What causes these 2 lines on a car roof?

Mull3t · 2 Feb 2009 at 14:40

So, its a little quiet here at work today, so I have gone and drawn a diagram, in hope I can get an answer to something thats been puzzling me for a while now...

Check the drawing

Last night, I looked out of my window, and noticed that when they was a thin layer of snow on a car, you could clearly see 2 lines in the middle of the roof of the car..

Now, my theory and a few here at work is that, its something to do with different structure of the roof, that maybe is a diff temp...but baring in mind this also was visable on my car, which had been left stationary all day.

Just looked outside as the snow started to fall again, and I could see it on nearly all the cars in the carpark.

Noo doubt someone will be able to clear this up for me

Confused · 2 Feb 2009 at 14:47

That's where the roof support bars are attached to the main roof skin on the inside, above the headlining.

Lashout_UK · 2 Feb 2009 at 14:48

Reinforcing spar underneath

Mull3t · 2 Feb 2009 at 14:51

Would these be a different temperture? and cause the snow not to settle on that part?

beermonster · 2 Feb 2009 at 14:52

Its for fixing police lights to it

Confused · 2 Feb 2009 at 14:53

Mull3t said:
Would these be a different temperture? and cause the snow not to settle on that part?

It's additional material, so it wouldn't heat/cool at the same rate as the rest of the roof, hence the different levels of snow settling.

Berger · 2 Feb 2009 at 14:54

Mull3t said:
Would these be a different temperture? and cause the snow not to settle on that part?

Perhaps, if the heat from the heaters in the car is held in trim there for longer than the rest of the chassis.

deko · 2 Feb 2009 at 14:54

absolutely no idea, is it maybe a slightly different height at these 2 points, because of some kind of support?

the other shape ive noticed on a snowed car is the big circles of melted snow on the roof above where the interior lights are, look kinda cool.

Mull3t · 2 Feb 2009 at 14:56

It seems to be what I original thought, that it would be some sort of different structual bars..

ChrisD. · 2 Feb 2009 at 15:21

MS Paint for the win! lol

Nor · 2 Feb 2009 at 15:23

It's like one of those mad digital illusions

Keep thinking it's a sofa.

djbenjo · 2 Feb 2009 at 16:59

Confused said:
It's additional material, so it wouldn't heat/cool at the same rate as the rest of the roof, hence the different levels of snow settling.

This, imo

I've noticed this a fair few times before too

Mull3t · 2 Feb 2009 at 17:44

MilanoChris said:
MS Paint for the win! lol

Agreed

schumi84 · 2 Feb 2009 at 17:58

Cut and Shut imo

Skeeter · 2 Feb 2009 at 18:15

schumi84 said:
Cut and Shut imo

Indeed. What kind of dodgy business does the OP work for!

slowrunner · 2 Feb 2009 at 18:43

Yep, roof support bar, there to stop the roof panel flexing about. If it wasn't there the roof would pop up and down like the lid of one of those sandwhich paste jars, you know those that say if lid can be depressed please reject?

[Robster] · 2 Feb 2009 at 20:10

Cat.

Jumped on the roof, skidded right across because of the snow, fell off the other side.

Mull3t · 2 Feb 2009 at 20:20

[Robster];13413592 said:
Cat.

Jumped on the roof, skidded right across because of the snow, fell off the other side.

LOL

mjt · 2 Feb 2009 at 20:24

most likely support bars due to the sunroof option on the mini which is in 2 parts, thereby not allowing an X

fullspizz · 3 Feb 2009 at 07:37

You have someone skiing in the area with an elastic band around their knees who just happens to love taking shortcuts across car roofs.