|
Care
and Maintenance of Your Sunroof
reprinted from sunroofs.com, written by Jim Cipolla & Marc Levinson
Proper care
and maintenance of your sunroof is important in preserving its
appearance and operational longevity. Upkeep couldn't be simpler,
given today's modern manufacturing processes, materials, and technology!
By following the manufacturers instructions (usually found in
your warranty card), your sunroof will provide many years of service…
and probably outlast your car or truck!
Pop-Up
• Tilt-&-Slide • Internal
Sliding • Folding • Topslider
• Removable Panel • Conclusion
POP-UP
SUNROOFS
 Pop-up
sunroofs vent in the rear, and have a removable glass panel. They
require little maintenance, except for regular cleaning.
Start
with the gasket, which is the seal between the glass and the main
body of the sunroof. The days of tired, worn, rubber gaskets are
a thing of the past. Sunroofs today use long lasting high tech
materials like silicone and EDPM rubber which resist UV and other
damaging effects that Mother Nature dishes out! Clean the gasket
at least twice a year with a clean, damp, lint free cloth. Occasionally,
use a mild detergent solution, depending on conditions in your
area (i.e. dust, leaves, salt etc.), followed by a rinse using
a new cloth and fresh clean water. NEVER apply mineral oil, petroleum
jelly or vinyl dressing to your gasket. Occasional application
of light silicone lubricating spray may be fine if recommended
by the manufacturer.
The
glass panel should be cleaned with a non-ammonia glass cleaner
and lint free cloth. Occasionally, hard water spots can build
up on the glass which are easily removed with household white
vinegar and a soft cloth. Handle the glass panel with care when
removing or reinstalling. Tempered glass can easily shatter if
scratched or chipped. Always inspect your glass when cleaning.
When removed, the glass panel should be carefully protected in
a padded sunroof storage bag or wrapped in a blanket.
The
sunroof main frame, (the frame around the glass, on the vehicle
roof) may have one of several types of finish. A smooth surface
is usually electro-static powdercoat paint, and needs little more
than normal car-wash cleaning and an occasional application of
car wax to maintain its luster. A textured frame surface is likely
a composite polyamide frame which should be cleaned regularly
with mild detergent. Do not wax a textured frame! A white chalky
buildup on a textured frame is likely car wax which can be removed
with a soft brush and mild detergent.
Your
local sunroof professional can clean your sunroof, inspect the
adjust the hardware and gasket and send you on your way in no
time at all.
TILT-&-SLIDE
SUNROOFS (Spoilers)
 Tilt-&-slide
or spoiler sunroofs vent like a pop-up, then slide open over the
roof of the vehicle. Most are electrically operated. They are
as easy to maintain as a pop-up. First, follow the same simple
steps as a pop-up to maintain the main gasket, glass and mainframe,
then maintain the drive mechanism.
Tilt-&-slide
sunroofs have cable drive system to operate the panel. Dirt, grit,
salt and debris can cause your sunroof to open or close sluggishly
and may cause wear or even failure over time. A simple solution
is to make sure your tracks are clean and clear of debris, dirt,
etc... Inspect the tracks and remove any debris or dirt by hand,
followed by gently wiping with a clean cloth until the surface
is clean. Follow your manufacturers instruction for lubricating
the tracks and drive. Most recommend annual application of white
lithium grease to maintain smooth operation of the drive system.
Consider a visit to your local sunroof professional to inspect
the motor, clean, re-lubricate and adjust the cables and track
according to manufacturers specifications!
INTERNAL
SLIDING SUNROOFS (moonroof or inbuilt)
 This
type of sunroof is usually found in luxury vehicles, although
is also common among imports. The sunroof panel lowers and glides
between the outside roof and headliner of the vehicle with the
push of a button! Most have glass panels with a sliding panel
shade, and many also include a tilt up vent mode. Follow the same
glass frame and cable drive care instructions for a tilt-&-slide
sunroof, then open the sunroof and maintain the inside.
Internal
sunroofs lack the thick, smooth mainframe gasket found in pop-ups
and tilt-&-slide sunroofs. Instead you'll usually find a soft
thin fuzzy seal surrounding the glass and/or mainframe. This seal
is designed to eliminate wind noise, not stop water. Inspect this
seal and have it replaced by your local sunroof professional if
it shows excessive wear.
A
trough around the inside perimeter of the sunroof catches the
water and channels it away to the ground through concealed drain
tubes! This is called a water management system. Most leaks occur
because debris builds up in the trough, clogging the drain holes
(found in the corners), thus preventing drainage through the tubes.
Sound confusing? It's really not! With the sunroof completely
retracted, look inside to see the trough. Clean any dirt and remove
debris with a damp cloth. Next, examine the drain holes to verify
they are clear of any obstruction which may prevent water from
draining through.
In
some cases the drain tubes may be clogged and require a clean-out.
Though the process is rather simple, usually a blast of compressed
air and a long “pipe cleaner,” we highly recommend visiting your
local sunroof professional! Improper cleaning or too much force
may cause the drain tubes to detach, which would allow water to
run directly into your vehicle. While you're there, your local
sunroof professional can to re-lubricate and adjust the cables
and track according to manufacturers specifications!
FOLDING
SUNROOFS
 Folding
sunroofs, often called rag-top sliders, are characterized by their
fabric or vinyl top cover which slides open like an accordion
to reveal an enormous aperture. This top cover usually comes in
contact with the vehicle roof to form a watertight seal, rather
than using a gasket like other sunroof types.
Like
all sunroofs, cleanliness is the most important factor in maintaining
the sunroof. Keep the vehicle roof clean and waxed. Do not use
harsh chemicals to clean or dress the topcover material - most
manufacturers recommend mild detergent and occasional application
of good quality all weather vinyl dressing.
The
track and slides are more exposed than other sunroofs, and should
be kept clean and greased regularly. Open the top to reveal the
track. Clean track with cotton swabs or a soft cloth, then lubricate
according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Some
models are cable driven and may require more care, as well as
an occasional adjustment. Your local sunroof professional may
be better suited to the task.
TOPSLIDER
SUNROOFS
 Topslider
sunroofs slide open in rails over the roof of the vehicle. Most
include an integral wind deflector. They may be manual or electrically
operated. Follow the same simple maintenance steps as a pop-up
for cleaning of the main gasket, glass and mainframe. Clean the
acrylic wind deflector with mild detergent solution and soft,
lintfree cloth. The main gasket may also require regular application
of light silicone spray lubricant (check manufacturer's specifications).
The
track and drive mechanism should be kept clean and clear of debris,
dirt, etc... Inspect the tracks and remove any debris or dirt
by hand, followed by gently wiping with a clean cloth until the
surface is clean. For manual units, keep the track channel clean
- do not lubricate. Electric or manual cable drive systems may
require annual application of white lithium grease in the maintain
smooth operation of the drive system. Consider a visit to your
local sunroof professional to inspect the motor, clean, re-lubricate
and adjust the cables and track according to manufacturers specifications!
REMOVABLE
PANEL (Targa & T-Tops)
 Removable
panel sunroofs offer only two positions, on or off, and have no
complicated drive mechanisms. The panel(s) may be transparent
(glass or plastic) or opaque (metal or fiberglass). Clean the
outside as you would the rest of your vehicle, then remove the
panel(s) to clean the edges. The latches and locks may need occasional
lubrication or adjustment, which is best left to a sunroof professional.
Most
important on removable panel sunroofs is care and maintenance
of the gasket around the perimeter of the opening. Clean the gasket
at least twice a year with a clean, damp, lint free cloth. Occasionally,
use a mild detergent solution, depending on conditions in your
area (i.e. dust, leaves, salt etc.), followed by a rinse using
a new cloth and fresh clean water. NEVER apply mineral oil, petroleum
jelly or vinyl dressing to your gasket. Occasional application
of light silicone lubricating spray may be fine if recommended
by the manufacturer.
When
removed, the panel(s) should be carefully protected a padded sunroof
storage bag or wrapped in a blanket.
CONCLUSION
Today’s sunroofs are designed with modern technology and materials
to provide years of trouble-free enjoyment. All too often, sunroofs
become a problem due to neglect! The single most important factor
in keeping your sunroof operating like new is keeping it clean
inside and out. Visit your local sunroof professional for an annual
tune-up to clean and adjust your sunroof. Whether it’s factory
installed or aftermarket, regular care and preventive maintenance
will keep you enjoying that refreshing open-air feeling that only
a sunroof can provide!
Visit
your AAA Convertible and Sunroof
for an annual tune-up to clean and adjust your sunroof. Whether
it’s factory installed or aftermarket, regular care and preventive
maintenance will keep you enjoying that refreshing open-air feeling
that only a sunroof can provide!
|
