I painted my top (Black) earlier in the year and I have been very pleased with the results. You either like OD Green or you don't and I don't. You can't even tell this top used to be green. The SEM paint bounded great the vynal. The material acts no different from its original state for rolling it up and movement.
I have gotten a few scratches on it from Kanes Creek in Moab but nothing that you can't spray over to repair. You can buy SEM in rattle cans. It was very easy to paint too, I just used the Harbor Freight spray can. I would suggest this mod to anyone who doesn't like the color of there top.
Soft Top Paint
Moderator: TechMOGogy
I will be trying it...eventually. Right now, knock on wood, everything seems okay except the squatting position of my Pinz which I suspect is caused by the rear springs on the right side. I need to get the carbs cleaned up and the springs fixed first. Then, if there are extra funds I will try to recover/paint one corner at least to see how it turns out and if it works. I will post pics or report when it finally gets done. If anybody else does it first I would be very interested to see how it turns out. Thanks, Andy
I used Duplicolor Vinyl Dye (http://www.duplicolor.com/products/vinyl.html) available in spray can at Checker, NAPA, Autozone. It covers real good and does not crack when rolling up the sides. I went with black for the top and used grey on the rear seats, I was surprised that the top was not as hot as I thought it would be, even in the upper 90's last month in Moab. One thing to think about STPINZ, is that black shows off the dust a lot more, halfway through Kane Creek with all the dust (and very little water in the creek to keep the dust down) it looked pretty dirty...
I found it best to hang the top and spray it while it is vertical, just masked off the windows and since I was going to black, no need to remove the cord or straps.
Paul
I found it best to hang the top and spray it while it is vertical, just masked off the windows and since I was going to black, no need to remove the cord or straps.
Paul
Stpinz and Pbpinz, what did you do to prepeare the top? Did you use the Sandfree stuff from SEM? Did you wash the top first?
How many coats did it take to cover completely and about what was the drying time?
Does it hold up to water? Seems to me I remember that it could rain pretty hard up in Colorado. I don't get much rain, but this year we've had snow, ice, and are above our normal rainfall amount for the year by 6 inches already.
It is interesting to hear the black doesn't get too hot. Somewhat nebulously I think my long term goal is to have a desert tan Pinz, but I need it to be running right more than pretty. Thanks
Andy
How many coats did it take to cover completely and about what was the drying time?
Does it hold up to water? Seems to me I remember that it could rain pretty hard up in Colorado. I don't get much rain, but this year we've had snow, ice, and are above our normal rainfall amount for the year by 6 inches already.
It is interesting to hear the black doesn't get too hot. Somewhat nebulously I think my long term goal is to have a desert tan Pinz, but I need it to be running right more than pretty. Thanks
Andy
soft top paint
It states in the link for the duplicolor that it is for interior, so I am wondering how long it will last on exterior application.
Morris
Morris
About getting dirty....Thats just part of being on the trail. The more red Moab dirt I can get stuck the the vehicle the better. Its not that big of deal. In the summer you roll the sides up anyway...
To prep it, I got teh SEM soap and a prep cleaner that helped the paint bound to the vinyl. I painted mine flat on the fround in my driveway. It took one good coat and then one more quick go over just to thinken it up a little. It really looks like it was originally black except for the leather latches which I am planing on replacing soon anyway. I replaced the windows so I didn't worry about masking them off. With the new windows it looks like a new top.
I almost got the SEM stuff from here - http://www.tcpglobal.com/autobodydepot/sealcoat.aspx until I found out that the Sherwin Williams Auto Paint place in Salt Lake carried the stuff so I just got it there.
To prep it, I got teh SEM soap and a prep cleaner that helped the paint bound to the vinyl. I painted mine flat on the fround in my driveway. It took one good coat and then one more quick go over just to thinken it up a little. It really looks like it was originally black except for the leather latches which I am planing on replacing soon anyway. I replaced the windows so I didn't worry about masking them off. With the new windows it looks like a new top.
I almost got the SEM stuff from here - http://www.tcpglobal.com/autobodydepot/sealcoat.aspx until I found out that the Sherwin Williams Auto Paint place in Salt Lake carried the stuff so I just got it there.
Wimps Need Not Apply
I found the TCP place on the web earlier, after your other post. Sherwin Williams has a store in Del Rio so I may look there first.
Dust is just a fact of life where I live. I'm ecstatic if I can cut the amount that comes into the cab. I keep the tarp down over the grill headache rack and it helps somewhat. Taking the door tops off cuts it too.
Thanks for all the info.
Andy
Dust is just a fact of life where I live. I'm ecstatic if I can cut the amount that comes into the cab. I keep the tarp down over the grill headache rack and it helps somewhat. Taking the door tops off cuts it too.
Thanks for all the info.
Andy
For prep I just washed it real good, as for it being interior, we have a guy here in Denver that has had it on his top for two years and it looks fine. I checked that before I deceided to do mine.
STPINZ, we've got to hook up for some Moab runs, we're looking into a fall trip and if not that then a spring trip next year... We did 7 days the first week of June this year.
Paul
STPINZ, we've got to hook up for some Moab runs, we're looking into a fall trip and if not that then a spring trip next year... We did 7 days the first week of June this year.
Paul
Nice - How was it. 7 days is a long time in Moab. What did you guys do? We are planing a few trip in the fall. The first probibly the end of Septmeber/October. Those temps have to get down first. Dont know if it would be to fun with temps hiting the 110+ like they have been.pbpinz wrote: STPINZ, we've got to hook up for some Moab runs, we're looking into a fall trip and if not that then a spring trip next year... We did 7 days the first week of June this year.
Paul
Wimps Need Not Apply