For the first time, I washed the roof of my 2007 Freelander 2.
I've had the car two weeks and despite a couple of scuffs on the lower bodywork, the rest of the car is in really good nick.

However, on close inspection of the roof, I didn't have to look hard to see a few areas where the paint has cracked and peeled- reminiscent of cheap Citroen vans.
It seems to be deeper than just the lacquer too.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I am doubtful LR warranty will cover it- the car will be 10yrs old in January.

How much would a roof respray cost or would it be worth patching-up the small areas?
I'd hate to have a rusty roof... "We're in danger, we've got to get out."
"What are you talking about?"
"I've been called a ponce."

I've had the car two weeks ?

Take it back and ask for it the be dealt with or reject it. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

I wouldn't want to do that.

I travelled over 100 miles to view and then collect it.
It was a case of right car, right price.
Actually, it came from a small dealer- very pleasant, honest sort of chap too.

The rest of the car is fine- receipts and service book show it has been looked after.
No rust or neglected bodywork apart from the chips/scratches I knew about, and the roof wasn't even that dirty when I cleaned it (a little black dust in the troughs- nothing too heavy) but the cracking/peeling is in a few areas all over the roof. "We're in danger, we've got to get out."
"What are you talking about?"
"I've been called a ponce."

With all due respect then I suggest you pay to have it corrected at a body shop of your choice to your full satisfaction. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

definitely not a common issue on the forum.

could it have been caused by a roof rack?

does the bonnet appear ok?

Iain

Bonnet is fine- so is the rest of the car.
A few stone chips, but no rust. No cracking/peeling anywhere else- just on the roof.
I've seen similar effects on Citroen vans (vans having more of a hard life and less lacquer on top).

It's mainly small areas- the size of a large coin or similar area. Definitely NOT impact or scrape marks though- this looks heat/sun/chemical related. "We're in danger, we've got to get out."
"What are you talking about?"
"I've been called a ponce."

Sounds like bird crap not cleaned off quick enough.

Dave DAVE.

I know sometimes darker colours get that swirly/bubbly effect in the lacquer after bird poo has been left to bake in the sun- that happened to my old black Audi A3 (black being ridiculously hot in the sun!)
While I wouldn't rule this out, surely it wouldn't crack the paint so bad would it?

These are cracks rather than bubbles and appear to go right through the topcoat colour. "We're in danger, we've got to get out."
"What are you talking about?"
"I've been called a ponce."

Sounds like something acidic has eaten through the lacquer,
I would suggest fallout from some sort of industrial unit but you say it's not on the bonnet!
Dave DAVE.

Either that, or the previous owner perhaps didn't spend a lot of time cleaning the roof and so this is the result of neglect.
Admittedly, it's a pain to reach- I had to use a chair to stand on- but it is still as important as the rest of the car.

Now, regarding a repaint...
What sort of prices should I expect- I'm not sure if the patches just need repainting, or whether the whole roof needs to be done. "We're in danger, we've got to get out."
"What are you talking about?"
"I've been called a ponce."

I'd have a look at Chipsaway - I know they have had a mixed press on here but Gordon from Cambridge recently did a good job for me, and a lot cheaper than bodyshop. Ex AA Series III LWB Safari - Gone
300TDi Disco (bought new - terrible car) sent back after 18 months
Freelander 1 Estate - leased, given back at end of lease
200TDi Disco (bought from a mate with 100,000 on the clock) - Gone
Disco 2 TD5 - sold and exported to France
FR2 TD4 GS - Gone
FR2 SD4 HSE - Now changed for a DS
New model ex-demo Evoque S 180 in white
Unable to order a new DS, so gave up. Now have a Volvo S90 Recharge.

My first thought was actually 'ChipsAway'.

What are their prices like?
I have a body shop not too far away from me, but don't know which would cost more.
I guess I'd better ask for a few quotes... "We're in danger, we've got to get out."
"What are you talking about?"
"I've been called a ponce."

chipsaway may be able to patch the paint rather than do the whole roof. They will also come to your premises. In my case, the bodyshops would have removed a lot of trim and shaded the respray into surrounding paint, but Gordon was able simply to respray the door, which was much cheaper, and the match is perfect. It does depend on colour etc, but the roof is not very visible anyway. Ex AA Series III LWB Safari - Gone
300TDi Disco (bought new - terrible car) sent back after 18 months
Freelander 1 Estate - leased, given back at end of lease
200TDi Disco (bought from a mate with 100,000 on the clock) - Gone
Disco 2 TD5 - sold and exported to France
FR2 TD4 GS - Gone
FR2 SD4 HSE - Now changed for a DS
New model ex-demo Evoque S 180 in white
Unable to order a new DS, so gave up. Now have a Volvo S90 Recharge.

I would attempt it myself, but i can look directly onto the roof from my upstairs window and it'd annoy me if I did a bad job.

And for the record, my colour is Stornoway Grey.

Out of interest, how much did you pay for your ChipsAway work? "We're in danger, we've got to get out."
"What are you talking about?"
"I've been called a ponce."

Last edited by Lord Rich Tea Biscuit on 27th Sep 2016 8:15 pm. Edited 2 times in total

chipsaway - a bloke who has been on a 2 week training course

bodyshop - apprentice trained bodywork sprayer

I know who i would go for

In the past i have seen chips away's work and it was shocking, i used a smart repair chap, who was an experienced apprentice trained bodyshop guy who was going alone mobile (he also had a large garage spray booth) and the job was faultless Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis