Roof paint help

here is the current situation with my roof about to use some Rustoleum flex paint to paint it all and then use the clear coat. Don't want to do it this way but I don't want the roof to start rusting and I don't have the funds to get it painted right now. Any tips of prepping the surface! Was think of just using the blue dawn to wash it and then start spraying.

 

https://youtu.be/ig4jbcU9db0

 

It's completely bleached from this desert sun. Sucks

 

damn man that sucks.
cant believe it how bad it is...

 

Id be doing a little more prep work if I were you. At minimum clay job, a light polish to even/clean the surface, and then an isopropyl wipe down before topping it with a clear.

Paints don't like to go down on a dirty surface. And dawn won't do much on its own.

 

If you don't wanna spend the money on clay, get a cheapo rubbing compound like #7 and just clean it up a bit. Follow with dawn, Then a $.99 bottle of isopropyl alcohol to remove residue? I'm not a pro or anything. Just a guess. But I know paint likes a clean surface.

 

Word. I have a clay bar kit I can use. I'll do that as well before spraying

 

I wouldn't skimp on the alcohol wipe down. Dawn has surfactants in it that can/will remain on the paint and can affect adhesion.

 

I don't feel like a clay bar will help that. If you do use a clay bar you might as well throw it in the trash when your done with it. Probably be better off with some Scotts sanding pads..... Maybe even a DA on that rough sob.

 

Clay won't do much of anything aside from removing some above surface bonded contaminants. Mayen even some flakes/residue of old clear coat. I just think it's good to get as much of that stuff off before doing anything else. Because- Why not.

 

Here's what I would do: sand the roof with 320 wet. Personally, I'd feather the chips and scratches. Wash it, wipe it down with some lacquer thinner. Tape and paper along the roof trim, windshield and rear window. Cover everything else with plastic - getting overspray off sucks. Prime where you go to bare metal, paint and clear. Don't know your budget but there's a clear that is 2k urethane based in a spray can called spray max. You punch a pin and mix the 2 parts, then spray. It has a pit life of about 24hrs before the clear will harden in the can. They also make a primer. Some auto paint supply jobbers will also mix paint in the correct color in a spray can for you.

 

Is that oem paint?

 

My car has the same problem. Can I spray clear coat to stop it from getting worse without doing any prep work?

 

You can but the clear won't stay long. If you want it to have chance you must prep the surface.

 

Thanks! Well, I am not planning to keep the car long-term so I just want to preserve its current conditions as much as possible for a better trade-in value.

Can I just do a car wash and then spray some clear coat over?

 

Good advice here. A good paint job is 90% prep and taking your time with the steps. Do it right or you're going to have to stare at an ugly, awful, failing paint job for as long as you own your truck.

 

Yeah it is.

 

If it were me I'd Dip it for now until I could afford to have the roof as well as the hood painted because I'd be willing to bet that's next.
That sucks man

 

I ended up wet sanding all the scratches and chips/cracks and cleaing the surface really well and then used the rustoleum flex paint followed with rustoleum flex paint clear coat. I went this route so that way when I do have the funds to paint it can just be peeled off. I mainly wanted to do it as fast as possible to prevent the exposed metal from rusting. That's why I went with the flex paint.

 

The Home Depot of plastidip, good call