I had my roof wrapped with vinyl, and after i got my car back, i noticed a couple of dents on the roof. Shop claims they were there already. i would've thrown a fit and called BS but it could very well be true; we had very bad hail here about a month back and my car was parked outside, but i didn't notice any damage until after i got my roof wrapped. I could've definitely overlooked the hail damage. However, knowing that my roof is aluminum...... how easy is it to dent? I don't know whether to blame the shop or not. Could an inexperienced installer possibly have dented my roof?

i'm thinking maybe some elbows were put where they weren't supposed to be

 

Hail can dent your roof, however, if that were the case you'd also have a broken window. If they were capable of denting your rood then it would of also broke or cracked your windshield. How big are the dents? I do think its possible to get some elbow dents during installation but its to late now..

Also, just because the roof is aluminum doesn't mean its weaker and more prone to dents then a normal metal roof. Aluminum is very strong so don't think just cause its aluminum its gonna damage easier.

 

Hail can definitely dent the roof without breaking a window, but it could have been the shops fault. Very hard to tell.

Had you had the car detailed between the hail storm and the wrap? If so, the detail guy might be able to help answer the question.

 

so you guys would not rule out the fact that the soup could have done it? is the metal used on roofs that thin/weak?

 

I mean the shop could have done it.. but i would lean more towards the hail damage. I would not consider the Aluminum super strong by any means..

Hail dents body panels WAAAYYYY before it breaks windows. How big are the dents? It would have to be some pretty big hail to look like an elbow dented it.

 

well see the thing is... (which further complicates this) there are only dents on the roof and not on my hood and trunk. and the dents aren't evenly spread but only on one side (and yeah some of them look like an elbow imprint) but i was parked under a tree during the hailstorm which probably diverted a lot of the hail -_-

ugh it's going to be a pita to determine what exactly happen, i know it's my fault i didn't throroughly check my car after the hailstorm

i'm just trying to see if anyone else has had any cases with aluminum being bent so easily or if it's even possible for a simple elbow to bend metal. looking for reasons to rule out the fact that the shop did it

 

To really put a dent in to the roof you would have to have a good amount of pressure. When ever I wash or wax my car the roof kinda gives/flexes so I wouldnt think some noob-vinyl installer would even do that. Unless he was on a ladder/step stool and fell off or something and nail the roof with his elbows or something. It would have to be a pretty good smack tho..

 

Is it on the actual roof or on the raised sides of the roof?

 

actual roof (mine has the sunroof so it actually doesn't have the raised sides like the sans sunroof x's)

 

I have the same problem with my 2011 Lancer GT. It has a sun roof and the roof buckled at 2 places on the passenger side. I think your problem is related to the same as mine. I think they have structural problems. I will contact my dealer and advise.

 

Evos with sunroof do not have an aluminum roof, its steel i think

 

when my maxima got hailed on the dents were numerous and the size of a dime, quarter etc. I think it would be difficult to make such a small dent with an elbow without crushing in more of the roof around it, elbows arent that pointy and the weight of someones upper body as well would just make larger damage than hail damage.. it might be possible that the shop did it but i cant imagine why they would have their elbows on your roof while wrapping it.

 

sometimes after a wrap, you will notice more imperfections than before. especially with a glossy black wrap...so it's possible it was there before the shop touched it.

 

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2326892/Lan.../photo%202.JPG

This is what mine looks like. It wasn't hail. I've also never put anything on the roof. Just came out one day and noticed that. Not sure if they are having structural issues with the Lancers with sunroofs. Anyone else having issues with dents / dented / buckled Lancer roofs?