ORB 227 1 Cars Posted July 7, 2011 Well, my GTi's roof really let's it down, a dent, some scratches and a LOAD of fading and laquer peel. So, I thought this morning I would have a bash at sorting it. Started by attacking it with some 240 grit to cut away all of the crap Then a spot of filler skimmed across the damaged bits to level it up. You can't see tge filler but it's the three patches near the sunroof. (cut back again with 240) Blow off with air line then a wipe with some pannel wipe and on with the first coat. Another coat, I then cut back with 2000 grit, panel wipe and dry Some more paint: Now, inside for a coffee and leave it for the day to harden. Then I'll cut it back and take the next steps!! As you can tell, I am bored hence photographing such a simple project. On a side note, I snapped the thread on one of the sun roof trim retaining screws at the back near the boot. Any tips for a repair? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pugpete1108 62 1 Cars Posted July 7, 2011 i need to do this on mine but i also have peel on the front above the windscreen. how does the trim come off? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ORB 227 1 Cars Posted July 7, 2011 Quite easy really. Remove the interior light housing. Take out the two screws that are on the left and right of the handle. Slide the front trim forward to wards the screen and the sides slide back to the boot lid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daviewonder 533 3 Cars Posted July 7, 2011 Did you use rattle cans? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ORB 227 1 Cars Posted July 7, 2011 Yeah, but only because I have some P3XY left over from another project. Normally bust out the compressor but not this time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fox 3 Posted July 7, 2011 Nice. Nothing wrong with rattle cans if you know what your doing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ORB 227 1 Cars Posted July 7, 2011 Yeah, rattle cans are easy enough to use, I always find that you get a good finish if you use a little more paint per coat than with a gun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ORB 227 1 Cars Posted July 7, 2011 Final coat and a ton of clear. Just needs to harden off for a day or two and cut it back to perfection. Total cost - 13 quid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daviewonder 533 3 Cars Posted July 7, 2011 I wish I had the balls to attempt doing the roof on mine. Can't imagine for a second it would turn as good as yours though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ORB 227 1 Cars Posted July 7, 2011 Dave, in every amount of seriousness it is VERY easy. It's all about being methodical. A lot of the guides on the web are crap, painting with a rattle can is very easy as long as you prep properly. Most people ruin it by trying to paint perfection, it all cones together right at the end when you t-cut it back and get the final result. Laquer is clever stuff too, it hides so much! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
feb 47 Posted July 7, 2011 Great work there, no point respraying the whole car when it has turned as good as it has! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daviewonder 533 3 Cars Posted July 7, 2011 Dave, in every amount of seriousness it is VERY easy. It's all about being methodical. A lot of the guides on the web are crap, painting with a rattle can is very easy as long as you prep properly. Most people ruin it by trying to paint perfection, it all cones together right at the end when you t-cut it back and get the final result. Laquer is clever stuff too, it hides so much! How does it look where it blends into the other paint? any tips? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ORB 227 1 Cars Posted July 7, 2011 Looks good! 800 grit, 1200 grit then 2000, followed by cutting compound and then super resin polish! Truth is, it only blends for about 20mm behind the sunroof trim so not much work at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smithy 1 Posted July 8, 2011 I wish I had the balls to attempt doing the roof on mine. Can't imagine for a second it would turn as good as yours though. the trick with painting is all in the prep work making sure everything is surgically clean. when applying the paint the trick i find is not trying to apply too much paint in one go lots of light coats are the key to avoid getting runs etc. best thing to do is practice on an old panel from a scrapper with some cheap rattle cans until you get the confidence to have a crack on the car. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonny Shu 0 Posted October 9, 2011 Looks great from the pictures, have you got any more that show how it blends with the rest of the body? My roof is going to need doing and I've been quoted £150 a panel by a friend who owns a body shop so it would be great if I was able to do a good job myself. Does anyone know if you are able to get rattle cans of decent anthracite grey that would blend nicely with the standard colour? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ORB 227 1 Cars Posted October 9, 2011 I don't have any further pics. This should give you an idea as to the general theme of the car: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonny Shu 0 Posted October 10, 2011 Not that I can see much of the roof in that picture but the car looks very nice indeed! If I decide to give the repainting a go myself I will be sure to send you a message. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueBolt 156 Posted October 10, 2011 That really does look great!!! I've got a car i'm breaking at the moment, may need to grab the brinder at some point, take out a few pannels before I send the shell to be crushed so I can get some practise in... One of them jobs I always fear and end up paying someone else loads of money to do for me....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
