sl500 hardtop paint

[edhinho]

evening all
r129 `97 sl500 hardtop is showing signs of paint "bubbling" at the base of the 2 rear pillars. is the top steel or ally?
if it`s aluminium what is causing this and how do I rectify it?
regards
edhinho
ps no pics cos apparently its common and peeps will know what I`m talking about but will do some if needed.

 

[television]

They are all alli,,and trhey all go on those 2 rear corners.

If you are having them re painted then they must be etched primed

 

[edhinho]

sl500 hardtop

thanks for your instant reply - as usual, malcom.
how far should the "bubbly bits" be removed, in terms of distance from problem. i assume taking back to bare metal is neccesary.
how does the problem start, why that particular spot, and how do you prevent it?
i appreciate she`s 12 years old (and still beautiful) but there is not a problem anywhere else......touch wood!

 

[brianbrian]

Thankyou for that Malcom I did not no that the hard tops were alli as I have a couple of bubbles in the same place,

 

[television]

It can start in 2 ways,, on thje car the water can just sit under those parts,and this starts it off,, or standing off the car on a blanket on concrete.

With alli the paint must be cleaned off to get to a bright area,,any metal with holes and the white powder in the holes is no good, a wire brush is good fo this.

When the bare parts are painted with the acid etch paint,,,this must not be sanded down and it is better to apply a guide coat of another colour on top of the acid etch primmer, so that you know when to stop sanding. when all flat,then normal car paints can be used or you get someone to put the top coats on

 

[Xtractorfan]

It is normally recommended that you use a primer filler over the acid etch primer, and stopper or fill any pit marks. before applying the top/colour coats and lacquer..