Painted My Fiberglass Pop-Up Topper-yet another thread(pics)

[Manfreds78bay]

Hi everyone,

I know this topic has been covered a lot, but I thought I'd throw in a new one just to keep it updated.

Going to install a new canvas and thought I might as well pain the topper while I'm at it. FYI 1978 Westy.

Step 1. Removed the canvas. I started from the front and worked back. Easy and it's been covered on here.

Step 2. Un-bolt the topper. I've seen threads where people have painted the topper in place. I'm not sure how they did this without getting pain everywhere. Knowing that I'm a clutz, I opted to take it off. I started at the rear. Make sure to unbolt the topper from the hinges. I quickly found out that if you unbolt the hinges from the bus, you will need to realign the topper. There are 6 nuts, three on each side (10mm). Then I closed the topper and unbolted the front supports. You should tie down the supports as they are spring loaded before removing the topper.

Step 3: Remove the topper This is really a two or three person job. The topper isn't that heavy, but it's awkward. I removed it by myself and my only saving graces was I removed it with the Yamkima rack still on the top. It gave me something to hold on to.

Step 4. Prep and Paint. I sanded with an electric hand sander (a must) with 150 grit. Cleaned with mineral spirits. then painted. I used Behr Marquee Pearl White from Home Depot with a 6 inch roller. I used two coats. I waited 24 hours between coats and sanded with a 220 girt before the second coat.

First coat

Second coat

I plan to install tonight with new seals. Then work on the luggage rack. Nothing new under the sun here, but I know when I search I like to see how a couple different folks did it. I will update with pics once the luggage rack is on.
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1978 2.0L FI Campmobile

1982 AMC Eagle SX4 4.2L FI

[stiltwalker39]

I did my top this week also. I used a Rust-Oleum Product for boats. The top was in bad shape as it sat under a tree for 15 years, It was a mess, I presure washed it and it didn't look much better. I removed the top, sanded on it for 5 hrs or more, The next day primed it twice and sanded it again between coats, Man all this sanding sucks!!!!! Today I put the 1st of two coats of paint on and its looking great. I will have to sand it again in the morning before the last coat. I used a HVLP sprayer. It looks great, slick, smooth and almost as good as the original. We we see how the last coat looks.

My wife Debby and I started the body work today and hope to paint the bus in an off white in the next week or so. Not tying to make a show bus, just a nice one. I don't like paying people to do anything. I will save that money for bus parts. See link below for the paint info.

https://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=4

[Manfreds78bay]

Looks great. Mounted mine on yesterday with new seals. I'm working on the luggage rack now. Should have my first coat on tonight.
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1978 2.0L FI Campmobile

1982 AMC Eagle SX4 4.2L FI

[plj7473]

Rolled mine with machine paint, did so well painted my F150 Topper too. All for less then $50.00

[Manfreds78bay]

Thought I would give an update and some before an after pics. After I painted the top, I installed some new seals, decals, as well as, a new canvas from Busdepot.

I thought the paint turned out well for a roll on job. There are a couple of runs I spotted. But it looks a hell of a lot better. I'm sure I could have done a better job, but my bus is what it is.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Co Pilot: Fletcher

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1978 2.0L FI Campmobile

1982 AMC Eagle SX4 4.2L FI

[eche_bus]

That's a big improvement! Looks great! I need to do the same thing, but it looks like it'll be next year at the rate things are coming along.