Black Pop Top Pictures?

[lemonspeed]

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
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Instagram : @overland_van
90 Vanagon Carat "domino"
81 Westfalia (sold) "clemintine"
73 Transporter (sold) "chloe"
80 Vanagon (sold) "brownie"

[1621]

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?
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'85 Westy

[lemonspeed]

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!
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Instagram : @overland_van
90 Vanagon Carat "domino"
81 Westfalia (sold) "clemintine"
73 Transporter (sold) "chloe"
80 Vanagon (sold) "brownie"

[0to60in6min]

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

[Welchmaster]

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
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90 2wd Orly Blue Multivan weekender. "Van-Duzer"

"Further up, further in!"

[Vango Conversions]

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.

[purplepeopleeater]

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.

[Terry Kay]

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.
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T.K.

[K58]

[Terry Kay]

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.
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T.K.

[kamzcab86]

[j_dirge]

Bruce Wayne had a black pop top..

Here:s a thread:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=365248&start=0
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-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.

-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5

[Bruce Wayne]

[lemonspeed]

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 $$$$$$
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Instagram : @overland_van
90 Vanagon Carat "domino"
81 Westfalia (sold) "clemintine"
73 Transporter (sold) "chloe"
80 Vanagon (sold) "brownie"

[One more islander...]

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

[Bruce Wayne]