Hopefully a good of the shelf product and pad will do the job. If I am able to remove the oxidation, how can I protect it so this doesn't happen again. Any advice is appreciated!Thank you!
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I was really hoping not to hear this
but I hear ya. I was also hoping on other solutions. Thanks for the advice.
Nothing to lose... nice!
My 2009 Passion has some of the same deterioration, but not as bad as the above photo. Mine is mostly confined to the rear 8" of the roof. It looks like a thin top layer has been peeling away. I tried some plastic polish but it had little effect. I have the crazing as well.
Is the roof tint within the plastic or a coating on the top surface? I have a couple of what appear to be scratches of the tint, only really visible from the inside looking out.
I'm thinking of putting the perforated wrap material on the roof. A white wrap on a white car could totally transform the appearance. This would hopefully protect the roof from further damage, while still maintaining some visibility through it. I'd expect it to reduce the amount of summer heat gain also.
What sort of prep would the roof require for a wrap... sanding and polishing, or just a good cleaning?
~toaster
Hello my fellow Smartiez!
I own a 2009 Passion and the hard top has plenty of oxidation. California sun is hard on cars and also, my bad for letting it go this longI've attached a photo for better understanding of what it's become. Can anyone tell me what method would be best of getting rid of the oxidation. Hopefully a good of the shelf product and pad will do the job. If I am able to remove the oxidation, how can I protect it so this doesn't happen again. Any advice is appreciated!![]()
Thank you!![]()
I had an 09 with the same problem, looked very similar to yours. I cleaned the top, removed any flaking pieces and then coated it with wipe new. It's that stuff you see on tv, I found it at Walmart in a yellow box. Worked pretty well, the top shined up nicely. Had to do that a few times a year to maintain the shine. Man did it look good when it was fresh! Hope this helps!
2
Hi Smartiez,
I had the same problem. Searched forums but didn't found solution other than buy a new roof. My smart fortwo is from 2008, didn't want to spend a lot of money.
It is a clearcoat peeling problem. I tried to repair it myself, turned out great. Isn't perfect, I can spot imperfections, but I was not expecting 100% perfection. Car seems new again. I attached before and after photos. In the after photos, the white of the roof is roof reflecting the clouds.
![]()
![]()
I had the same problem. Searched forums but didn't found solution other than buy a new roof. My smart fortwo is from 2008, didn't want to spend a lot of money.
It is a clearcoat peeling problem. I tried to repair it myself, turned out great. Isn't perfect, I can spot imperfections, but I was not expecting 100% perfection. Car seems new again. I attached before and after photos. In the after photos, the white of the roof is roof reflecting the clouds.
5
Smart fortwo roof repair
Of course, I usually visit this forum but never registered until now. Sorry my english.
Basically what I used:
1500P Wetsand paper (with a pad)
Spray Max 2K clearcoat (1 can, must be 2K, regular clearcoat can not handle environment to which the car is exposed)
3M mask respirator (mandatory - 2K clearcoat is dangerous, cancer alert)
Garage (for painting without debris sticking to roof)
Secondary stuff:
3M blue scotch masking tape
Fiber towels
Alcohol (prefer Isopropyl alcohol)
Dishwasher detergent
Plastic bags (for covering)
Water sprinkler
1 - Went to a pressure washer and cleaned the roof, trying to remove flaking clearcoat the maximum as possible
2 - Washed the roof with dishwasher to remove any grease
3 - After drying, mask the tridion cell/window with blue scotch masking tape
4 - While using water sprinkler, hand sanding the clearcoat with the 1500P wetsand paper
![]()
![]()
You will notice clearcoat debris on the water. I expected removing clearcoat and begin to see paint. As Miss Mercedes said, seems that the tinting on these roofs aren't a film, but rather the roof itself is formulated partially tinted. If I knew that, I sanded some spots with P1000 and P1500 after for a perfect job.
5 - Clean surface very well and let it dry.
6 - Mask every inch of your car, i mean every inch! This 2k clearcoat is powerful. I notice one bit of a panel with plastic covering but not making contact with, and clearcoat particles got underneath the plastic.
![]()
7 - Spray it with 2K clearcoat. I did 2 coats. Paint lines overlapping 50% of the previous line. Always begin spraying outside of the panel. For this I recommend seeing this youtube videos youtu.be/7AJ1JVl7yTY?t=18m30s youtu.be/lbSIjsUeWZQ and youtu.be/M_v8qPqPmr0
8 - Let it dry minimum 1 day in garage. Don't put WAX nor polish in the next month, let the clearcoat cure.
FINISH
![]()
Imperfections.
At closer eye and with right angle you can spot a line of a previous clearcoat in front. If were today, I sanded this part first with P1000 then P1500
![]()
Of course, I usually visit this forum but never registered until now. Sorry my english.
Basically what I used:
1500P Wetsand paper (with a pad)
Spray Max 2K clearcoat (1 can, must be 2K, regular clearcoat can not handle environment to which the car is exposed)
3M mask respirator (mandatory - 2K clearcoat is dangerous, cancer alert)
Garage (for painting without debris sticking to roof)
Secondary stuff:
3M blue scotch masking tape
Fiber towels
Alcohol (prefer Isopropyl alcohol)
Dishwasher detergent
Plastic bags (for covering)
Water sprinkler
1 - Went to a pressure washer and cleaned the roof, trying to remove flaking clearcoat the maximum as possible
2 - Washed the roof with dishwasher to remove any grease
3 - After drying, mask the tridion cell/window with blue scotch masking tape
4 - While using water sprinkler, hand sanding the clearcoat with the 1500P wetsand paper
You will notice clearcoat debris on the water. I expected removing clearcoat and begin to see paint. As Miss Mercedes said, seems that the tinting on these roofs aren't a film, but rather the roof itself is formulated partially tinted. If I knew that, I sanded some spots with P1000 and P1500 after for a perfect job.
5 - Clean surface very well and let it dry.
6 - Mask every inch of your car, i mean every inch! This 2k clearcoat is powerful. I notice one bit of a panel with plastic covering but not making contact with, and clearcoat particles got underneath the plastic.
7 - Spray it with 2K clearcoat. I did 2 coats. Paint lines overlapping 50% of the previous line. Always begin spraying outside of the panel. For this I recommend seeing this youtube videos youtu.be/7AJ1JVl7yTY?t=18m30s youtu.be/lbSIjsUeWZQ and youtu.be/M_v8qPqPmr0
8 - Let it dry minimum 1 day in garage. Don't put WAX nor polish in the next month, let the clearcoat cure.
FINISH
Imperfections.
At closer eye and with right angle you can spot a line of a previous clearcoat in front. If were today, I sanded this part first with P1000 then P1500
smark, I have the kits you said.
I don't recomend electric buffer for sanding for someone without experience. It is very easy to make a mistake. If you do it on one spot a little too much you can "melt" the plastic. Hand sand is easy and safe, simple more time.
I forgot to said, I did repair the headlights too, turn out great.
Hand wet sand it P800, P1000 and P1500 and clearcoated with 2K clearcoat. Unfortunately don't have a before photo.
![]()
There is the another method, sand P800, P1500, P3000 and polish with plastic polish. Then wax it every 6 months.
I don't recomend electric buffer for sanding for someone without experience. It is very easy to make a mistake. If you do it on one spot a little too much you can "melt" the plastic. Hand sand is easy and safe, simple more time.
I forgot to said, I did repair the headlights too, turn out great.
Hand wet sand it P800, P1000 and P1500 and clearcoated with 2K clearcoat. Unfortunately don't have a before photo.
There is the another method, sand P800, P1500, P3000 and polish with plastic polish. Then wax it every 6 months.
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