Hello everyone! I recently got a great deal on a 2001 xj in great condition and under 100k miles. The one issue it does have is small rust spots on the roof and even though I've only had it a couple of days I would like to get it taken care of ASAP. I was hoping to get some opinions on sprayimg the roof with bed liner after the rust is removed of course. I think it's an interesting look but I'm worried about fading or an uneven look as I have never applied bed liner before. Thanks!

 

If you have an 01 with rust on the roof............I'd take a serious look underneath first.

 

That's the first thing I did and I'm actually puzzled on why it has roof rust. The underside looks about normal and the rest of the paint is in good condition.

 

take pictures of the rust.

 

I would remove the headliner and take a peak. If it is small, you should be able to remove rust spot with a dremel and treat.

 

My Cherokee is in amazing shape underneath, southern jeep pretty much it's whole life, but it has a penny sized rust spot on the roof. No clue why, it's the weirdest thing.

 

I picked up an '00 cheap about 2 1/2 years ago. Running but not driveable. Underneath was pretty pristine as far as Jeeps go. Had surface rust issues on the hood and roof. I tried to deal with it. Come to find out while I wrench OK my sanding and rattle can skills suck. It is going into the shop in the spring to get dealt with. I had my headliner professionally done about a year ago but had to take it out myself. I was fine with that because I too wanted to see what the roof looked like inside. Mine was fine. Again just surface rust. I am pretty sure bedliner will not fade. Unlike other rust solutions such as POR 15 and rust inhibitor. As far as an uneven look most of that is on you but bedliner is usually textured so it will not be smooth.

 

Do you live on the coast by chance? I lived in Texas in the 90's for a few years and the sun would eat the paint off of the roof, hood and trunk lids of cars then the salt air on the coast would start rusting it up. I had a J20 that came from south padre that the underside looked like new but I could have stuck my finger through the roof.

 

nope, live in the upstate of South Carolina with perfect paint on the top.

 

It was probably chipped/scratched down to bare metal at some point and never repaired/sealed. Over time moisture got under the paint causing it to fail and rust.

 

Pull the headliner.

Cut out the rust.

Fiberglass from underneath. at least two layers.

Bondo top to finish.

Paint.




That is if you cannot weld to patch.

 

If it's surface rust on the top of the roof, I've seen this on many Cherokees. It may have been a production flaw aggravated by acid rain.


My '99 had rust spots on the roof that I had to sand down and spot paint.