Paint the roof

[TrexRunnerGirl]

I decided to climb up to investigate the roof of the Runner. Found this which is sticky and rust like.
I scrubbed it off but think I screwed up the paint or whatever that was did.
No more shiny.
Before n after pics.

I was thinking I could do a gloss Rustoleum on it to protect it before I put the luggage bars back.

Anyone ever do this?
Would it be better to have a Maaco paint job done?
Other ideas?

 

[MN4runnerman]

Don’t spray paint on it. You’ll need to cut and polish it using a high speed polisher. Use a cutting compound with a foam pad. Then use a wax with a different foam pad to bring the shine back.

 

[Unner]

This is one of those cases where I think in fact, it will buff out. I wouldn't paint it without trying that first.

What did you scrub the roof with?

 

[CamRunner]

You can clearly see that at the line between the glossy area and dull area that your clearcoat is gone. Best bet would be to either repaint or add a clearcoat paint only. Buffing will not work, although it may help it look shiner for a few months. No wax or polish can replace clearcoat.

Although, since it is on the roof under the rack, it is probably not worth the headache. Just let it go, add wax to help protect it from the sun and elements and move on.

 

[phattyduck]

If you really want to do it right, pull off the side rails while you are at it. Put a thread sealant on the rail screws (that go into the body) when you reassemble to avoid future leaks.

As others have said, get a good polishing done on that to see what is really going on below that build up before (possibly) painting.

-Charlie

 

[HiLife]

Your roof looked like ours when I first picked up our 4r in 2014.
I second the good polish method.
All I used was a Meguiars Ultamate clay bar, compound and polish with lots of elbow grease. Becareful not to go too far and go through the clear coat.
Im very happy with my results 3 year later.

 

[4runz]

Raptor lining!

 

[IBallEngineer]

The pictures are a little hard to see clearly, however the 2nd picture looks to me like the clearcoat is de-laminating. If you look to the right(the rear of the roof) you can see a pattern where shiny ends and dull begins. Again the pictures aren't very good, but if what I think I see is what I think it is, no amount of polishing will save you. It will need paint. You could scuff it and spray some kind of rattle can clear to protect it for a while, won't last too long though. Maaco is crap but cheap.

 

[TrexRunnerGirl]

y'all are correct. the clear coat is gone. I tried a kitchen sponge with light pressure and thus screwed it up but that stuff would not come off.

I was pondering doing a black coating on top as was suggested above like a Rhino lining. it might look kinda nice too and protect it.

or I may just go to Maaco or my locals to get it buffed out and clear coated.

I need one of those apps where you can change the colors to see what it would look like, but I"m beginning to dig a black roof.
:cheer2:

 

[etc.]

Matte black.

 

[the walrus]

A couple cans of black Plastidip would do the trick. Cheap, easy and removable if you decide one day you don't like it. Just mask off the area and go for it.

 

[Scramble]

Shoulda used something like Goo-Be-Gone with a scratch free cloth. (micro fiber). I wouldn't use black on the roof. Two-Tones should have the darker color on the bottom. I'd go White like an FJC or FJ40 or color match your paint.

 

[octanejunkie]

Unless you like it HOT, I would suggest white on top rather than black

I painted the roof of a dark grey astro van white years ago and it cut the temps in the van by a noticeable amount.

 

[Nervo19]

You didn't show a full picture of your vehicle so I'm not sure if it's something you want to spend money on. Clear coat can't be recoated or repaired. If cutting and buffing is not working sand off the peeling clear coat with 250 to 400 sandpaper and strip off whatever you don't need to drive it (roof rack etc,) and get it painted at Maaco. I got the mid range paint job during one of their sales a year ago. It cost about $750. Pictures in my thread. The key is to get all dirt and wax off it before taking it to them. Alternately, take off the rack and sand down to 400 grit and use factory color spray bombs from somewhere such as paintscratch.com.

 

[TrexRunnerGirl]

does this come in white?
Duh - my bad - I just looked and it comes in like 50 colors and CLEAR!