Styling Black faded roof?

[bassman85]

I've recently bought a beats edition with the satin/matt finish paint. The black roof has faded and has obvious lines on it i guess from manufacturing and it's got a slight white colour in places. It's the one thing that let's it down tbh, just wondering if anyone has similar or had similar and have found a solution.
Thanks in advance

 

[Greasytrucker]

I've recently bought a beats edition with the satin/matt finish paint. The black roof has faded and has obvious lines on it i guess from manufacturing and it's got a slight white colour in places. It's the one thing that let's it down tbh, just wondering if anyone has similar or had similar and have found a solution.
Thanks in advance

Can you post some pictures (if a camera will pick it up). I’m sure somebody on here will have a useful suggestion if you can

 

[bassman85]

 

[Greasytrucker]

Oh dear, that does look sad Have you tried anything on it yet or is that as was?

 

[bassman85]

Oh dear, that does look sad Have you tried anything on it yet or is that as was?

Yeah it's not great, haven't tried anything on it as of yet. It is as it was when I bought it. Had thought t-cut it cutting compound and a polish or maybe some black trim restoration product?

 

[Greasytrucker]

I take it that it is painted then and not a vinyl wrap? Just looks a bit inconsistent for paint fade

 

[bassman85]

I take it that it is painted then and not a vinyl wrap? Just looks a bit inconsistent for paint fade

Yeah it's painted. I thought that with the lines and thought it was tape marks from a respray or something but have seen other beats editions with similar marks

 

[Greasytrucker]

As you said, think i’d be tempted to try some cutting polish on a corner to see if it brings it up at all. If so then you either carry on by hand or get hold of a buffing wheel which would quicken the process up no end. Nothing to lose by trying by the looks of it

 

[bassman85]

As you said, think i’d be tempted to try some cutting polish on a corner to see if it brings it up at all. If so then you either carry on by hand or get hold of a buffing wheel which would quicken the process up no end. Nothing to lose by trying by the looks of it

Quick question, is the satin/matte paint different to wash and look after? Would a cutting compound and polish alter the look?

 

[Greasytrucker]

Quick question, is the satin/matte paint different to wash and look after? Would a cutting compound and polish alter the look?

I doubt it would alter the look because in theory it should only be the clear coat that you’ll be cutting into

 

[simon_16vpunto]

View attachment 470196View attachment 470197

The first picture, the lines, i think I can actually explain.

I worked for Fiat when these were new. When the cars were delivered, they had a white protective wrap on the roof and bonnet to stop damage when being transported. On the 500L’s the tape that held the wrap on, was only around the edges, and they never come off in one go when you pulled the wrap off as the double sided tape become brittle and would never come off in one go- it used to drive the valeters mad because it had to be picked off bit by bit. I’ll bet some kind of chemical has been used on the roof to dissolve it, and through time it’s eaten into the paint..

(A brand new 500 for example was like a shrink wrap which clung to the car- these were a sort of breathable fabric material that were just stuck on around the edges, exactly like the marks in the photo)

 

[bassman85]

The first picture, the lines, i think I can actually explain.

I worked for Fiat when these were new. When the cars were delivered, they had a white protective wrap on the roof and bonnet to stop damage when being transported. On the 500L’s the tape that held the wrap on, was only around the edges, and they never come off in one go when you pulled the wrap off as the double sided tape become brittle and would never come off in one go- it used to drive the valeters mad because it had to be picked off bit by bit. I’ll bet some kind of chemical has been used on the roof to dissolve it, and through time it’s eaten into the paint..

(A brand new 500 for example was like a shrink wrap which clung to the car- these were a sort of breathable fabric material that were just stuck on around the edges, exactly like the marks in the photo)

That is an awesome answer, I never thought of that! I saw exactly the same on another beats edition I looked at too so yeah, you're probably bang on there mate.