TheSamba.com :: View topic - Westy pop top: Has anyone painted it to match the body color?

Mon Nov 27, 2023 8:22 am

If so, please post your photos. Thanks

Mon Nov 27, 2023 8:30 am

Do you mean the top or the canvas? Most tops are the same color as the body of the van, unless changed by the owner.

Mon Nov 27, 2023 8:37 am

Early Westys had white tops, maybe all of them.

Tjet’s asking about ones painted by the owner to match. I’ve seen plenty like that hereabouts, so bet some photos will come soon.

The challenge of course is getting a dead match, hard no matter what — and harder yet with metallics.

Mon Nov 27, 2023 8:58 am

I painted mine the same time as I repainted the bus. The white top area really keeps the temps down in the upper bunk area.

Mon Nov 27, 2023 9:09 am

I’ve always dug what you did there. 8)

Mon Nov 27, 2023 9:52 am

VW Flash Silver Matallic

Mon Nov 27, 2023 9:54 am

Yes. Cost was $500 for a two stage paint at Maaco. I did the prep to strip it and remove the luggage rack. Still looking great after 15 years.

Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:15 am

We had a 1984 top and partial roof grafted onto a 1987 tin top and painted to match. Top was originally white, which would have been fine, but it needed extensive refinishing. So, the expert installer suggested a body match paint so that's what we went with....Savannah Beige Metallic.

Mon Nov 27, 2023 7:43 pm

I asked for a textured look on the top but got a "sort of" smooth attempt. I didn't do the paint job, but its good from a distance. Still putting it back together.

Tue Nov 28, 2023 1:12 pm

dobryan wrote: I painted mine the same time as I repainted the bus. The white top area really keeps the temps down in the upper bunk area.

That looks good. Do you have another pic of the luggage rack area?

The black seal looks painted too.

Sat Dec 02, 2023 8:00 am

2.1lDJ Black westfalia T3 poptop with Tony Shick Turbo conversion, projektZwo foglights, porsche D90 wheels,

The black has a tiny metalflake metallic in it that is quite subtle. Bumpers and side skirts are colour matched. It looks fantastic closeup.. It is also totally impractical for camping in the south of france in in the summer, unless you can find copious shade from trees :)
I have thought through the idea of a white clip on or stretch fit cover for the pop top when camping - like fitted sheets for a mattress - but this kinda defeats the point of rolling in the only black camper on the campsite...

Sat Dec 02, 2023 8:13 am

tjet wrote: dobryan wrote: I painted mine the same time as I repainted the bus. The white top area really keeps the temps down in the upper bunk area.

That looks good. Do you have another pic of the luggage rack area?

The black seal looks painted too.

I painted the luggage rack the same way. Body color sides and a couple inches onto the top. The center section is white.

The black seals were not painted. I think the awning case is what you are seeing. I painted it to match the body color.

Sat Dec 02, 2023 8:13 am

akciddento wrote:

2.1lDJ Black westfalia T3 poptop with Tony Shick Turbo conversion, projektZwo foglights, porsche D90 wheels,

The black has a tiny metalflake metallic in it that is quite subtle. Bumpers and side skirts are colour matched. It looks fantastic closeup.. It is also totally impractical for camping in the south of france in in the summer, unless you can find copious shade from trees :)
I have thought through the idea of a white clip on or stretch fit cover for the pop top when camping - like fitted sheets for a mattress - but this kinda defeats the point of rolling in the only black camper on the campsite...
What a freaking cool van, avatar, and website!

If you’re dialed in to the Brands Hatch crowd, say Hello to my friend Tim Murray from your town. 8)

Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:37 am

dobryan wrote: tjet wrote: dobryan wrote: I painted mine the same time as I repainted the bus. The white top area really keeps the temps down in the upper bunk area.

That looks good. Do you have another pic of the luggage rack area?

The black seal looks painted too.

I painted the luggage rack the same way. Body color sides and a couple inches onto the top. The center section is white.

The black seals were not painted. I think the awning case is what you are seeing. I painted it to match the body color.

Looks clean. I like it.

E1 wrote: akciddento wrote:

2.1lDJ Black westfalia T3 poptop with Tony Shick Turbo conversion, projektZwo foglights, porsche D90 wheels,

The black has a tiny metalflake metallic in it that is quite subtle. Bumpers and side skirts are colour matched. It looks fantastic closeup.. It is also totally impractical for camping in the south of france in in the summer, unless you can find copious shade from trees :)
I have thought through the idea of a white clip on or stretch fit cover for the pop top when camping - like fitted sheets for a mattress - but this kinda defeats the point of rolling in the only black camper on the campsite...
What a freaking cool van, avatar, and website... 8)

I agree 8)

Sat Dec 02, 2023 4:34 pm

On the Duffey Lake Road:

In Moab:

Wed Dec 06, 2023 2:35 pm

E1 wrote: akciddento wrote:

2.1lDJ Black westfalia T3 poptop with Tony Shick Turbo conversion, projektZwo foglights, porsche D90 wheels,

The black has a tiny metalflake metallic in it that is quite subtle. Bumpers and side skirts are colour matched. It looks fantastic closeup.. It is also totally impractical for camping in the south of france in in the summer, unless you can find copious shade from trees :)
I have thought through the idea of a white clip on or stretch fit cover for the pop top when camping - like fitted sheets for a mattress - but this kinda defeats the point of rolling in the only black camper on the campsite...
What a freaking cool van, avatar, and website!

If you’re dialed in to the Brands Hatch crowd, say Hello to my friend Tim Murray from your town. 8)

thank you very much ! - I have a double slider 'race bus' and a doka but the black westie is special - and the options list is ridiculous, oettinger brakes, long range fuel tank, electric everything, ABS, etc etc

Mon Jul 08, 2024 5:07 pm

GreggK wrote:
I asked for a textured look on the top but got a "sort of" smooth attempt. I didn't do the paint job, but its good from a distance. Still putting it back together.
After a few months with the color matched top, the paint is peeling in multiple spots, due to lack of experience on the "painters" part. Also the darker color up there gets VERY hot. No matter how much I like the look, I'll probably be going to a beige, white or even just paint the flat area white like dobryan did.

Mon Jul 08, 2024 6:03 pm

That just sucks, Damn. Can’t help but think the painter used the white paint as “primer,” otherwise paint would likely be falling off the van, too.

The worst of it is to paint it again, you really should DA or block sand off nearly every speck of the color.

I rolled ours with an oil-base gloss enamel, with a small roller of about 4” for the sides, and a regular size (12”) for the open roof areas. Three coats, lightly sanded between, on three successive days.

Mon Jul 08, 2024 6:13 pm

Our rig, with the Davo Blue factory colour on the poptop also geys very hot up top. We will have to paint the portion Dave O'Bryan painted white at some point. :(

Mon Jul 08, 2024 6:21 pm

Research heat / IR rejecting paint. Go white