AFT (Roof) Refurb

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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G-meister
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AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by G-meister » Wed Jan 24, 2018 8:29 pm

Anybody had any experience with treating the AFT to restore the look of it? Seems it's gotten faded over the years from UV etc.
Been looking at maybe trying something like Polytrol?
mitreklov
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by mitreklov » Sun Jan 28, 2018 10:08 am

Hi

I repainted the AFT on my 96 bongo last year. Used Rustoleum paint and found a colour that matched the original Greece Green. Lots of rubbing down and used a mohair roller to apply the paint. The biggest problem was finding 2 - 3 days without the threat of rain!!

Replaced the rubber seal at the same time.

I still need to replace the decals, that's a job for the spring.

A couple of before and after photos.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Nae9KZb5bMcA43BF2
Bob
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by Bob » Sun Jan 28, 2018 10:38 am

That's a cracking good job you've done there. =D>
mitreklov
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by mitreklov » Mon Jan 29, 2018 11:45 am

Thanks.

Took a lot of sanding initially and between coats. I had to abort one top coat as it rained and made the finish go matt, sanded that one down and waited of a warm no rain day to paint the final coat you see here.

I was particularly pleased with the colour match. When I removed the rubber seal I could the green was originally much darker than the rest of the faded roof so I matched to that colour.
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mikeonb4c
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by mikeonb4c » Mon Jan 29, 2018 3:00 pm

Incredible job.How on earth did you mix to match a colour like that! =D>
mitreklov
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by mitreklov » Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:05 pm

It wasn't too tricky.
Rustoleum paint is sold in RAL colours. I purchased a RAL colour chip chart from Amazon and found the colour that matched the closest. Went to my local paint specialist and ordered a tin with the RAL colour reference. Turned out to be near perfect match. Result \:D/

I was surprised it was that easy.
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mikeonb4c
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by mikeonb4c » Tue Jan 30, 2018 11:41 pm

mitreklov wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:05 pm It wasn't too tricky.
Rustoleum paint is sold in RAL colours. I purchased a RAL colour chip chart from Amazon and found the colour that matched the closest. Went to my local paint specialist and ordered a tin with the RAL colour reference. Turned out to be near perfect match. Result \:D/

I was surprised it was that easy.
Amazing. And what is RAL?
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by mitreklov » Thu Feb 01, 2018 11:16 pm

G-meister
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by G-meister » Sun Feb 18, 2018 12:28 pm

Nice work!
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by Ollymuk » Thu Jul 16, 2020 8:03 pm

mitreklov wrote: Sun Jan 28, 2018 10:08 am Hi

I repainted the AFT on my 96 bongo last year. Used Rustoleum paint and found a colour that matched the original Greece Green. Lots of rubbing down and used a mohair roller to apply the paint. The biggest problem was finding 2 - 3 days without the threat of rain!!

Replaced the rubber seal at the same time.

I still need to replace the decals, that's a job for the spring.

A couple of before and after photos.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Nae9KZb5bMcA43BF2
Mitreklov, can I ask where you got the AFT seal from? Mine is approaching the wrong side of knackered, but I'm keen to source one that I know fits as it looks a complex job.
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by Bongolia » Thu Jul 16, 2020 11:01 pm

https://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/
Hardest part is fitting it to the rear as space is really tight.
mitreklov
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by mitreklov » Sun Jul 19, 2020 9:45 am

Ollymuk: I seem to remember getting the roof seal from eBay. I can’t point you in the exact direction since it was some years ago since I purchased it, but if you search eBay you’ll what you are looking for. Good hunting.
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by Ollymuk » Sun Jul 19, 2020 11:11 am

Thanks.

Can I just ask what you used to sand it down when you painted? Was it fine paper and elbow grease or did you use a machine?

Tempted to do my roof as it's black on a green bongo.

Olly
mitreklov
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by mitreklov » Mon Jul 20, 2020 11:00 am

I used a palm sander to tackle the flat areas and elbow grease for the fiddly bits. There were some tiny holes in the fibreglass gel coat that needed filling so I used some filler primer spay to sort those out. I made a few passes with increasing paper grit with the final pass using 1000 grit and plenty of water. After the first coat was hard enough I took the sheen and any orange peel off with another pass with wet 1000 grit paper. Washing off the dust and sanding residue and leaving it to dry is very important before applying another coat of paint.

Take your time, it’ll be worth it.
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Re: AFT (Roof) Refurb

Post by rchambers84 » Thu Jul 23, 2020 5:28 pm

Bongolia wrote: Thu Jul 16, 2020 11:01 pm https://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/
Hardest part is fitting it to the rear as space is really tight.
Do you happen to remember the part number/ description.
I need to replace mine as its cracked and a lovely shade of green moss!
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