Jeep Wrangler TJ Full Electric Conversions

Cracked hardtop repair question

06TJ35's

06TJ35's

TJ Addict
Original poster
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2018
Messages
2,607
Location
Los Angeles, CA, USA
I'm looking at a hardtop listed for $350 but its cracked on top of the rear window and some inside cracks(see link) it's cracked where all the white tape is at. Should I even attempt at repairing it? I never did any type of bodywork what so ever but not afraid to try.
If it is repairable would this smc fiber glass filler be enough 8oz. ?
https://www.eastwood.com/usc-garage...I3oneq_6H3wIVl4RpCh29wAznEAQYASABEgIZUPD_BwE#
Would this be all I need to make the repair?
A list of supplies to make the repair would be what im looking for if its worth repairing if not just say dont buy it.


https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/pts/d/jeep-tj-hardtop/6759145769.html
 
Last edited:
Link works for me. That's a lot of cracks to repair. They can be, it's up to you whether it's worth your time. For $350, (and I'd bet they'd take an offer), your call.
 
glwood said:
Link works for me. That's a lot of cracks to repair. They can be, it's up to you whether it's worth your time. For $350, (and I'd bet they'd take an offer), your call.
Click to expand...
I was defiantly thinking of giving him an offer if I decided to buy.
 
Expired link for me too.

I picked up a cracked top a month or two ago. I repaired it with the USC SMC Repair which was pretty easy to work with (Ive never done any sort of body work before). I dont know the damage of the one you posted but if it is cracked all the way thru it may take an actual fiberglass and resin to repair on both sides. The USC is just a filler basically. Depends on how much work you want to put into it.

IMG_3073[1].webp


IMG_3074[1].webp


IMG_3086[1].webp


IMG_3131[1].webp


IMG_3132[1].webp
 
Last edited:
tworley said:
Expired link for me too.

I picked up a cracked top a month or two ago. I repaired it with the USC SMC Repair which was pretty easy to work with (Ive never done any sort of body work before). I dont know the damage of the one you posted but if it is cracked all the way thru it may take an actual fiberglass and resin to repair on both sides. The USC is just a filler basically. Depends on how much work you want to put into it.
Click to expand...

From what I can tell in the pictures the cracks don’t seem to be as big as the ones you posted at least from what I can tell. I might have to tell him if he can take better pictures of the cracks.
 
Cracks don't appear to awfully bad, hard to tell from the grainy pictures though. Doesn't seem too bad, my concern would be any weight from the rear glass causing future issues if your fiberglass skills are not great.
I'd start at $150 and go from there.
Tworly's example is good, you need to clean out the garbage and make a clean solid base for the material to adhere/fill to or the cracks will continue under your new material.
Get a sander, face masks, something to cover your clothes. You don't want fiberglass on your skin/lungs/eyes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 06TJ35's
S.McArthur said:
Cracks don't appear to awfully bad, hard to tell from the grainy pictures though. Doesn't seem too bad, my concern would be any weight from the rear glass causing future issues if your fiberglass skills are not great.
I'd start at $150 and go from there.
Tworly's example is good, you need to clean out the garbage and make a clean solid base for the material to adhere/fill to or the cracks will continue under your new material.
Get a sander, face masks, something to cover your clothes. You don't want fiberglass on your skin/lungs/eyes.
Click to expand...

I think my friend works at a body shop doing body work I can see if he would be willing to help me. I did hear fiberglass is a PITA if it gets on you . $150 sounds like a good starting point I don’t wanna pay more than $250 for it I sourced out a rear window for $50. In total I would like to spend $400 or less to repair this . Does the $400 seem ideal for the cost of the top and repair?
 
SIde window or rear window? Rear windows new are expensive, $50 is great, side window cost me $75.
You saw mine, I go that for $250 and had I looked harder and noticed how damaged it was, I wouldn't have bought it.
$250 probably wouldn't be a bad price for the one you're looking at. I think you could get finished under $400. Time/materials are where your cost is. If your friend works free, go for it and learn something.
Take your time though;
never-half-ass-two-things-whole-ass-one-thing.webp
 
S.McArthur said:
SIde window or rear window? Rear windows new are expensive, $50 is great, side window cost me $75.
You saw mine, I go that for $250 and had I looked harder and noticed how damaged it was, I wouldn't have bought it.
$250 probably wouldn't be a bad price for the one you're looking at. I think you could get finished under $400. Time/materials are where your cost is. If your friend works free, go for it and learn something.
Take your time though;
Click to expand...

Rear window. Correct if i buy the top for $250 rear window $50 materials maybe $50 I’ll say ? That’s $350 if my friend is willing to help I’ll proably give him some money for helping me $50 maybe haha
 
Last edited:
Would the 8oz smc fiber glass that I post the link of be enough for the rapair? I can buy two if not there just $10 for 8oz

I seen another one for $50 for 10ozz
 
If you can find a rear window for $50 go for it. I looked high and low and ended up paying $250 for one on Ebay. Ive got $375 into mine so I figured it was worth it to repair. I'll probably sell it next year.

The repairs I did on mine I only used one 8oz bag of filler. I bought two though just in case.
 
tworley said:
If you can find a rear window for $50 go for it. I looked high and low and ended up paying $250 for one on Ebay. Ive got $375 into mine so I figured it was worth it to repair. I'll probably sell it next year.

The repairs I did on mine I only used one 8oz bag of filler. I bought two though just in case.
Click to expand...
Did you just use usc smc fiberglass and not smc resin with fiber glass strips ? I assume their two different types of SMC?
Everything Sounds good. I’m buying two just in case. When you sell it how much would you ask for ? I may grow out of the top or it may have to go for new jeep parts and thinking how much I can sell it in the future. One thing that comes to mind is cars that have been body worked on they still ask a pretty penny.
 
06TJ35's said:
Did you just use usc smc fiberglass and not smc resin with fiber glass strips ? I assume their two different types of SMC?
Everything Sounds good. I’m buying two just in case. When you sell it how much would you ask for ? I may grow out of the top or it may have to go for new jeep parts and thinking how much I can sell it in the future. One thing that comes to mind is cars that have been body worked on they still ask a pretty penny.
Click to expand...

I only used the USC SMC Fiberglass filler that you linked in your first post. The cracks in mine were not to bad, minus the one big one (which didnt go thru the entire top) . I was able to put a backer (tin foil) on the bigger crack and then worked the filler into it. So far it has held up. I plan to re-do it as I have several low spots.

Im not sure what I will ask for it. A good condition top in these parts can fetch $900 pretty easily.
 

Similar threads

M
SMC hard top repair
Replies
0
Views
1,102
TJ General Discussion
Mercury
M
jgaz
Jeep Wrangler TJ Hard Top Repairs
Replies
64
Views
46,084
TJ How-to Guides
speeding_infraction
speeding_infraction
bedhed
Interior Maintenance Restoration and Repair
Replies
226
Views
93,093
TJ Resources
NCLife
NCLife
Top Bottom
Back