Roof rust-like stains. What do you guys think?

[rmatarrita]

Hello dear community!

I searched for a similar post unsuccessfully so here it is: I'm having some dark brown stains in the roof of my 2003 E85. One seems to be right on top of a metal bar, the other is on the fold between the back windshield and the upper part of the roof.

What do you guys think? Could it be rust? Mold?
What would you suggest would be the best course of action?

And since we're at it, would you share your best maintenance tips for the roof? Some favorite products to use?

FYI, the car got a micro-ceramic polish treatment over a year ago that included the roof.

Thanks!

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[SonnyA85]

That doesn't look right at all. I would take to a roof expert if there is such a thing. My car sat on the drive for 2 years and it didn't look that bad at the top. It does look like rust seeping through. Mine was more covered in green stuff.

You may be better off getting a new roof from a breaker (there are a few on here post a wanted thread in the sale section) than trying to save this one.

The process for deep cleaning is;

1. Spray with sterilising fluid or milton tablets and let it soak for 5-10 mins
2. agitate with convertible / soft top brush in the bad areas
3. spray with All Purpose Cleaner (Surfex HD is my choice diluted 10:1)
4. agitate with brush
5. rinse thoroughly but safely (don't use a pressure washer at point blank range)
6. spray with soft top cleaner as an optional step, these smell nicer than APC's and have some algae killing in them depending on brand, etc.
7. agitate with brush
8. rinse again
9. wait until completely dry minimum 24 hours
10. revive / recolour roof using renovo reviver
11. wait until completely dry
12. seal using your choice of water repellant coating (fabsil, gyeon, meguiars or renovo)

someone has mentioned fabsil is potentially harmful to the roof but that is what i use to seal it.

you only need to do the above once a year. in-between those 12 months you simply vacuum the roof.

If it is rust I would replace the roof and not bother and just follow the above process on the new roof.

[buzyg]

Never seen that before.

[rmatarrita]

Thank you both for your replies!

[rmatarrita]

Thank you both for your replies!

[bg1]

Thank you both for your replies!

Any update from your end?

[rmatarrita]

Yes! I have an update! I removed the inner cover of the roof and realized that those 2 stains are from adhesive that dried, causing parts of the roof to move loosely, adding an extra load when opening/closing the roof. This made other pieces break. Long story short I replaced the whole roof.

Now I have a follow up question... the new roof was installed, and the driver door window is closing super tight, but the passenger window is not closing tight, it is loose, causing a lot of noise inside the car. Is there any adjustment that can be done in this regard?

[Doddsy]

Take a look at ZedforMe YouTube video he talks mainly about wind noise but might help in adjusting https://youtu.be/xLQ6VKx7_Fo?feature=shared

[rmatarrita]

Thanks a lot! I will definitely give those a try!

[TOMGREEN413]

New hood required looks like it's been eaten by a moth?

[rmatarrita]

I don't know what could have caused it, but the stain matches perfectly with the parts of the hard top where things are "glued", and they were loose because of this "drying out" of the adhesive.