Tiny blisters on roof

Grand Tourismo said:
It would be interesting to get a report from a paint/fibreglass specialist to further understand what causes the blisters...is it a paint issue caused by a reaction/application failure or maybe frost as others have said...
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Yes it would be a good idea . Lotus had a problem with there Elan doors blistering apparently a batch got stored outside in damp before finishing coat was applied
 
I spoke to a boat builder friend. He says the bubbles are in a poor grp layup. When the sun heats up the air contained in the roof bubbles they expand the only way they can, outwards. It’s particularly bad in dark colours, like black. I’m on my second replacement roof. However, this one has a serial / production number so I’m hoping that something has finally changed in the quality control department.


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I had a converted VW transporter ,by JAS , it was the same dark blue colour . Was nearly 8 years old when l sold to get Marco Polo and not a mark on the fibre glass roof .
 
If owners are serious about making a group complaint to the Motor Ombudsman then having a formal third party engineers report which describes what the issues are, what the categoric causes are and what potential future repairs may be needed.
This report coupled with a group complaint should see owners in the best possible position to get the attention of the Ombudsman and drive MB towards a formal recall notice.

Those affected chipping in a few quid to fund the report might be the way forward...picking the correct professional to produce a report which is irrefutable is highly important, maybe asking the Ombudsman for a recommended engineer is also prudent.
 
RFT said:
I spoke to a boat builder friend. He says the bubbles are in a poor grp layup. When the sun heats up the air contained in the roof bubbles they expand the only way they can, outwards. It’s particularly bad in dark colours, like black. I’m on my second replacement roof. However, this one has a serial / production number so I’m hoping that something has finally changed in the quality control department.


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I suppose it's got to be the GRP layup, contaminants in the gelcoat or contaminants (and/or a reaction) in the paint system.

Has anyone with a replacement serial numbered roof had an issue or have they been good so far?
 
No containments necessary, simply voids left in the layup.

If you want to see if your roof has a serial number, it is hidden by the rubber bumper on the offside front corner and written in hand.


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KDM said:
Mercedes has just released a theme song for the Marco Polo model:
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Perhaps some computer wizard should do a collage of all the pictures posted on this forum and Facebook with this music in the background post it on YouTube with links for it to come up whern searching Mercedes, Wesrfalia and Marco Polo.
However, I doubt Mercedes HQ might wake up They don’t seem to be going out of their way to sell them!
 
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Roof warranty - A bit of good news on this issue, I hope. I have just spoken to the manager at the Mercedes dealership that put the new roof on my MP and asked him about the warranty situation. He assured me that the relevant warranty for the roof is the paintwork warranty of 8 years. Not the shorter mechanical warranty.
 
PeeGee said:
Roof warranty - A bit of good news on this issue, I hope. I have just spoken to the manager at the Mercedes dealership that put the new roof on my MP and asked him about the warranty situation. He assured me that the relevant warranty for the roof is the paintwork warranty of 8 years. Not the shorter mechanical warranty.
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I have not heard of any manufacturer giving 8 years paint warranty. Body warranty, yes, ie rust. And that is usually on the condition that you stick to the regular service intervals
 
askho said:
That's why I am still trying to decide whether it's worth my while to report the returned blisters on my second roof. There is no guarantee that it won't happen again. In fact anecdotal evidence shows that they haven't solved the basic problem and blisters will appear again sooner or later. How many roofs are you prepared to go through.
At least my roof fits well. I have read some roofs came back not fitting properly. It's just too much hassle.
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You know I have been debating whether to make another claim because some blisters came back on my second roof. Those were on the side of the roof, about 7 or 8 of them. I just got a ladder out and had a look on the top of the roof. I nearly fell off the ladder. There were hundreds of them !!!!!!!!!!!
I have no choice now. Got to take it back.
 
askho said:
You know I have been debating whether to make another claim because some blisters came back on my second roof. Those were on the side of the roof, about 7 or 8 of them. I just got a ladder out and had a look on the top of the roof. I nearly fell off the ladder. There were hundreds of them !!!!!!!!!!!
I have no choice now. Got to take it back.
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Sorry to hear this Askho but maybe you will get one of the new serial numbered roofs and I hope this is the end of it for you!
Will you be asking what the warranty term is on your new roof?
 
askho said:
I have not heard of any manufacturer giving 8 years paint warranty. Body warranty, yes, ie rust. And that is usually on the condition that you stick to the regular service intervals
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PeeGee said:
Roof warranty - A bit of good news on this issue, I hope. I have just spoken to the manager at the Mercedes dealership that put the new roof on my MP and asked him about the warranty situation. He assured me that the relevant warranty for the roof is the paintwork warranty of 8 years. Not the shorter mechanical warranty.
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I hope this is correct, that would give MB the chance to wash through all the dodgy roofs leaving only happy consumers behind.
 
PeeGee said:
Roof warranty - A bit of good news on this issue, I hope. I have just spoken to the manager at the Mercedes dealership that put the new roof on my MP and asked him about the warranty situation. He assured me that the relevant warranty for the roof is the paintwork warranty of 8 years. Not the shorter mechanical warranty.
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PLEASE get this in writing. If only for the sake of everyone with roof problems
 
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Mine went in yesterday as they are trying to find a serial number on the roof they replaced 18 months ago in order to move forward, they say it is there but need to remove roof to find it, must be the older model roof I guess. They need this in order to move forward. I only have 6 months left on warranty and so asked what happens in a years time if the same happens as this is the second time. Dan the service manager who is very knowledgable on this roof issue said they will have to sort it. He said there is/was an issue with the fibre glass roof and the paint they use. Whether that is correct I have no idea but the first time I have heard an admission something is wrong. He said basically don’t worry for the future if something goes wrong with this next one they will have to sort it. Trying to get something in writing To that affect!
 
Just came back from the dealer. Spoke to the warranty manager who is a very nice and helpful chap. He remembers my MP and said the problem is worst than before, which it is. He also said mine is the first one to return after repair. They have done a few now.
He took pictures and said he has to consult MB technical department to see what's to be done. I asked him what will happen if the problem recurs in the future and my van is out of warranty. He said because it's an ongoing problem and they have got all the records it will be sorted. I just have to take his word for it.
 
askho said:
Just came back from the dealer. Spoke to the warranty manager who is a very nice and helpful chap. He remembers my MP and said the problem is worst than before, which it is. He also said mine is the first one to return after repair. They have done a few now.
He took pictures and said he has to consult MB technical department to see what's to be done. I asked him what will happen if the problem recurs in the future and my van is out of warranty. He said because it's an ongoing problem and they have got all the records it will be sorted. I just have to take his word for it.
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That sounds like exactly the same conversation and outcome I had.
 
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