- My model of MX-5 is: _Mark 3 _
- I’m based near: Oxford__
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Some apparent white long marks on bonnet. I have it covered outside on drive with official Mazda waterproof cover. But then saw these marks
_Any ideas would be great how to repair or what caused it, possibly the heat?
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lacquer delaminated from the paint. that’s not “fixable” mate. its a sanding down to base coat and respray job
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Do you know what could have caused it. Only recently bought car and cleaned it and wasnt there before. Was this covered up by previous keeper?
the bright orange thing up in the sky is the culprit…
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But has been under a cover 99 percent of the time. Only bought it 4 weeks ago and driven 3 times. Can it happen that quick, or was bonnet clearly damaged before
could be the cover you used, if it was dirty and windy it may have disturbed that area effectively “sanding” it down. i don’t cover my car and I’m not fond of covers of any sort. IMHO if you want to protect it get a garage (and make sure its vented) or under a canopy…
Even if it was damaged before and not seen, or picked up its hard to prove. if it was from a trader I would immediately let them know - you may get it repaired under warranty especially if it was bought less than a month (expect some resistance though).
Thanks for the reply and advice. Is it expensive to sand down and paint the hood. Really annoyed got damaged that quick and as you say no way to rectify without new paint job.
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I guess the cover has caused that paint damage, it’s lifted the lacquer. I’ve seen the lacquer lift particularly on the bonnets of earlier Mk3’s before (without being covered) and also paint lifting due to the bonnet being aluminium too.
Maybe it’s been too hot under the cover, we are in a mini heatwave here ATM in the East Midlands I guess you too wherever.?
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Yeah in Oxford has been really hot. Guess covers terrible idea. Don’t have a garage so thought would be good but guess in trouble now and only was to rectify is respray arghhhh
If you have a soft top just cover the hood (half cover) it’s good enough, keeps it clean and free of bird poo.
Incidentally I’m guessing as suggested the lacquer could be resprayed but in doing that it depends how the rest looks.
Not good news but, I’ve just had my bonnet partly resprayed, it had to be blended in to the front bumper and wings as part of a repair job. Let’s just say doing the bonnet only could leave the rest looking odd, depending on colour and the paint shop technique.
I’d go get a decent paint shop quote, mine wasn’t cheap but I didn’t expect it to be for a full front spray job.
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Thanks for info have a hard top on at moment, but does have original soft top underneath if want to take it off. How much out of interest did your full front spray cost and would you have any ideas about cost of all of it. Just so I can prepare myself for the paint
shop quotes
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Hi .Had my bonnet re’Laciquer in november on my NC . Cost £210.00 that did inclued the inner edges. The work was done by a one man band with NO vat. The colour is silver.
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I used transparent nail varnish on mine (front wing and rear bumper in my case), it’s a 1-2 foot away repair though 
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I would try polishing it. Might just be the surface of the lacquer damaged. Won’t make it any worse.
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Thanks for all the answers and suggestions, hope get it sorted soon!
I had something similar on my mk3.75 after using a cover. It looked like water had entered the lacquer and caused the bloom. I left it uncovered and used a hairdryer on the affected area to dry it out before a good coat of wax.
If you can feel the lacquer has already lifted then this will not help.
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That’s a good idea, does feel quite smooth so may work, thanks for the suggestion!
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I have heard of people using non-breathable covers in a damp garage over winter, and half the paint coming off with the cover in spring.