Print

[cheapshots]

Hi guys, washed my forfour today and the thin plastic layer on the roof started to peel

It's also bubbling in other places

Attached is a picture - any idea how best to tackle this? Or do I just leave it alone and trick myself into thinking it's not noticeable!

Apologies - the picture needs to be rotated 90 degrees clockwise but it won't let me.

[Ocracoke]

The material used on the 454 Pulse roof is the same as that on the 450 Pure trim level, like my 2002 City-Coupe. Trouble is, a nick in the layer and water gets in, causes the glue underneath to let go and then it cascades into the surrounding areas when the area has come off.

Personally, I encouraged it to peel by picking it off gradually over time and then I intend to either paint it or wrap it in a thicker vinyl. You could leave it as is once it has ex-foliated, it won't pose a problem in doing so, just look worn.

[cheapshots]

Thanks for that. Well I have no choice but to watch and wait for it to fully peel. I think then I'll paint it, like you suggested :-)

[Deszus]

Don't use chemically stripper as they may damage plastic.
I would pick heat gun on medium heat, peel vinyl off, clean with IPA and stick high quality carbon vinyl.

Results would be stunning.

[Ocracoke]

You mean Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)? I'd possibly agree as preperation but I wouldn't agitate the existing vinyl with a heatgun. Move too slowly and the plastic will distort.

The sheer size of the roof is going to be another issue. On the City-Coupe, this wouldn't be as big an issue but the ForFour roof makes a one piece application of vinyl extremely tricky to do. If I was covering the roof, I'd get it done by someone who has the equipment/environment to do so.

Painting would also run into the same issue and done in situ, you'd have to be dead certain that you've covered everything first.

[Deszus]

Yup, isopropyl alcohol. Keeping in mind size I think the same. I won't be easy job to do.

I have seen your 44 thread Ocracoke. Have a nice ForFour there! How the vinyl on the car? Having no issues with it?

[Ocracoke]

Thanks, the vinyl is holding up OK. Couple of marks here and there (one I am sure from a unscrupulous youth I am sure) but nothing that can't be cleaned out. It has lifted on the edges in a couple of places but that is to be expected and it isn't anywhere where you can really see it without really getting up close and personal with it.

This edging issue is something to consider if the roof is to be wrapped as well however, if the roof is well cleaned beforehand, I doubt it will be an issue. Painting, of course, won't have that edging issue but it would need to be done properly otherwise it will look patchy (the layer underneath the vinyl is textured I think?) The flipside, of course, is that painting it will fix that issue once and for all.

[CrazyG]

The polycarbonate roof tends to 'layer' when it peels...
in other words when the 'top' one lifts, cracks and peels then
it reveals another layer...and that can then do the same.
It's usually started by small stones that are lifted up by the tyres
of the car in front of you that then 'ping' the surface. The stones;
like to holes/scratches they create are so tiny that you won't see
them unless you have very keen eyesight or a magnifying glass.
Water then seeps in and thats when the glue between the layers
deteriorates and eventually lets the layers separate.

The roof on the S2smarts 450 courtesy car has already 'peeled'
off more than one layer, and not a complete layer either !
In fact about 3 layers in various states of lifting and peeling ! !

I tend to think that painting would be THE answer, as the
polycarbonate is a textured/dimpled finish, so paint will cover
and fill in those irregularities. Vinyl on the other hand will always
tend to have some shrinkage over time; as well as having
a limited lifetime of something like about 4 years max; and as
Ocracoke has already said, there is already some 'edge' peeling
even on his car which was vinyl wrapped not too long ago.

[Deszus]

I have fixed plastic roof. Is it hard to remove it for painting?

[CrazyG]

I should have been more specifc in my last reply...
The fixed 'solid' style roof is an opaque black polycarbonate.

And in reply to your question...In a word the answer is ....YES.
Not impossible, if you are a windscreen fitter with experience .

It is bonded to the body frame with the same type of stuff that
is used to fix/hold the front and rear windscreens in place.
(The rear edge 'join' is bonded at about 3 inches from the back)

If one REALLY wanted to remove it, then you would need
one of those 'special' cord saws that windscreen fitters use
to cut through that bonding sealant. However...to get to that
point you would first have to remove all the interior roof panelling
so that you had clear unhindered access to use that cutting cord.

[Deszus]

Nothing impossible but that one doesn't worth effort. Thanks for info G.

Is there anything that you really don't know about ForFour? 

[CrazyG]

...
Is there anything that you really don't know about ForFour? 

Lots...believe me, lots. 

[Alex]

You can peel it back one layer. It's like an onion, i peeled mine a few years ago and it's still ok, hasn't started peeling again.

[El Tel]

Could it be the hot/cold/dry/wet weather cycle causes this peeling? All the Forfours I've seen in Spain, including my own, the roofs are all perfect.

Funnily enough, we've got all the sun we need over here yet sunroofs and panoramic roofs are rare to find on any make or model of car. People prefer to drive in the shade. Paint fade is the biggest issue when parking on the street (in the sun) so I was pretty pleased my roof was polycarb.

[Ocracoke]

Could it be the hot/cold/dry/wet weather cycle causes this peeling? All the Forfours I've seen in Spain, including my own, the roofs are all perfect.

I don't believe so. My friend who has a accident damaged ForFour has a solid roof and his is immaculate (shame about the rest of the car) but I am open to the idea.