I was looking at a possible MX5 Mk3 2008 Roadster in Grey to buy. I noticed that the folding electric roof has some sun blemishes/ slight patches of fading. I think some of the other paintwork has some of this fading too. It’s not major, but just wondering if others have spotted this on a grey colour on an MX5 of this age?
thanks, Tony
This is a problem I have never come across before.
I happen to have a 2008 2.0L Sport Roadster-Coupe in Galaxy grey, and the paintwork in this respect is flawless. It has obviously been well looked after by previous owners, and perhaps garaged when not in use, I do not know for sure, but apart from the inevitable stone chips around the front end (which have all been touched up), there is not a blemish to it. For an eleven-year-old car, I find this quite impressive, especially as Mazda paintwork in general is said to be rather ‘soft’, and not as hard-wearing as other manufacturers.
It’s interesting because I’m not sure I would have even noticed the slight patchiness and fading in colour in daylight if the dealer himself hadn’t pointed it out on this 11 year old grey mark 3. To be honest I still think it looks great!
I think the roof panels are composite and if you look at the bumpers, wing mirrors and sill they are usually a different shade to the rest of the car. More obvious on a winning blue car
I have it on my 3 PRHT roof panels and the door mirrors. In some lights you can’t see it at all in others it’s very apparent. I got money off when I bought the car so I went in knowing it’d need fixing eventually.
I just put up with it until I can bother to get it resprayed. I’ve also had some blistering on the deck panel at the edge where it joins the rear screen.
It seems to be quite common on Galaxy Grey and a couple of other colours but most reports appear to be in the US. See https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=666849 for a similar bad case.
Often reported as clear coat peeling but actually is beneath the clear coat and shows as a milkiness in the paint. Causes are suggested as freezing residual moisture in the panel or sun-baking. I really don’t know what the cause is but I know it’s there and will have to get it sorted eventually.
I’ve tried all sorts of wax, cutting, buffing and the like but no go.
Possible someone has polished through the lacquer… Hard to say and you will need to get it examined or get it measured using a paint thickness gauge. Multi layer is best.
Soft thin paint on these cars. Nay make that VERY thin.
Well, you learn something new every day.
When my wife got her first company car back in 2005, a Mazda 6, we were both bowled over by the quality of the car. Another 6 (the later model) followed in 2008, and then in 2011 she got our first MX-5 (again as a company car), which we loved so much, we kept it for four-and-a-half years (instead of the normal 3 year lease).
We bought our current MX-5 about two years ago, and promptly joined the OC. This has been something of a double-edged sword - the technical info and camaraderie in the club has been great, but being a member has taught me that Mazdas in general, and MX-5s in particular, are not as much ‘the bees knees’ as we thought - this paint thing being the latest common issue which we were blissfully unaware of !
I suppose one has to be philosophical about all the possible faults with these cars - at least we know what to look out for !
my NC 2008 Galaxy Grey folding electric hardtop has the same issues, fading paint and blistering on the deck panel. any recommendations for a body shop anyone would recommend in the surrey area to get this resprayed?