GENERAL MAINTENANCE

It is important to keep up the maintenance on your sunroof to sustain the operation and longevity of your roof panel. By following these simple maintenance suggestions, you will enjoy your sunroof for years to come.

For all types of sunroofs it is important to keep the weather seal around your glass clean. If your sunroof seal is untreated rubber use a damp lint free cloth (a mild detergent may be used) and clean the entire seal. Using a new lint free cloth with clean water, rinse off the weather seal. It is important not to use mineral oil, petroleum jelly or vinyl dressing on your seal. A mild detergent or just plain water will be sufficient. If your sunroof seal is flocked (coated with a black fiber) using a soft brush and water rinse and gently brush any remaining dirt.

MAINTENANCE BY SUNROOF TYPE

ELECTRIC SPOILERS (glass vents up and out of the vehicle) - Your electric operated sunroof is motor driven by cables and slides back and forth in the tracks. It is important to keep your tracks clean from dirt and debris for proper functioning of your sunroof. Use a shop vacuum to clean up any loose debris. Use a clean lint free cloth to clean out any solid debris in the tracks. It is recommended to use an application of white lithium grease to lubricate the tracks for smooth operation. We recommend that you have your local sunroof technician to perform an inspection of your motor, cables and lubrication needs. If available, it is always a good idea to follow your manufacturer’s instructions.

ELECTRIC INBUILT (glass retracts into the vehicle under the headliner) - For electric inbuilt sunroofs, there is a little more detail to follow. In the trough around the inside of the sunroof, there will be drain tubes (usually found in the corners) to allow water to run through. These drain tubes can sometimes become clogged. The best way to unclog them is to use an air compressor. Most of the time a compressed force of air will work. If it does not, we recommend that you have your local sunroof technician unclog your drain tubes. If a mistake is made and your drain tubes detach, the water will run directly into your vehicle.

MANUAL or POP-UP (opened with a handle to vent) - When cleaning the frame around the glass (typically attached to the vehicle), use a clean damp lint free cloth as well. For smooth metal surfaces, a car wax can be used to keep the shine. Do not use car wax on any rough surface frames. This will cause the car wax to stick in the uneven areas leaving a chalky appearance. If accidently done when waxing your vehicle, use a soft scrub brush and water to clean.

To keep your glass looking it’s best, use a non-ammonia glass cleaner to wipe off solid debris and water spots. Use a second application following the same step and end using a dry cloth to wipe off any streak marks. Enjoy the clear view of the sky.

REPAIR AN AILING SUNROOF

There are two approaches to repairing a malfunctioning sunroof: the first is to fix what you've got, the second is to replace the whole unit. All the greasy bits of sunroofs live between the roof sheet metal and the headliner. Before you start pulling the car apart, find a place to work inside or check the weather forecast; being caught with a hole in the roof during a downpour wouldn't be fun. The first thing to try is removing the glass panel. If you can, tilt the sunroof panel to the "vent" position, which should give access to the screws holding the panel. Remove them, and with the sunroof glass off, you should gain access to the moving parts for an easy inspection. Look for cracked or stripped gears, a buildup of dirt and debris, or anything else that looks like a problem. With the glass panel still off, turn on the car and cycle the roof control through the open, close, and vent positions to identify problems.

MY SUNROOF LEAKS

Most power sliding sunroofs have a water management system, which prevents them from leaking. The water management system consists of a water trough that leads to drain tubes. These drain tubes route any water [that gets past the glass] down your front and rear pillars to the ground below your vehicle. Over time the water trough/drain tubes may become obstructed by leaves, dirt and other foreign substances, causing the water management system to back-up. It is important to check your drain trough and tubes regularly.  The trough can be cleaned with a wet rag, and the tubes with compressed air. This is the most common reason for a leaky factory sunroof. You can attempt the repair yourself or we can help by directing you to the nearest sunroof specialist.