Ok so it's been over 100 degrees the last few weeks, and on one of those lucky days a bird pooped on my white Insight. I didn't notice the Poop for almost a day which means the sun had a full day to burn the poo into my paint. I went to wipe the stuff off only to find it ate all the way through the clear coat After an hour of color sanding and polishing I managed to make it look better but now I have a quarter sized dull area to remind me of the stain.
I have secretly been thinking ever since I got my I2 of painting the entire roof black like the Prius model with the solar roof. It looks especially cool IMO on some of the European cars that come like this from the factory (Mercedes E350 with panoramic roof) & (Prius with Solar roof) etc... was thinking it might look perfect on my white I2 but am not sure. I have reason enough to do it as I hate looking at the roof now that I can see the dull area. Reason there is a dull area now is not from color sanding but from to high of speed on my palm buffer I should have backed down a bit but got impatient and slightly burned the area with the buffer.
I thought bird poo couldn’t eat through white paint and only dark colors like black, dark grey, blue, reds. I am wrong at least with this car. Just an FYI I used to own a black Jetta and almost anything that fell on the car on a hot day cooked through the paint. This is why all my cars are white today.
__________________ 2010 Honda Insight Ex-Nav, Spectrum Pearl White w/ dark blue interiorOE Mud-Guards, Trunk Tray, All-Weather Mats, Aftermarket Full Clear-Bra, Door Edge Guards and Bumper cover.
Funny, I never have a problem with bird poop etching on my black cars. The key is to put a good protective layer of wax or sealant on it. Collinite 845 works well for this purpose. A buffer in the hands of someone impatient or who doesn't know how to use one is a very dangerous thing! Sounds like you burned the clearcoat, which cannot be repaired properly without a complete repaint of that panel. On a rotary buffer, you must always keep the buffer moving, no matter what! We all make mistakes though--trust me, I've made horrible mistakes trying to make other cars "look" better.
I don't know about your spectrum pearl white, but my "washing machine white" base Insight seems to be a single stage paint with no clear coat. I suppose having a black roof would look kinda cool, but that would be kinda poser-ish. Let us know how it turns out!
I realize that 100+ temps are abnormal for your part of the world, but if you paint the roof black you're only going to make the cabin toasty warm. What is most important to you? A surface that might hide some imperfections or an excessively warm cabin (summer only... I think it would be nice in the winter!)?
first you have a white car. making the top black will only MAKE IT HOTTER! like some mentioned.
second you'll be ruining the value of the car by painting it with some shitty black coat.
The only thing i would consider if you really want to do something with the roof is install a full length rag top convertible.
the roof of the car is pretty much empty and it can be simply done.
Just look up some european cars that have it. it's actually very neat, atleast thats the only thing i feel the car could use if i was too modify the roof.
it just feels like it has beach car potential
The only thing i would consider if you really want to do something with the roof is install a full length rag top convertible.
the roof of the car is pretty much empty and it can be simply done.
Just look up some european cars that have it. it's actually very neat, atleast thats the only thing i feel the car could use if i was too modify the roof.
it just feels like it has beach car potential
If a tiny little burn mark is going to ruin your day, then an amateur black top will give you nightmares. The amount of time and trouble to professionally repaint the top black will be many times more than repairing that one spot.
I kinda think that since you've been thinking about a black top for a while, that this accident is an opportunity to pull the trigger.
If you want a black top, fine. I think you're kidding yourself if you are using bird poo to justify it.
You could try white carbon fiber vinyl wrap? If done right it would look very nice and not add any heat.
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2010 Honda Insight LX 35% tint K&N Air Filter
Eibach Pro Kit
15" Silver Enkei RPF1 with Michelin Hydroedge Green X
Mugen Zero Lift Body Kit / Mugen Ventilated Visors
Mugen Sport Exhaust
JDM Headlight Conversion HID/LED Upgrade
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Idea on painting roof?
After an hour of color sanding and polishing I managed to make it look better but now I have a quarter sized dull area to remind me of the stain. 
