Roof Paint Oxidation

[ice15]

I've noticed that taller vehicles (Vans/SUVs) often have severe paint fading on the roof while the rest of the car looks fine. Case in point: a Montero I saw today with a pristine hood but a trashed roof.

Is this mainly due to poor maintenance (car wash staff not being able to reach/dry the top) or just constant sun exposure? Any insights?

[oj88]

It probably comes down to variances in paint thickness, age, and exposure time. For example, if the roof part is still has the original paint while the hood panel has since been repaired and/or repainted, then it stands to reason that the roof part with the older paint will be the first to fade.

Another factor could be the way it was parked in relation to the angle of the sun, the time of day, etc. Maybe the hood is somehow shaded by a tree while the rest of the vehicle is fully exposed.

I've also seen vehicles with faded hood compared to the rest of the body... probably caused by combining the heat from the engine and the sun.

[Miles_on]

The roof is the part of the vehicle most exposed to the sun, angle wise, even more than the hood & windshield.

Another thing is the color - shades of red are the most vulnerable to UV damage over time.

[bxr monkey]

Puwede din since mataas ang roof, bihira napupunasan. Tumatagal ang corrosive dirt.

[dr. d]

my guess is,
the roof gets the brunt of heat and UV radiation, as well as minimalized cleaning of retained water, i.e., the remaining precipitates conspire to fade the paint.

also, the color red is notorious for being one of the most fade-iceous colors. and when it fades, unlike some colors, it is so very obvious.

[Motortrend]

Looks like the roof was used to transport stuff.

[Dr.Kamiya]

I second the motion on the roof being cleaned less often thus leaving corrosive dirt. The sun is 149.6 million km away. I doubt the extra half meter distance separating the hood from the roof makes a difference.

I notice this in my own behaviour. I see bird poop or tree sap on the hood, I wipe it. The roof? Out of sight, out of mind.

[ice15]

I notice this in my own behaviour. I see bird poop or tree sap on the hood, I wipe it. The roof? Out of sight, out of mind.

kaya minsan, naiisip ko, what if pa PPF ko yung roof and hood lang...

then I saw videos of PPF being removed after 3-4 years and malaki pala chance na masira yung paint if NOT done correctly.

[oj88]

I'm more inclined to PPF the front and rear bumpers.... make it kamote-proof, somewhat.

[Miles_on]

I'm more inclined to PPF the front and rear bumpers.... make it kamote-proof, somewhat.

Hindi rin. My garage queens have accumulated a few "door dings" (dimples) on the sides from people who carelessly open car doors in the parking lot.
Yung isa, na-ipotan pala ng ibon sa bubong that I didn't notice and was left on for over a week. Meron tuloy "sunog" na area sa roof (2 coats of wax notwithstanding- it was simply left on too long)
Then of course, there are the reckless 2 wheelers that weave around you while stopped for the traffic lights, so some have small nicks in the front and rear bumpers...

I don't see how any PPF can protect against that? :P

[oj88]

Hindi rin. My garage queens have accumulated a few "door dings" (dimples) on the sides from people who carelessly open car doors in the parking lot.
Yung isa, na-ipotan pala ng ibon sa bubong that I didn't notice and was left on for over a week. Meron tuloy "sunog" na area sa roof (2 coats of wax notwithstanding- it was simply left on too long)
Then of course, there are the reckless 2 wheelers that weave around you while stopped for the traffic lights, so some have small nicks in the front and rear bumpers...

I don't see how any PPF can protect against that? :P

I think this is mostly case‑to‑case and depends on one’s specific route. My vehicle’s 'first blood' came when it was sideswiped from the left rear by a motorcycle. I was completely stopped at a light, but the rider was probably anxious to get ahead. His hard‑case adventure saddlebags clipped my rear bumper. Below are the before‑and‑after shots:



A few months later, almost the exact thing happened again but on the right rear corner. This time, a spare helmet slung on the side of an MC struck my bumper. I don’t have photos of that incident, but fortunately both paint transfers were buffed out.

Coincidentally, I discovered that I can keep the rear corner sensors active even when the vehicle isn’t in Reverse. That way, I get a proximity warning if something is close. For the sensor to give a continuous tone, the motorcycle in the video is less than 35 cm (14") from my bumper. My usual response is to inch forward if I still have space in front until the beeping stops.



All this to say that statistically, at least in my experience, the bumpers (particularly the corners) are the highest‑risk areas on my vehicle.