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dieseltdi
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2006
Posts: 806
Location: Grapevine, Texas
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 Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2024 7:15 pm Post subject: Painting a hightop |
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I was just going to put this under my Coast Mt. Hightop install thread but thought that a broader reach was necessary. I have painted a number of camper pop tops using Rust-Oleum Topside paint. It is self leveling, durable and gives a nice finish. Thing is, those tops were old and rough so just making sure they were clean was pretty much all the prep you had to do. As those of you following my install thread know, the shipper damaged my hightop. It has chips, scratches, a few splits and other imperfections that I am going to have to fix. So here is my question...What grit sandpaper should I use to prep the gelcoat to receive the Topside paint? I am thinking since this is a new top, just hitting it with 220 and making sure it is perfectly clean of all release wax, polishes etcetera is all it will need in turns of prep. Of course repaired areas will get a bit of primer and sanded smooth. I know from reading other threads that people have painted their NAHTops. So, help a guy out before I do this wrong!!!!
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When a clown moves into a palace he doesn’t become a king, the palace instead becomes a circus. — Turkish proverb
Those who will willingly sacrifice freedom for security, deserve neither.
Currently:
1982 Vanagon Westy TDI conversion with Coast Mt. Hightop - SKYE
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV
2015 Golf Sportwagen S TDI
Way too many previously owned to list! |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 4772
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2024 7:31 pm Post subject: Re: Painting a hightop |
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Calling DuncanS. , Calling DuncanS. He’s a wealth of info on Fiberglass, being a son of son of a sailor … 
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 8765
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2024 9:35 pm Post subject: Re: Painting a hightop |
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I painted a lot of fiberglass racecar bodies in a past life, and 220 is what I did for the first coat of primer.
After first coat, 400 before a second coat, then 600 before paint, then if desired 2000 after paint, and polish.
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zerotofifty
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003
Posts: 4200
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| Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2024 10:16 pm Post subject: Re: Painting a hightop |
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| dieseltdi wrote: |
| I was just going to put this under my Coast Mt. Hightop install thread but thought that a broader reach was necessary. I have painted a number of camper pop tops using Rust-Oleum Topside paint. It is self leveling, durable and gives a nice finish. Thing is, those tops were old and rough so just making sure they were clean was pretty much all the prep you had to do. As those of you following my install thread know, the shipper damaged my hightop. It has chips, scratches, a few splits and other imperfections that I am going to have to fix. So here is my question...What grit sandpaper should I use to prep the gelcoat to receive the Topside paint? I am thinking since this is a new top, just hitting it with 220 and making sure it is perfectly clean of all release wax, polishes etcetera is all it will need in turns of prep. Of course repaired areas will get a bit of primer and sanded smooth. I know from reading other threads that people have painted their NAHTops. So, help a guy out before I do this wrong!!!! |
Your sequence of operations is out of wack, the degrease, dewax cleaning should be done BEFORE sanding commences. If you sand first, grease and wax residues will become trapped in the sanding scratches, folded over by the material. So do the cleaning first, then sand, then a final clean prior to paint.
Good Luck!!!
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DuncanS
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2013
Posts: 4583
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2024 7:21 am Post subject: Re: Painting a hightop |
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| dieseltdi wrote: |
| It has chips, scratches, a few splits and other imperfections that I am going to have to fix. |
Without photos of the damage, advice will be useless or wrong.
Duncan |
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dobryan 
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17307
Location: Brookeville, MD
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dieseltdi
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2006
Posts: 806
Location: Grapevine, Texas
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| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2024 9:26 am Post subject: Re: Painting a hightop |
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Thanks, that is exactly the information I was looking for! And yes, Dewan and degease first before paint!
_________________
When a clown moves into a palace he doesn’t become a king, the palace instead becomes a circus. — Turkish proverb
Those who will willingly sacrifice freedom for security, deserve neither.
Currently:
1982 Vanagon Westy TDI conversion with Coast Mt. Hightop - SKYE
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV
2015 Golf Sportwagen S TDI
Way too many previously owned to list! |
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intro
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2015
Posts: 152
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| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2024 6:17 pm Post subject: Re: Painting a hightop |
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| Would wet sanding be preferred to keep the dust down? |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17307
Location: Brookeville, MD
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dieseltdi
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2006
Posts: 806
Location: Grapevine, Texas
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| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2024 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: Painting a hightop |
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I will be using a mask, N95, and an orbital sander attached to my shop vac with about 2" of water in the bottom. Bought some degreaser and some denatured alcohol for the cleanup before the sanding. Intend to do degrease, alcohol and then repeat.
_________________
When a clown moves into a palace he doesn’t become a king, the palace instead becomes a circus. — Turkish proverb
Those who will willingly sacrifice freedom for security, deserve neither.
Currently:
1982 Vanagon Westy TDI conversion with Coast Mt. Hightop - SKYE
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV
2015 Golf Sportwagen S TDI
Way too many previously owned to list! |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 17943
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2024 7:26 pm Post subject: Re: Painting a hightop |
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my opinion is 220 is a bit coarse even though you're using a thick paint. are you looking for flat show car paint or 'roller' effect like on a westy top?
if you're going for show car, I'd do a final with 400 minimum. Bumpy roller finish, 220 would be fine especially with 2 coats
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dieseltdi
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2006
Posts: 806
Location: Grapevine, Texas
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| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2024 7:27 pm Post subject: Re: Painting a hightop |
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not going for car show look. A bit of texture is fine for me.
_________________
When a clown moves into a palace he doesn’t become a king, the palace instead becomes a circus. — Turkish proverb
Those who will willingly sacrifice freedom for security, deserve neither.
Currently:
1982 Vanagon Westy TDI conversion with Coast Mt. Hightop - SKYE
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV
2015 Golf Sportwagen S TDI
Way too many previously owned to list! |
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