Painting hard top

[sweld]

I know it's probably been beat to death but what's the best way to prep a hard top for paint, and what brand of paint is the best to use? It's happening in my garage and doing it myself so I'm not taking it to a professional shop.

Thanks Shawn


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[TJ4Jim]

I did my top in the garage also, I started by giving it a good power wash then I went over the entire top with a scotch brite pad and wiped it down with a cleaner de-greaser. I sprayed it with 2 coats of matte black spray paint and it turned out great. Not a difficult project.

 

[Chris]

I painted mind using SEM trim black paint.

I've talked to many a pro painter before, and all of them seem to agree that the SEM paint is the best quality paint you can get in a rattle can, hands down. I followed the same method that @TJ4Jim did. Mine has held up for years now without any paint fade or chips at all. I painted it from gray to black, and you'd honestly never know it didn't come this way from the factory. It looks that good!

 

[sweld]

Are there different grits of scotch brite pads?


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[Chris]

Are there different grits of scotch brite pads?


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Yes, there sure is. These ones will do the job just fine: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KYQBX0/?tag=wranglerorg-20

You want to rough the paint up that's on there, but assuming it's good paint, you only want to scuff it up, since it will serve as a perfect "primer" (so to speak) for the new paint to adhere to.

 

[JamesAndTheSahara]

I painted mind using SEM trim black paint.

I've talked to many a pro painter before, and all of them seem to agree that the SEM paint is the best quality paint you can get in a rattle can, hands down. I followed the same method that @TJ4Jim did. Mine has held up for years now without any paint fade or chips at all. I painted it from gray to black, and you'd honestly never know it didn't come this way from the factory. It looks that good!

Is this a paint that would hold up well on a bumper?

 

[TJ4Jim]

Also keep in mind the OEM finish is not smooth but rather like a stipple finish (bumpy surface) that give it a texture, so don't overdo the surface prep.

 

[Chris]

Is this a paint that would hold up well on a bumper?

Oh yeah, it works excellent on bumpers and fender flares. I've used it on all sorts of them over the years.

 

[PCO6]

I got half way through painting mine yesterday and ran out of paint! I knew that would happen and I planned to get more today any way. I wanted to get started because I did it outside and the weather was hot and there was no wind.

I agree, it's a pretty straight forward job. It's off my Jeep and I started by pressure washing it with clear water. I then wiped it down with acetone and scuffed it with a sponge sanding pad. I then blew off the dust with compressed air and followed up with a final wipe with acetone. I sprayed it with Duplicolor black trim paint (black satin matte finish). It will probably take 4 aerosol cans.

I'm very happy with the results so far. Pictures to follow.

 

[sweld]

Thanks guys. The inside looks due for a touch up to, should be able to just wipe it down and throw a coat on it? Seeing as it doesn't see any weather


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[bobthetj03]

Is this a paint that would hold up well on a bumper?

Works great on bumpers, flares and the hard top like Chris mentioned. I painted my flares and rear bumper with it and it's holding up quite well.

 

[JamesAndTheSahara]

Works great on bumpers, flares and the hard top like Chris mentioned. I painted my flares and rear bumper with it and it's holding up quite well.
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Nice! I've got some metal coming soon & need to get it covered .

 

[PCO6]

Works great on bumpers, flares and the hard top like Chris mentioned. I painted my flares and rear bumper with it and it's holding up quite well.
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I agree ...

 

[PCO6]

I finished painting my hardtop today and changed the colour from gray to black. It was pretty easy and I'm happy with the results. I think I'll wait a few days before I run it through the car wash.

 

[dylansalrin]

Noooooo! Those grey lj tops are rare [emoji29][emoji29]. It was worth a lot in grey...


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[Chris]

I finished painting my hardtop today and changed the colour from gray to black. It was pretty easy and I'm happy with the results. I think I'll wait a few days before I run it through the car wash.

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Did the same thing to mine. It was grey and I painted it black. It's held up for years now with no issue. I credit that to proper prep work and good quality paint.

 

[Michael Roberson]

I missed it sorry but what brand and type paint did you use?


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[cclarke802]

Any thoughts on using spray on bedliner?

 

[Tj04]

Any thoughts on using spray on bedliner?

Personally I'd use roll on Berliner. I feel you get a more even and controllable texture.

 

[PCO6]

Noooooo! Those grey lj tops are rare [emoji29][emoji29]. It was worth a lot in grey...


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I posted twice over the past year on our 2 local Jeep forums to ask if any one wanted to trade a black top for my gray one and there were no takers. I wanted black because I have half doors with black uppers and a gray top doesn't look good.

Ugh ...