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What do I use to paint the top?
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Garske
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PostPosted: Wed May 08, 2013 4:27 pm    Post subject: What do I use to paint the top? Reply with quote

Next month I’m going to take some time off from work and clean up some rust and paint my 87 westy. I’m plan on keeping it white, but my question is do I paint the pop top and with what? I’ve seen a LOT of posts on painting or treating pop tops, but most are focused on restoring just the pop top. I feel like I’ll have a few more options since I’ll have access to a sprayer while I paint the body.

So my question is do I use the same paint on the top as the body? It doesn’t seem like many are doing this, but it’s not clear if this is a bad idea or if it’s just because most are just restoring the pop top and not painting the entire van the same color. And if I do use a fiberglass specific paint like Interlux, do I run the risk of not matching up with the body color (looks like Interlux has more than one type of white)? It seems like most of the people using Interlux or something like it for their pop tops don’t have a white bodied van, so it didn’t really matter.

Research so far…
Paint Post: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=474609&highlight=paint+pop
Only one I found on painting with same paint: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427994&highlight=pop+paint
Pentrol post: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=314474&highlight=pentrol
Body/Paint forum (mostly non-matching tops): http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5...p;start=40
Interlux colors: http://www.yachtpaint.com/LiteratureCentre/topsides-colorcard-usa.pdf
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Bntbrl
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PostPosted: Thu May 09, 2013 6:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm going to be painting my van in the not too distant future. I can't decide to paint the pop top the same color as the body or not.

Interlux is more durable than base coat and clear. I'm a little more partial to taking the top off and using Interlux on it while I spray the van top. It would be best to paint the body all at once but I'm planning on painting in stages because my garage is too small for painting the van top and body.

You can use the same paint on the pop op as the body. There's a few on here I've seen done with base clear. It will scratch from limbs easier but that's about it really.
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dobryan
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PostPosted: Thu May 09, 2013 7:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I painted the top with the same paint I used on the body. I sanded the top first to remove any oxidized paint (don't sand into the fiberglass if you can help it) and then used an epoxy primer, base coat, clear coat...
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Azdeadhead
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PostPosted: Mon May 27, 2013 11:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've read that someone used marine paint, as they are both fiberglass, I plan on doing it soon
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Vango Conversions
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PostPosted: Mon May 27, 2013 11:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've used Interlux brightsides on wood and fiberglass boats and it's good paint but it is kind of soft compared to auto paint.

Personally I'd use the same automotive paint that you're going to use on the rest of the van. I think that on most, if not all, vanagons never had a clearcoat, but I may be wrong on that. a clearcoat will give you some more gloss but a single stage is easier to repair and touch up.

I'd make sure to do the proper prep on the fiberglass, lay down a fiberglass compatible primer, then paint everything with the same paint. That's the only way you'll have a perfect match.
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PDXWesty
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PostPosted: Mon May 27, 2013 12:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My poptop was painted to match the van with a base/clear coat. I couldn't be happier with the results. It will last for a very long time with little to no maintenance. Here's what it looked like after painting. There's a bit of a glare in the photo but you get the idea.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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djkeev
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PostPosted: Mon May 27, 2013 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I brushed my Interlux Brightside on last Winter.

Overall I'm pleased but if I had a "do over" card..... I'd probably spray during the warmer months.

I do not like monochromatic...... I like my contrast......
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Click on my build thread and links embedded in it to see what I did....
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Dave
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Chocolatewagon
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PostPosted: Tue May 28, 2013 8:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My top was looking pretty lousy, with fiberglass strands showing here and there and catching lots of dirt, so when I put a new tent on it, I used Petit EasyPoxy because I've also used it on my boat. Using the roll-and-tip method, it turned out very nicely and has lasted well so far.
Good luck!
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randywebb
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PostPosted: Tue May 28, 2013 12:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

some of you used automotive paint with no added flex agent?
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Tue May 28, 2013 2:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

randywebb wrote:
some of you used automotive paint with no added flex agent?


That's a pretty rigid chunk of Fiberglass, it isn't going to flex much.

Flex agents really weren't mainstream until the age of the plastic monochromatic bumpers in the late 70's early 80's........

Paint itself isn't totally rigid and has a degree of flexible properties to it.

If I had sprayed mine I'd not add it to the paint.

Dave
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dobryan
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PostPosted: Tue May 28, 2013 3:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

randywebb wrote:
some of you used automotive paint with no added flex agent?


Absolutely. That top has less flex in it than some body panels, especially door skins. Done two this way and never had an issue.
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nepawesty
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 6:28 pm    Post subject: Topside Reply with quote

Interlux for sure. Went on so easy. Only used a roller. And it looks so good.
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[/quote]

Plus a little sand paper, scotch brite and elbow grease.
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regis101
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 7:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I did one pop top a few years back. A stop at the Sherwin-Williams store dialed me in.
I told and showed them what I was working on.
They had a fiberglass primer of sorts and some other top paint that was designed for the elements. A small can of each, quarts probably, did the trick.
A trip to the car wash to blast off the barnacles.
Some light sanding to remove the fuzz.
Some primer.
Some paint.
Looked great.
Wouldn't hesitate to use their products again.
YMMV. Just sayin'
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I recently used a Rustleum boat paint on my top. Got it at Home Depot and rolled it on.
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Vango Conversions
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 12:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lots of different paints will work on fiberglas so long as the proper prep and primer are used. Interlux has proven to be a good paint and good results can be obtained with a roller so those without the equipment, space, or experience, can get good results with it.

Automotive paint also works just fine, so those who want a perfect match while painting the rest of the van should just use the same paint. Perfect match, same paint, done.

Other paints can work well. I'd be a little hesitant to use rustoleum, since it's made to be used on slightly rusted metal without a primer but hey, whatever works.
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jimeg
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 8:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is the Rustoleum product I used -

http://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-206999-Marine-Top...lass+paint

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Here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=578490


Last edited by jimeg on Sun Aug 11, 2013 10:21 am; edited 4 times in total
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kerrvert
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 9:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

We sprayed ours with Interlux and are very pleased with the result. Now if it would just cool off long enough for us to paint the rest of the car we could finish her off.
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Vanagon Nut
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 9:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's obviously a personal taste thing, but I much prefer the white top regardless of body colour.

I used Interlux. (edit: sanded, used roller/brush. Some spots of top repaired with fibreglass. Did not use primer. No issues.)

Of note, a local chain, "Cloverdale Paints" carries this product:

http://www.cloverdalepaint.com/contractor_professional/product.asp?code=111series

It's less money and by all accounts should work fine. I even used a little to touch up some spots over the Interlux. It adhered fine albeit not an exact colour match. If one of your local paint shops offers something similar, this might be a less expensive alternative. That said, using Interlux didn't exactly break the bank. Wink

Neil.
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K58
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 10:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just did my pop top last weekend with Rustoleum Marine Paint. Gets better reviews than most and for the price you can't beat it. Less than 2 quarts of primer and a roller. Prepped with 80 grit and a palm sander (gelcoat was bad) and used scotchbrite pads with tack cloth in between coats.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C025GA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

so far I'm impressed with the results.

oh yeah, replaced the seal for the luggage rack as it tore when I removed it to fix some fiberglass damage.



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PostPosted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 7:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jimeg wrote:
This is the Rustoleum product I used -



Hey jimeg, did you use the oyster white? I was looking at the whites and oyster white last night, and the oyster white looks like it has a lot of yellow to it. If so, do you have a picture of your van with the painted top?
I am prepping my top right now, and bought both the oyster and semi-gloss white to test them out.
My van is tan and brown, so I suspect either would work, but it sure would be nice to see how it looks.
Thanks
Eric
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