300D Paint Peeling? Hmmm
 

So at some point in my 300D's life...the car was repainted. It was not a very good repair, but acceptable. There are a few spots that could have been done better..but oh well.

One spot I noticed today was the sunroof...I have one corner peeling...I am not sure what I can do about it.

It looks like the old factory paint might actually be under there still? ...

I need to replace the lift arms in the sunroof itself....Do you think it would be a good idea to:

1)just take that panel out..
2) replace the arms
3) have the panel repainted
4) replace that seal?

http://i.imgur.com/tUn6VTgl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QPHbhuOl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/yEyEz0Xl.jpg

Low or no adhesion. Either too cold when painted or something else. Really should strip the panel when off and do it again. Could be things like the original clear coat separating or some person painted the car without sanding it well if at all. Or there were contaminates on the original finish not removed.r

I preffer chemical strippers as heat and warpage can result from using abrasive methods.

The thin metals used today on many newer cars make virtually no other option than chemical stripping possible other than replacement. At least your car has some reasonable gauge to the metal.

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes

To me it looks like to corner is bent.

Remove the panel, have it painted. It`s more work when doing a complete repaint for sure, but soon as the roof is opened, the paint seal between the lid and rubber seal will now have a broken edge to eventually start chipping off. It also looks like crap with paint on the seals.

The front seal is the fun one. :rolleyes: Take some pictures as to how it goes back into the groove. when replacing it I used some Silicone spray on the rubber.

First time I really didn`t think about it being troublesome to get back in, and I ripped it out. Then after fighting it for a while, I took it down to a Indy. After the sticker shock wore off for what he charged, and I came to, I said that ain`t happenin again.

Start in the center and work both ways.

Charlie

X2

X3. And go buy a Mac.

Would it make any sense to acquire another panel from a 124 parts car..and have that painted to match? Seeing as perhaps mine is bent in one corner?

Or is that bending a result of a broken lift arm not fully supporting a side of the panel? Or do those arms ONLY lift?

If cheap enough you might source a sunroof panel at a pick and pull type of operation. I do not think the paint should have separated like it has even with a bend.

Cracked etc. I would have understood. If there is no factory primer left under the lifted paint portion it may not have been a repaint fault.

Just poor adhesion of the original primer in general. Or if there had been some rust in that area before the repaint. They may not have prepped the bare metal properly after removing the rust in that area before respraying.

I'm going to go with lack of prep work. There are a number of spots on the car that indicate that.

How easy/difficult is it to remove the sunroof panel on a 124?

I have never worked on a 124, buy yeah, get another panel and have it painted. a JY Panel probably cost around $20.

No, I can`t see how the lift arms would bend the corner like that. more likely something hit it or it was out before and was dropped on the corner?


Charlie