# Roof has rust spots and oxidation **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [November 13, 2024, 2:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015 "2024-11-13T02:06:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 2:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/1 "2024-11-13T02:06:26Z")
2010 Corolla with 140k. Currently driven between 5k and 10k per year. Plan on keeping for another 3yrs. Roof has oxidation. Then there are tiny rust spots - size of a dot but a cluster of them at sections… I have used Sysmax’s clear coat on oxidation issues with good results. But the tiny rust spots are concern - went to Maaco. They quoted me $700. They said they will strip to the metal, primer, sealer, 2 coats of base + 2 coats of clear. Other alternative might be I find the right primer and base. I won’t sand it to metal but will pay attention to the rusty spots. Or find other mobile service to treat the rust and apply primer. Then take it from there with Base and clear. If there are any paint experts with experience, pls share your thoughts and pls give me some options to proceed. ![20241109_1053031](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/0/c06cf6aaf37f2b1325df8ca29f2a56d9ccaf4743.jpeg) ![20241109_1053211](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/0/c0280385bd577f3b13a9aaeaef619e63bf586296.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 2:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/2 "2024-11-13T02:14:43Z")
Given the amount of work to do it properly, $700 doesn’t sound too bad a price. But that is well and truly roached. Give up. the rust likely won’t form holes for about 2-3 years. Likely the car won’t last much longer than 18 years. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 2:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/3 "2024-11-13T02:15:23Z")
> [@sciconf](#): > > Plan on keeping for another 3yrs. Just keep driving it. It’ll take longer than that before the rust causes leaks in the roof. Tester ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 2:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/4 "2024-11-13T02:25:12Z")
Sand blast or remove the rust but epoxy primer is the best. Not cheap. But agree for three years don’t worry about it and just wax. The worst I’ve had is the hidden channel under the windshield. You DON’T know it until the rain drips in. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 2:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/5 "2024-11-13T02:38:55Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > Given the amount of work to do it properly, $700 doesn’t sound too bad a price. > But that is well and truly roached. Give up. the rust likely won’t form holes for about 2-3 years. Likely the car won’t last much longer than 18 years. I posted photos. Would Sysmax’s clear coat help? Does it need primer and base? This is assuming my kid want better look and gives us some assurance since we treated the rust issue. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 2:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/6 "2024-11-13T02:47:09Z")
The only thing that will buy you time for 3 years with that rust is, pour some FlexSeal Liquid on the roof, and try to smooth it out so it looks like a vinyl top. Tester ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 2:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/7 "2024-11-13T02:47:13Z")
> [@bing](#): > > Sand blast or remove the rust but epoxy primer is the best. Not cheap. But agree for three years don’t worry about it and just wax. The worst I’ve had is the hidden channel under the windshield. You DON’T know it until the rain drips in. Are you are saying: - sand the rust and use - epoxy primer [Amazon.com: SprayMax 2K Activated EPOXY Primer Black 3680034 : Automotive](https://www.amazon.com/SprayMax-Activated-EPOXY-Primer-3680034/dp/B07CXPQ814/) - base - clear ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 4:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/8 "2024-11-13T04:46:48Z")
> [@Tester](#): > > Just keep driving it. > > It’ll take longer than that before the rust causes leaks in the roof. > > Tester What he said. But you keep going on about it. So do you also just want to make it look better? If you ignore it and spend ZERO dollars, you’ve got a lot more than 3 years. But if you want it to look better, then just decide. Like @Mustangman said $700 sounds pretty reasonable. But since you didn’t like that either, give it cleaning and a quick sanding. Spray a coat of rusty metal primer (of any kind on it). Get a can of paint mixed to your paint code. I have a NAPA shop near me that will do them to order or you can find them retail. Hit it. Throw some clear coat on top. It won’t be “great” (depending on how sloppy you are), but your grandkids will still be able to use the dumb thing if some rust spots on the roof is the whole concern. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 2:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/9 "2024-11-13T14:06:32Z")
I did a web search for Sysmax and got no hits. If you mean Spray Max, it’s an acrylic resin with no rust inhibitors. IMO you should remove the loose rust, spray with a rust inhibiting primer, then spray a top coat over the primer if you like. Rattle can sprays might be your best alternative for this old car. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 2:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/10 "2024-11-13T14:13:47Z")
> [@Tester](#): > > FlexSeal Liquid Have you used that stuff? I bought a gallon some years back as a cheap and easy alternative to sealing a fort roof for my son. OMG, that stuff reeks!! Some really nasty material that is extremely difficult to clean up anything it comes in contact with. I still have 1/2 a gallon and trying to figure out how to dispose of it…OP just tell me where to send it 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/11 "2024-11-13T14:32:57Z")
I think I would go with a roll on pickup truck bed liner for a faux vinyl top. But, on a 15 year old car, with typical clear coat deterioration, I would just hand sand, just to the point of removing rust. Then spray with rattle cans. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 1:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/12 "2024-11-15T01:18:03Z")
> [@cigroller](#): > > I have a NAPA shop near me that will do them to order or you can find them retail. In a rattle can? ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 1:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/13 "2024-11-15T01:18:57Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > rust inhibiting primer Recommendation for a product? Yes Spray Max, sorry ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 1:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/14 "2024-11-15T01:24:26Z")
> [@sciconf](#): > > > [@cigroller](#): > > > > I have a NAPA shop near me that will do them to order or you can find them retail. > > In a rattle can? Yes. In a rattle can. I can’t say that all NAPA stores do that. But mine does. And pretty much all AP stores also have color matched cans from “Dupli-Color” (limited selection, usually). Your paint code is on a label - maybe on the driver’s door pillar, or sometimes on the glove box door. Web-search for your location. Of course, this car is old/faded, and these matches won’t be perfect even if new. So you don’t expect perfection. But on older cars that don’t need to be perfect - good enough and a “can’t see it from my house” kind of thing. Cheap but pretty easy if you watch a few videos about how not to make a complete mess. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 1:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/15 "2024-11-15T01:27:08Z")
How many cans of paint is needed for this car for one coat? BTW, primer is just one coat? Everything else is 2 or 3 coats? ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 1:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/roof-has-rust-spots-and-oxidation/198015/16 "2024-11-15T13:52:31Z")
Primers are one coat and they are thin. They aren’t there to look good, only to provide a surface for the paint to stick to. Just make sure you can’t see metal and the primer will be thick enough.