Been about a month since the last update to the ongoing saga that is Project Long Jeep Hard Roof Rehab, so here goes...
Last time I'd just finished up the major repair just behind the passenger door (missing chunks of SMC fiberglass), flipped the top (thanks again to my neighbor) and started work on the issues topside. Finished off the remainder of the filler work yesterday, today I applied two coats of primer/filler and started blocking it back.
Pleased with how all of the spot repairs turned out, though all of this is getting a bit more difficult since the temps dropped. Buddy heater to the rescue once again, but the garage is quite small and I don't like sanding with the door closed. Fortunately, the end of the repairs is in sight...
...but that means it's time for refinishing. I had planned on spraying it myself, but out of courtesy for the folks living in the unit above the garages, I'm considering having it sprayed by a shop instead. As a former body/paint tech, this is a painful decision for me but if feels like the right thing to do. They're nice people and I don't want to gas them out with catalyzed paint fumes.
Before the refinishing, I've got a rather major decison to make...to texture or not to texture, that is the question. I've been playing around with two different products, spraying test panels, and I think I can come pretty close to replicating the factory texture. Spot blending the texture is another matter entirely. @DuckNut had mentioned a friend of his repaired his top and sanded the thing smooth before re-texturing for a consistent finish. While not a bad idea, initially I was hoping to avoid sanding the entire top smooth, but that was before I started the topside repairs, which ended up being more extensive than originally planned. Since then, a third option has materialized. I happened upon @UND_Sioux's build thread, where he's building up a black crystal clearcoat LJ (not dissimilar to my Tessie) and he had his hardtop sanded smooth and base/clearcoated to match the body. While it would still involve sanding the whole shebang-a-bang-a smooth and require the repairs and prep work to be arrow straight (or else risk looking like shite), it would have the advantage of being a much more durable finish, and one that would be easier to maintain. I submit exhibits "Sioux1", "Sioux2" and "Sioux3" for your consideration...
I actually think it looks quite good, but then the old school Jeeper in me waffles on it ('cause it's supposed to be matte black textured, dummy), making the final decision as to which way to go harder. Interested in what the WTF flock sayeth...
My flares are needing some love as well, though I've been tempted to go full "Columbia Edition" and spray them in Graphite base/clear as opposed to the blackout job @UND_Sioux did...
Last time I'd just finished up the major repair just behind the passenger door (missing chunks of SMC fiberglass), flipped the top (thanks again to my neighbor) and started work on the issues topside. Finished off the remainder of the filler work yesterday, today I applied two coats of primer/filler and started blocking it back.
Pleased with how all of the spot repairs turned out, though all of this is getting a bit more difficult since the temps dropped. Buddy heater to the rescue once again, but the garage is quite small and I don't like sanding with the door closed. Fortunately, the end of the repairs is in sight...
...but that means it's time for refinishing. I had planned on spraying it myself, but out of courtesy for the folks living in the unit above the garages, I'm considering having it sprayed by a shop instead. As a former body/paint tech, this is a painful decision for me but if feels like the right thing to do. They're nice people and I don't want to gas them out with catalyzed paint fumes.
Before the refinishing, I've got a rather major decison to make...to texture or not to texture, that is the question. I've been playing around with two different products, spraying test panels, and I think I can come pretty close to replicating the factory texture. Spot blending the texture is another matter entirely. @DuckNut had mentioned a friend of his repaired his top and sanded the thing smooth before re-texturing for a consistent finish. While not a bad idea, initially I was hoping to avoid sanding the entire top smooth, but that was before I started the topside repairs, which ended up being more extensive than originally planned. Since then, a third option has materialized. I happened upon @UND_Sioux's build thread, where he's building up a black crystal clearcoat LJ (not dissimilar to my Tessie) and he had his hardtop sanded smooth and base/clearcoated to match the body. While it would still involve sanding the whole shebang-a-bang-a smooth and require the repairs and prep work to be arrow straight (or else risk looking like shite), it would have the advantage of being a much more durable finish, and one that would be easier to maintain. I submit exhibits "Sioux1", "Sioux2" and "Sioux3" for your consideration...
I actually think it looks quite good, but then the old school Jeeper in me waffles on it ('cause it's supposed to be matte black textured, dummy), making the final decision as to which way to go harder. Interested in what the WTF flock sayeth...
My flares are needing some love as well, though I've been tempted to go full "Columbia Edition" and spray them in Graphite base/clear as opposed to the blackout job @UND_Sioux did...
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I have a few pairs of shorts with rips in them from those damn hooks..
