Restoring my faded black hard top

mateocubillos

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Connecticut
Looking to restore the super faded hardtop my TJ came with, I'm seeing good things about penetrol, but how should I go about it? It's like a gray/blue right now, wanting it to look all black
 

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Can't comment on penetrol as I have never used it. However, I did take a tan hardtop and scuffed it up using red scotch brite pads, cleaned it really well with acetone, and hit it with 3-4 coats of Krylon fusion paint. Turned out really well.

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Can't comment on penetrol as I have never used it. However, I did take a tan hardtop and scuffed it up using red scotch brite pads, cleaned it really well with acetone, and hit it with 3-4 coats of Krylon fusion paint. Turned out really well.

View attachment 323643View attachment 323644
That did come out great! I was kind of trying to avoid painting but I'd like to use the best resulting process and the most effective, so if that happens to be it I might have to consider that. Painting just seemed like a bigger task, but I could be wrong I don't know if and what prep goes into penetrol
 
I used the Flood Penatrol last year on a faded black top and it looks as good today as when I did it. Which is great! I simply brushed some on, left it sit a little while, and buffed it off with a micro fiber towel. You will be pleased with the results. I tried several other products on a small area of the top to no avail. I am sure you will like the results.
 
I used the Flood Penatrol last year on a faded black top and it looks as good today as when I did it. Which is great! I simply brushed some on, left it sit a little while, and buffed it off with a micro fiber towel. You will be pleased with the results. I tried several other products on a small area of the top to no avail. I am sure you will like the results.
How much did you need to use? Wondering what size to get
 
Not much. I think it was like a quart can or a little larger and I probably have half of it left. Put some on the Power Wagon fender flairs and spiffed them up also. Just clean your top good and apply.
 
Not much. I think it was like a quart can or a little larger and I probably have half of it left. Put some on the Power Wagon fender flairs and spiffed them up also. Just clean your top good and apply.

What did you clean it with to prep it for the penetrol?
 
You want to remove dirt and any loose oxidation. Anything which gives it a good scrub would probably be fine.

I scrubbed my hardtop with a Magic Eraser, then washed it to remove the Magic Eraser crumbles/dust, and let it dry over night. I used a cloth to wipe on the Penetrol in small sections, waited 2 or 3 minutes, and wiped it off. It only takes a little Penetrol, a quart is way more than enough. Two years later it still looks pretty good.
 
I’m a contractor so I work around paint products-

I was a little leery of the penetrol idea- Then I got my hands on some and I realized it was nothing more than urethane and probably Japan dryer designed to thin paint without compromising the finish-

So I gave it a shot and was 100% happy-

Basically you’re just putting a kiss coat of urethane on the top. I used a microfiber wax application I pad- Once top was clean the application did not take me 15 minutes

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Just do a light even coat.

Let it dry overnight and I would avoid washing for a few days.

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I’m a contractor so I work around paint products-

I was a little leery of the penetrol idea- Then I got my hands on some and I realized it was nothing more than urethane and probably Japan dryer designed to thin paint without compromising the finish-

So I gave it a shot and was 100% happy-

Basically you’re just putting a kiss coat of urethane on the top. I used a microfiber wax application I pad- Once top was clean the application did not take me 15 minutes

View attachment 474518

Just do a light even coat.

Let it dry overnight and I would avoid washing for a few days.

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Andy...did you need to tape anything off, or were you able to control it with the applicator? Looks great!
 
Andy...did you need to tape anything off, or were you able to control it with the applicator? Looks great!

I went totally free hand- even under the rack- flew with it

Nitrile gloves, and a pad with a sharp edge is key

They make a little deal at paint stores that’s about as big as a pack of cigarettes that has real real short bristles, like 1/8”
that would probably be perfect-


A sponge with a sharp square edge would work but you would have to be careful that you don’t introduce air bubbles

Lightest coat you can do is plenty- You can always go back and scuff and do another coat later

If you go heavy it will be inconsistent and can run- it is thin.

Stir it well prior too.
 
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Andy...did you need to tape anything off, or were you able to control it with the applicator? Looks great!

I would think one of these would be good if you don’t load it too heavy- stair guys use them

Remember don’t shake the can, but stir it so you don’t make it entrain air-

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If you keep a rag with just a little bit of WD-40 on it, You can take care of anything that you get on the window trim or whatever.
 
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