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Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:10 am

Any one painted their top black?> please post as i am seriously considering this. Having to do some fiberglass work and wanting to refresh the look of my Ivory 81 :)

Thought was to clean/ prep/ and use Truck Bed liner....similar texture...

Cheers

Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:16 am

I've seen photos of vans with black tops so I know it's been done, but have you considered how much hotter the van will be with a black top?

Bedliner is fairly bulletproof, but will also add a fair amount of weight to the roof as well. Not terrible, but it will. Consider finding a tintable bedliner in a light color perhaps?

Fri Jul 01, 2011 8:22 am

Living in the interior of BC Canada,,,,i could probably use the added heat!...i can still see snow here :(..lol

As i have done my wheels, bumpers, grill, all in black i think this will tie it together....just would love to see a pic or 2 so i know visually what i may end up like!

Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:47 am

just post an image of your rig... I will paint it black for you to preview and decide you like it or not..

:D

Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:24 pm

here is a picture from Subagon.com with a black top.

note: the actual top of the roof is still white.

http://subagon.com/wp-content/gallery/cheetah/cheetah-ft.jpg

Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:37 pm

I don't think the fiberglass would like a black coating on it. Even though you're in BC, on a sunny summer day, a black top could start cooking and over time, it might break down the fiberglass. I know on composite airplanes, they almost always paint them white or a light color on the top surfaces to reduce the heat on the composites. Fiberglass boats always have white or light colored decks.

Just something to consider and look into before you make your decision.

I would look cool though.

Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:50 pm

the reptilehide bedliner kits (two part mix) is tintable to any color you want, costs about 180 bucks.

I am doing some selective stuff on my van in this.

Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:12 pm

Bedliner is a good idea.
However, if you looking for long term durability Interlux, or Petit roll, brush or spray on Marine deck & hull urethane would be a much better selection of refinishing materials than the bedliner.

Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:17 pm

Welchmaster wrote: here is a picture from Subagon.com with a black top.

note: the actual top of the roof is still white.

http://subagon.com/wp-content/gallery/cheetah/cheetah-ft.jpg
Think Land Rover Discovery...only ugly
A tintable bedliner would be perfect

Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:43 pm

The point I was trying to make is the marine refinishing urethane is a lot tougher than the bedliner.

Been down this road a couple of times, and have found the marine paint to be a better choice.

Fri Jul 01, 2011 11:33 pm

0to60in6min wrote: just post an image of your rig... I will paint it black for you to preview and decide you like it or not..

:D

I was bored so I did quick one:

Not the OP's van but same difference, yes? :P

Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:02 am

Bruce Wayne had a black pop top..

Here:s a thread:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=365248&start=0

Sat Jul 02, 2011 8:14 am

Sat Jul 02, 2011 8:34 am

Cheers Guys, ....Bruce, is your top back to white again...if so please let me know why you went back... ascetically IMO the blacklook amazing (basically doing my Bus black in all the zones you did)....although i do agree with the heat concerns....

My reasons for even doing this have to do with a large tree falling on my Westy ( when PO had it)...a few cracks and a poor fiberglass job is what i have now- next weekend i'm re-doing the fiberglass/seals/then going black for this year( but do i spray or Roll on....will try to do this will its on the bus also)

.....in the future i will prob buy a used top from Organic Mechanix here in BC....he has about 50 westy's in his yard :)....but he will want $$$$$$

Sat Jul 02, 2011 9:04 am

If you do decide to go black, TK's suggestion of using boat polyurethane (one-part, brushable or rollable) is a good one.

We had a boat with a black fiberglas hull. After 10 years or so, the black had faded to a rather grotty dark grey. Then we used the black polyurethane (with a brush) on the hull, and that brought it back to a nice, intense black.

Ten years later, it's still good and black. Worn off a bit here and there where fenders have rubbed against the dock and hull (long-term), but otherwise intact.

I think the brand we used was International "Interlux."

---
Kathy
88 Westy

Sat Jul 02, 2011 5:58 pm

lemonspeed wrote: Cheers Guys, ....Bruce, is your top back to white again...if so please let me know why you went back... ascetically IMO the blacklook amazing

when I bought it,it was black. the P.O. painted it black before he put it on. (it's a GL with the big sunroof,he bolted the top on over the sunroof.) wanted it to match the van better,and maybe keep it a little cooler in the summer. just touched up a couple of spots today as a matter of fact.