Rust on roof - 2007 Honda Civic

job seeker

Hi all, I've noticed today that there is rust present long roof at the top of the front window. This is a common issue with this generation of civic.

After doing some digging someone had the same issue. They contacted Honda Ireland and basically got nowhere.

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057263116

I suppose I really only have two options at this stage.

1.) to repair it myself and just try to slow down the rust.

2.) get it fixed by a professional and pay about 250-300 euro.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Js.

job seeker

Photos here:

Wibbs

I'd be going the pro route myself. The rust looks to behind the rubber seal and spreading from there. IT'll continue to eat away unless it's properly treated and that looks like the seal has to come out at the very least?

projectgtr

I would definitely go the pro route, may well be a windscreen out job. Is this an issue on the the hatch and saloon?I am actually looking at that gen civic at the minute.

colm_mcm

GEt the roof sprayed black while you’re at it

Toyotafanboi

Depends on how long you plan on keeping the car too. I don't think 250-300 Would go near that job, twice that at a minimum would be more realistic. It'll be €100 Just to remove and replace the windscreen before you do any other work and that's if it doesn't break on the way out.

How much is it likely to progress over the rest of the lifespan of a €3k car and is the repair worth the investment. I'd consider cleaning it down and using a rust treatment on the visual areas and hoping for the best unless you intend on keeping the car say 4+ years at a guess?

I believe that's a known issue though?

JohnBoy26

Respray it and get a strip of clear vinyl stone chip protection film fitted at the edge under the seal to stop it wearing down the new paint and putting things back to square one.

The windscreen should not have to come out to do the respray as it looks to be only along the leading edge of the seal where it has worn into the paint.

job seeker

Wibbs wrote: »

I'd be going the pro route myself. The rust looks to behind the rubber seal and spreading from there. IT'll continue to eat away unless it's properly treated and that looks like the seal has to come out at the very least?

projectgtr wrote: »

I would definitely go the pro route, may well be a windscreen out job. Is this an issue on the the hatch and saloon?I am actually looking at that gen civic at the minute.

Ye are probably right. Cheers lads.

Projectgtr- yes it's a common issue on this generation civic. I'm not sure if it happens on the Saloons though..

colm_mcm wrote: »

GEt the roof sprayed black while you’re at it

I considered it! But, I decided against it.

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Depends on how long you plan on keeping the car too. I don't think 250-300 Would go near that job, twice that at a minimum would be more realistic. It'll be €100 Just to remove and replace the windscreen before you do any other work and that's if it doesn't break on the way out.

How much is it likely to progress over the rest of the lifespan of a €3k car and is the repair worth the investment. I'd consider cleaning it down and using a rust treatment on the visual areas and hoping for the best unless you intend on keeping the car say 4+ years at a guess?

I believe that's a known issue though?

I do intend to keep this car as long as possible. I suppose you're right about that price. But 500-600 is a lot to spend on a ten year old car imo. But would it be better to carry out this repair if I was considering selling it? What I mean is that if I could stop the rust it wouldn't bother me that much after that.

That's a good idea of cleaning it up and attempting to slow down the rust.

job seeker

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Respray it and get a strip of clear vinyl stone chip protection film fitted at the edge under the seal to stop it wearing down the new paint and putting things back to square one.

The windscreen should not have to come out to do the respray as it looks to be only along the leading edge of the seal where it has worn into the paint.

Do you mean a d.i.y attempt on it? I'd chance it. I wouldn't be an expert by any means at spraying. But I done a bit of spraying before and it turned out alright.

colm_mcm

I’d sooner leave it than attempt doing it.

JohnBoy26

job seeker wrote: »

Do you mean a d.i.y attempt on it? I'd chance it. I wouldn't be an expert by any means at spraying. But I done a bit of spraying before and it turned out alright.

No I wouldn't recommend a diy for a roof respray as it's very difficult to get it to look right. Cosmetically it looks better now than what it would do with a diy repair.

If I was attempting it myself id apply a rust remover gel and remove all the rust, then id use a small artist brush to touch up the area, using a zinc primer undercoat first.

In all honesty though if it was my car id go the professional route and get it done properly. A strip of clear vinyl film will ensure it never happens again.

Can't see the respray on the roof coming in anywhere near €600 though.

colm_mcm

Yeah it’s a straightforward paint job as the roof is separated from the rest of the bodywork by plastic strips so there’s no blending to do.

job seeker

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

No I wouldn't recommend a diy for a roof respray as it's very difficult to get it to look right. Cosmetically it looks better now than what it would do with a diy repair.

If I was attempting it myself id apply a rust remover gel and remove all the rust, then id use a small artist brush to touch up the area, using a zinc primer undercoat first.

In all honesty though if it was my car id go the professional route and get it done properly. A strip of clear vinyl film will ensure it never happens again.

Can't see the respray on the roof coming in anywhere near €600 though.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Yeah it’s a straightforward paint job as the roof is separated from the rest of the bodywork by plastic strips so there’s no blending to do.

Oh, ye mean do the whole roof? I was considering (if I was was going to pay to get it done) was to just get that section sanded back and spray around where the rust is..

Toyotafanboi

Will the rust not be under the weather strip between the windscreen and roof panel though? Which would mean you would likely need to take the screen out to do a proper job?

JohnBoy26

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Will the rust not be under the weather strip between the windscreen and roof panel though? Which would mean you would likely need to take the screen out to do a proper job?

They only chafe along the edge usually where the edge of the seal meets the roof.

Toyotafanboi

You used to see similar rust appearing on Avensis years ago i think but I the windscreen didn't have that rubber iirc. What I do remember is nothing looked more cat than when the owner painted the first 2 inches of the roof (not that anyone is suggesting that).

I'd either do nothing or you'd have to do a whole roof. I think my Focus had rust like that too and with the car just being regularly washed and infrequently waxed it never really got much worse but I massaged a bit of this stuff into it and buffed it down when I first got it.

https://www.motorparts.ie/product/accessories-body-repair-adhesives-and-sealers/comma-wax-seal-ws500m

colm_mcm

Stickerbomb the whole roof?

Toyotafanboi

It's positively aching for a can of matte black.

job seeker

colm_mcm wrote: »

Stickerbomb the whole roof?

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

It's positively aching for a can of matte black.

I'm not sure if ye are serious?... :pac::pac::pac:

Toyotafanboi

We are if you want us to be.

colm_mcm

Channel your inner chav.

job seeker

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

We are if you want us to be.

Well, regardless, I'd prefer to get it sprayed the same colour again. :P

colm_mcm wrote: »

Channel your inner chav.

No thanks!

Paddystix

Common problem on the 8th gen civic, the original windscreen seal was to hard,
Cuts it’s way into the paint causes rust.

A lot of work you will find that the rust will have travelled down under where the windscreen sits, so that will have to be removed, the metal it’s self will be all pitted from the rust. Cost me 400 plus the cost of windscreen removal €100 and brand new revised softer windscreen seal from Honda. €35

http://www.civinfo.com/forum/bugs-faults-irritations/81264-rusty-roof-honda-recall.html


http://www.civinfo.com/forum/bugs-faults-irritations/114471-rusty-roof-warranty-service-bulletin.html

job seeker

Paddystix wrote: »

Common problem on the 8th gen civic, the original windscreen seal was to hard,
Cuts it’s way into the paint causes rust.

A lot of work you will find that the rust will have travelled down under where the windscreen sits, so that will have to be removed, the metal it’s self will be all pitted from the rust. Cost me 400 plus the cost of windscreen removal €100 and brand new revised softer windscreen seal from Honda. €35

http://www.civinfo.com/forum/bugs-faults-irritations/81264-rusty-roof-honda-recall.html


http://www.civinfo.com/forum/bugs-faults-irritations/114471-rusty-roof-warranty-service-bulletin.html

Damn!

Did you make contact with Honda to try and get them to do a recall?

Paddystix

Waste of time they won’t entertain ya in Ireland. I had to pay to get it done myself. It only affects Swindon built Honda’s 2006-2011 hatchback.

job seeker

Paddystix wrote: »

Waste of time they won’t entertain ya in Ireland. I had to pay to get it done myself. It only affects Swindon built Honda’s 2006-2011 hatchback.

Bollox! Can I ask if you got the work done by a Honda dealer or just a panel beater?

job seeker

I suppose I will bring the Civic to the local panel beater within the next week or two and see what he says. As, he'll be doing the work for me. Jaysus, though such a sh1t situation to be in. I really regret not doing my research before buying this. If, I'd known about this issue. I would have walked, left the car where it was and I would have not bought it.

JohnBoy26

job seeker wrote: »

I suppose I will bring the Civic to the local panel beater within the next week or two and see what he says. As, he'll be doing the work for me. Jaysus, though such a sh1t situation to be in. I really regret not doing my research before buying this. If, I'd known about this issue. I would have walked, left the car where it was and I would have not bought it.

It's not that big of a deal tbh

Paddystix

job seeker wrote: »

Bollox! Can I ask if you got the work done by a Honda dealer or just a panel beater?

Took it to a good bodyshop, they got there glass guy to remove screen to reveal the extent of the rust damage it had fairly travelled. He had to take it right back to the metal which reveled pitting in the metal from the rust. Mine did not look as bad as yours does, but I was shocked with what was hiding underneath the paint. If you plan to keep the car best off getting it done right.

job seeker

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

It's not that big of a deal tbh

Oh, to me it is. If I viewed this car and had known about this, there is no way I would have bought it. As, I would have known that I'd have to spend 500ish on top of the the 3k I paid for the car.

job seeker

Paddystix wrote: »

Took it to a good bodyshop, they got there glass guy to remove screen to reveal the extent of the rust damage it had fairly travelled. He had to take it right back to the metal which revealed pitting in the metal from the rust. Mine did not look as bad as yours does, but I was shocked with what was hiding underneath the paint. If you plan to keep the car best off getting it done right.

Ya, that's true. Thanks for the info.

colm_mcm

Paddystix wrote: »

. If you plan to keep the car best off getting it done right.

You could easily spend 25% of the value of the car on what isn't structural rust.

job seeker

colm_mcm wrote: »

You could easily spend 25% of the value of the car on what isn't structural rust.

That's a good way at looking at it. However, this has kinda annoyed me all the same..

Paddystix

job seeker wrote: »

That's a good way at looking at it. However, this has kinda annoyed me all the same..

As the guy in the bodyshop said, the fact it’s the first thing you see while you get into the car is kind of annoying.

walus

Hammerite Kurust, some touchup paint, new rubber seal... will last through your car ownership. Have done the same on the FRV - same issue.

job seeker

Paddystix wrote: »

As the guy in the bodyshop said, the fact it’s the first thing you see while you get into the car is kind of annoying.

Oh exactly, it's extremely annoying..

JohnBoy26

walus wrote: »

Hammerite Kurust, some touchup paint, new rubber seal... will last through your car ownership. Have done the same on the FRV - same issue.

Kurust will do nothing only cover up the rust

job seeker

walus wrote: »

Hammerite Kurust, some touchup paint, new rubber seal... will last through your car ownership. Have done the same on the FRV - same issue.

I am half considering doing something like that. But, what's stopping me is that the car has just over 100k miles and I really want to keep the car for as long as possible. I wouldn't be someone who changes their car every 2/3 years. I'm just in two minds about this..

walus

job seeker wrote: »

I am half considering doing something like that. But, what's stopping me is that the car has just over 100k miles and I really want to keep the car for as long as possible. I wouldn't be someone who changes their car every 2/3 years. I'm just in two minds about this..

I did just that 3 years ago and its holding up pretty well still.

job seeker

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Kurust will do nothing only cover up the rust

Hmm, ya. Looking at reviews people say that it turns the rust black..

walus

job seeker wrote: »

Hmm, ya. Looking at reviews people say that it turns the rust black..

Turning the color of rust is just an indicator that you can pain that section so it is protected from rusting further. It essentially stops the rust and seals it off.

job seeker

Just as a side note. I bought the Civic from a Skoda Dealer. Now, if I noticed this when I was buying the car do ye think that the Skoda dealership would have repaired this issue?

JohnBoy26

job seeker wrote: »

Hmm, ya. Looking at reviews people say that it turns the rust black..

The kurust turns black but if you scrape it off, the rust is still just as prevalent underneath festering away at the metal. I've had a good trial of kurust and similar treatments and most are no good at stopping rust.

JohnBoy26

job seeker wrote: »

Just as a side note. I bought the Civic from a Skoda Dealer. Now, if I noticed this when I was buying the car do ye think that the Skoda dealership would have repaired this issue?

No.

scamalert

seems not a major rust but get the put off appeal.why not treat it with some rust protection and get roof covered in vinyl if spending 250e,otherwise your basically spending cash which you wont recover for aesthetics look down to 3-5 years before change of car when its worth nothing.

job seeker

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

The kurust turns black but if you scrape it off, the rust is still just as prevalent underneath festering away at the metal. I've had a good trial of kurust and similar treatments and most are no good at stopping rust.

Ya, that's what I assumed.

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

No.

I suppose it wouldn't make sense for them too.

job seeker

scamalert wrote: »

seems not a major rust but get the put off appeal.why not treat it with some rust protection and get roof covered in vinyl if spending 250e,otherwise your basically spending cash which you wont recover for aesthetics look down to 3-5 years before change of car when its worth nothing.

I'd like to keep the car as long as possible. Although, if I was to sell it after a couple of years. I could never sell someone a car (deliberately) which would be eaten with rust.

gctest50

scamalert wrote: »

seems not a major rust but get the put off appeal..............

It'll get very bad quickly ( esp in this warm damp weather )

you'll end up with this :

JohnBoy26

gctest50 wrote: »

It'll get very bad quickly ( esp in this warm damp weather )

you'll end up with this :

Is that a civic?

colm_mcm

Pic is from here, but it's not the same model and it's a different issue by the looks of it

https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/21074/is-it-important-to-fix-paint-deterioration/40484

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

Pic is from here, but it's not the same model and it's a different issue by the looks of it

https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/21074/is-it-important-to-fix-paint-deterioration/40484

I don't even think that windscreen rust is from any civic and instead was just used as a (bad) example from a completely different car as to what can happen if the paint(clear coat) deteriorates (even though it still can't rust because the e coat is still intact)

The car in the first pic is a 7th gen civic and is not suffering from.any rust issue.